Varicella Pneumonia

Varicella Pneumonia in Adults, A Review of Pulmonary Manifestations, Risk Factors and Treatment

“…Schlossenberg et al [27] note that it may be prudent to administer oral acyclovir to all immunocompetent adults with varicella infections irrespective of pulmonary compli cations and a dose of 800 mg five times daily has been sug gested by other investigators [28]. We think that it is true especially in high-risk populations including the elderly, heavy smokers, pregnant women, COPD patients and pa tients with severe cutaneous varicella rash.…”

How frequent is varicella-associated pneumonia in children?

“…Despite it is an important cause of complications in the course of varicella infection, few studies deal with varicella associated pneumonia in children. Most cases of varicella associated pneumonia are reported in adult patients, 11,12,13,14 being varicella pneumonitis the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in adults' varicella. 3 This complication is associated with 30% of deaths for varicella complications in this group age.…”

“…3 This complication is associated with 30% of deaths for varicella complications in this group age. 11 However, it seems to be infrequent in children as suggested by the lack of reports. In our population study, we have found only 0.3 cases of varicella pneumonitis per 10,000 varicella infections.…”

Fatal Varicella-Zoster Hepatitis Presenting with Severe Abdominal Pain: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…Of note, hepatitis and, often, pancreatitis are typically present in association with visceral varicella (1,2). Only a few cases of FHF secondary to VZV infection have been reported (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11).…”