Chicken Pox In Adults

Varicella among adults is more common in tropical climates also seasonality is described less clearly over there. Recently, adult varicella is going to be a seen more frequently due to immigration of non-immune adults and immunodeficiency states. Clinical manifestations of adult varicella are more severe than children and complications (pneumonia is the most common and then encephalitis) and so the mortality rate higher. Acyclovir should be administrated in all adults. Routine immunization of all susceptible adults is not recommended and administration of VZIG to normal adults should be considered case by case. Its use is strongly recommended in exposed susceptible pregnant women. Varicella immunization of susceptible adults is encouraged susceptibility is defined by lack of proof for varicella immunization, lack of reliable history of varicella or absence of serologic evidence of varicella. In patients who present to a health care provider with a negative history of chicken pox in past, varicella serology testing is a relatively cost effective policy for adults but not for school age children. Priority should be given to immunization of high-risk groups.