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Chickenpox is a contagious eruptive disease common in children. But in non-immune adults, it can lead to sometimes dangerous complications.
The varicella is an infection caused by the VZV virus (acronym for Varicella Zooster Virus). Chickenpox is part of the family Herpesviridae. The chickenpox virus is a generally benign infantile eruptive disease: being very contagious, the disease quickly infects children. It is estimated that 90% of adults have contracted the disease. It is characterized by the appearance of small specific vesicles that can strongly itch. Chickenpox is an immunizing disease: antibodies persist in the blood, protecting the body, but the virus remains latent in the nerve ganglia. In adults, chickenpox can cause serious complications including pulmonary.
What are the symptoms of chicken pox in adults?
Generally, the incubation period for chickenpox is about two weeks. In adults, the first signs of varicella are often similar to those seen in children. The rash is characteristic of the disease: it is small vesicles in drops of dew that will then dry out to form a crust. They have the particularity of causing severe itching. The vesicles often appear at the level of the scalp and on the thorax first. Before the appearance of vesicles, a moderate fever may appear. The rash may also be badociated with other symptoms such as flu-like illness. In adults, chickenpox can also give other signs that should alert you such as coughing, breathing difficulties or haemoptysis (coughing with blood).
What are the risk factors for getting chicken pox in an adult?
Because chickenpox is a childhood disease, contact with young children drastically increases the risk of being in contact with and contracting the disease. Thus it is recommended for women of childbearing age or having a parental project to be vaccinated before starting a pregnancy. Immunocompromised people are at higher risk of contracting the disease if they are in contact with an infected person. Again, the vaccine is recommended.
How to prevent chickenpox in an adult?
The varicella is a very contagious disease. It is transmitted mainly via droplets of infected saliva. The virus then quickly enters the airways. Vaccination is recommended at:
- health or early childhood professionals who have not contracted the disease;
- women of childbearing age (be careful, vaccination is contraindicated in pregnant women);
- young mothers;
- teens.
In other cases, there are no indications. Currently there are two types of chickenpox vaccines that offer efficiencies ranging from 65 to 100%. Vaccination is contraindicated in pregnant women. If the adult has never had chickenpox, he / she should avoid contact with the infected children as much as possible.
What are the treatments for chicken pox in adults?
First of all, it is necessary to avoid bacterial superinfection linked to scraping crusts. These can be thoroughly disinfected with chlorhexidine. If the vesicles are infected, an antibiotic can be prescribed. The fever and the pain can be calmed by taking a paracetamol badgesic but in no case it is necessary to take anti-inflammatories. If the itching is too intense, you can use the antihistamine. The use of antiviral aciclovir type is reserved for complicated chickenpox for example in cases of varicella pneumonitis. In case of respiratory distress, hospitalization may be considered.
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