Chicken pox is an infectious disease which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that is responsible for causing shingles in adults. According to MayoClinic.com, It is highly infectious and can spread from direct contact or through the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes. A person with chicken pox is contagious one to two days before the rash appears until the time all the blisters have formed crusts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even with one dose of chickenpox vaccination, about 15 to 20 percent of people can get infected if exposed to the virus. Although chicken pox in adults rarely leads to any serious complications, in some cases it can lead to bacterial skin infections, pneumonia and encephalitis.
Bacterial Skin Infections
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Group A streptococcus bacteria can cause bacterial super infection of the skin and is the most common complication of chicken pox in adults. These infections are usually mild in nature. However, if the bacteria spread to the deep muscles, to the fat or to the bloodstream, it can prove to be dangerous. The common symptoms of these bacterial skin infections include a persistent high fever and a redness, pain or inflammation in the skin and the tissues under the skin.
Pneumonia
According to MayoClinic.com, adults with chicken pox are also at risk of developing pneumonia. This is a respiratory condition that leads to an inflammation in the lungs. Pregnant women, smokers, people suffering from respiratory conditions, and those with weak immune systems are especially at risk of developing pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by adult chicken pox can occur as a bacterial infection of the lungs. It may also occur directly as a result of the virus, varicella zoster that causes chicken pox. The common symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fevers with chills, and difficulty in breathing.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is a rare but serious complication from adult chicken pox, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This is an irritation and inflammation of the brain that can develop as a secondary infection in adult chicken pox. The virus in this case spreads to the brain, causing swelling in the brain tissues, bleeding in the brain, and brain damage. Symptoms of encephalitis include clumsiness, unsteady gait, and confusion, loss of coordination, poor balance, and disorientation.
