Severe viral infection Severe varicella zoster infection 2018-12-16T15:12:18Z 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.