Severe varicella zoster infection

What it means

An unusually severe form of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. In the majority of the cases, especially in children, varicella is a very mild infection characterized by skin lesions, low grade fever and malaise. Severe infection is characterized by manifestations including VZV pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, and disseminated varicella.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is one of eight herpes viruses known to cause human infection and is distributed worldwide. Varicella zoster infections are considered to be mild and ubiquitous infections predominantly affecting the pediatric population. However, in adults and in specific groups of patients, such as those who are immunosuppressed, varicella infections can be fulminant and life threatening.

Rare diseases that can present with this6

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Disseminated herpes zoster · Severe herpes zoster · Severe zoster infection