Chickenpox is a type of herpes virus also known as varicella zoster. It usually affects children but can also strike adults. Victims can develop hundreds of red, itchy, liquid-filled spots on the skin. These symptoms are often preceded by stomachache, fever and headache. It is normally a self-resolving virus that disappears within a couple of weeks. Adults are at risk of serious complications from the chickenpox virus.
Cerebellar Ataxia
The U.S. National Library of Medicine explains that one possible complication of chickenpox is cerebellar ataxia. This is a brain disorder that causes muscular incoordination. Symptoms may include an unsteady gait that causes difficulty walking and decreased muscle tone. Speech and visual disturbances may also be present. Treatment and close monitoring is required. Recuperation can take two months or longer.
Meningoencephalitis
Another brain disorder an adult may face when infected with chickenpox is meningoencephalitis. The individual often becomes confused and suffers neck pain, intolerance to light and headache. Seizures are possible. Medical treatment and monitoring should be sought for meningoencephalitis. This condition normally improves within a few days.
Pneumonia
Adults with chickenpox are at risk of varicella pneumonia. This happens when the virus makes its way to the lungs. Respiratory failure and death are not uncommon and hospitalization is usually required to control the progression of the illness.
Skn Infections
Bacteria or other organisms may enter the skin while the chickenpox blisters are present. This complication may be mild or serious, depending on the invading germ and the individual's immune system status. Staph and strep are two common offenders and the greatest risk occurs if they are allowed to get into the bloodstream causing a systemic infection. These infections usually require drug treatment, typically oral or intravenous antibiotics.
Fetal Harm
A pregnant woman who contracts chickenpox while pregnant is at a high risk of having a baby with serious complications. The Directors of Health Promotion and Education says that a baby can be stillborn or have birth defects as a result of this exposure.
Shingles
Adults who have had chickenpox in the past may develop shingles, a complication in which itchy skin lesions develop. Severe pain may accompany these lesions due to nerve involvement. Some adults with shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia, a condition in which the pain continues even after the lesions go away. In those with a compromised immune system, the virus may spread throughout the body, affecting the internal organs and causing fever. Treatment for shingles is often required.
References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Chickenpox
- Directors of Health Promotion and Education: Chickenpox
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing;" Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
