The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes two distinct clinical diseases: varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Heberden first differentiated the two diseases in 1767, when he called chickenpox varicella, a diminutive form of the Latin variola (smallpox). The derivation of the term chickenpox is less clear. Some state that it derives from the Old English word gican, which meant “itch” and is pronounced with a soft g. Most authorities, however, believe that the allusion is to the chickpea, pois chiche in French.<sup>57Plotkin S.A. Clinical and pathogenic aspects of varicella-zoster Postgrad Med J 1985 ;  61 (suppl 4) : 7

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> When sliced in half and laid on a pink-colored disc, the chickpea bears a remarkable resemblance to the characteristic erythematous vesicles seen in chickenpox.<sup>48Lerman S.J. Why is chickenpox called chickenpox? Clin Pediatr 1981 ;  20 : 111 [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> Herpes comes from the Greek herpes, “to creep.” The terms zoster and shingles derive from the respective Greek and Latin terms zoster and cingulum, for the “girdle”-like dermatomal distribution of the rash.

Weller and Stoddard<sup>74Weller T.H., Stoddard M.B. Intranuclear inclusion bodies in cultures of human tissue inoculated with varicella vesicle fluid J Immunol 1952 ;  68 : 311

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> first isolated virus in tissue culture from vesicle fluid of chickenpox and zoster in 1952. The viruses recovered were identical, and the name varicella zoster virus was given to the agent.