Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella virus. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, stomachache and a characteristic rash of small, red, fluid-filled blisters called pox. Past generations of children would miss up to a week of school due to this highly contagious disease. The development of a safe, effective vaccine in recent years, however, prevents most children from acquiring chickenpox. Complications from chickenpox can arise in children and adults who are infected.
Infection
The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus online encyclopedia lists bacterial infections, usually resulting from little fingers scratching at itchy pox, as the most common complication from chickenpox. This may lead to scarring as well.
Encephalitis
Encephalitis is listed by MedlinePlus as the most serious complication from chickenpox. Encephalitis refers to swelling and inflammation of the brain, almost always caused by viral infections. It is rare to develop this complication from chickenpox, however.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a potentially serious complication of chickenpox. MedlinePlus also cites Reye's syndrome, myocarditis, transient arthritis and cerebellar ataxia as possible complications. Infants, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women are most at risk for these complications.
Shingles
Catching chickenpox is usually a “one and done” situation, meaning that those who contract it typically don’t get it again. But, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one potential long-term effect of chickenpox is a recurrence of the virus in the form of herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles.
Shingles generally shows up as blisters many years after acquisition of chickenpox. It can be very painful and highly sensitive to the lightest touch; however, many people say itchiness is their primary symptom, rather than pain. Rarely, shingles may affect the eyes, brain or other organs, a more serious complication. Occasionally shingles pain doesn’t resolve itself, leading to a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.
Pregnancy Complications
Pregnant women who contract chickenpox are more at risk for pneumonia, but the growing fetus is rarely affected. Less than 2 percent of fetuses exposed to chickenpox in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy will develop fetal varicella syndrome, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This serious condition can cause limb deformities, eye defects and even brain damage.
The real danger for newborns is in the week immediately before birth and the week immediately after birth. The CDC strongly cautions women who think they may have been exposed to chickenpox during this two-week period to contact their doctors without delay, as these infants may acquire a particularly virulent form of the disease, which can be fatal.
