Varicella and shingles are infectious diseases caused by the Herpes family virus – the Varicella zoster virus. Varicella is a primary infection, while shingles is the reactivation of this infection. Also, epidemiologically, these diseases differ from each another: varicella is characterised by seasonality and occurrence in younger age groups, whereas shingles occurs in the elderly, regardless of the season. The diagnosis of diseases is based on skin lesions – erythematous spots, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. In varicella, the changes look like a polymorphic rash, in shingles, they usually occur one after the other. There is a possibility of prevention of both varicella and shingles. In Poland, two vaccines against varicella are available: mono- and polyvalent. In exceptional situations, specific immunoglobulins can be administered in a hospital ward.