There varicella is an infection caused by the VZV virus (acronym for Varicella Zooster Virus). Chickenpox is part of the Herpesviridae family. The chickenpox virus is a generally benign childhood eruption: 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 particular vesicles which can strongly itch. Chickenpox is an immunizing disease: the antibodies persist in the blood, protecting the body, but the virus remains in a latent state in the nerve ganglia. In adults, chickenpox can cause serious complications, particularly pulmonary.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox in adults?
Generally, the incubation period for chicken pox is about 15 days. In adults, the first symptoms 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 which will then dry up to form a crust. They have the particularity of causing severe itching. The vesicles often appear on the scalp and on the chest first. Before the appearance of the vesicles, a moderate fever may appear. The rash may also be associated with other symptoms such as flu-like illness. In adults, chickenpox can also give other signs that should alert such as a cough, breathing difficulties or hemoptysis (cough with emission of blood).
What are the risk factors for contracting chickenpox in an adult?
Since chickenpox is a childhood disease, contact with young children drastically increases the risk of being in contact with the disease and of contracting it. Thus it is recommended to women of childbearing age or having a parental project to be vaccinated before starting a pregnancy. Immunocompromised people are more at risk of contracting the disease if they come into contact with an infected person. Again, the vaccine is recommended.
How to prevent chickenpox in an adult?
There varicella is a highly contagious disease. It is mainly transmitted via droplets of infected saliva. The virus then quickly enters the respiratory tract. Vaccination is recommended for:
- healthcare or early childhood professionals who have not contracted the disease;
- women of childbearing age (caution, vaccination is contraindicated in pregnant women);
- young mothers;
- teens.
In the other cases, there are no indications. Currently there are two types of varicella vaccines that offer efficacy ranging from 65 to 100%. Vaccination is contraindicated in pregnant women. If the adult has never contracted chickenpox, he must avoid contact with infected children as much as possible.
What are the treatments for chickenpox in adults?
First of all it is necessary to avoid the bacterial superinfection related to the scraping of the crusts. These can be carefully disinfected with chlorhexidine. If the blisters are infected, an antibiotic may be prescribed. Fever and pain can be relieved by taking an analgesic such as paracetamol, but under no circumstances should you take anti-inflammatories. If the itching is too intense, you can resort to taking an antihistamine. The use of antivirals of the aciclovir type is reserved for complicated chickenpox, for example in cases of varicella pneumonia. In case of respiratory distress, hospitalization may be considered.
Read also
- Chicken pox: the importance of vaccination in adults
- What to know about chickenpox
- Is your teen up to date on their vaccinations?
