[Varicella pneumonia in the previously healthy adult]

Varicella (chickenpox) is a contagious, self-limited, usually benign disease common in childhood but uncommon in adulthood. Pneumonia is the most frequent complication of the disease in adults. We retrospectively review 7 cases of varicella pneumonia in previously healthy adults diagnosed in our hospital between 1992 and 1996. All of them were treated with intravenous acyclovir with good therapeutic response save for a patient who developed respiratory insufficiency and died 8 days after his admission. Smoking was the only risk factor detected. Clinical features of our patients are described and the need of an early diagnosis and treatment of varicella pneumonia is emphasized.