Varicella affects several million U.S. residents annually and is usually a self-limiting illness.
Adults have higher morbidities and mortalities than children.
Immigrants from tropical and subtropical climates are less likely to be infected as children, thereby resulting in greater susceptibility as adults. Increased use of varicella vaccine in children and susceptible adults, particularly in the immigrant population, will decrease the number of cases and should also decrease the associated morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a Guaynese man who had resided in the United States for 14 years and who was the fifth person in his household to contract varicella. All of the cases were limited to cutaneous involvement, with the exception of the son, who died as a result of pneumonitis. None of the patients received antiviral therapy before hospitalization.