Abstract
In years past, astute clinicians observed that adults who acquired herpes zoster almost invariably denied having had varicella (chickenpox) during childhood. A link between the two diseases was therefore postulated, and both were assumed to be viral diseases. In 1953, Weller<sup>1</sup>isolated virus particles from varicella and zoster vesicular lesions and confirmed the identity of the varicella-zoster (HZ) virus. It is assumed that adults who develop herpes zoster are hypoimmune and not totally unsusceptible to HZ virus. Varicella of childhood is usually, but not always a mild, highly contagious disease. The same cannot be said for adults in whom the disease usually is severe and is frequently complicated by varicella pneumonia. Cimons et al<sup>2</sup>report such a case in which truly heroic measures were needed to ensure survival. An exception to the rule of mildness in childhood varicella is found in a report by Hook et al.<sup>3</sup>
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