ABSTRACT
Two different clinical syndromes, varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles), are caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a unique virus with a worldwide distribution. Typically a self-limited disease of childhood, primary infection with varicella is characterized by a pruritic rash. Predominantly a disease affecting adults, herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of the latent virus. The pain associated with active zoster infection and following zoster infection may lead to significant impairment in affected persons. Varicella and zoster in immunocompromised patients can often be severe and significant conditions.
