Varicella pneumonia in adults--clinical spectrum

Varicella pneumonia is the most common complication of chickenpox and it also has the highest mortality. A retrospective study was carried out on 10 patients with varicella pneumonia over a period of one year. Seven of the 10 patients with varicella pneumonia had a history of smoking. The majority of the patients with varicella pneumonia presented with cough, dyspnoea, hypoxia and a compatible chest radiograph. All the patients with varicella pneumonia were treated with intravenous acyclovir. Four patients required mechanical ventilation. Nine out of the 10 patients were cured with only one death. It may be reasonable to select adults with varicella and who smoke, for early treatment with acyclovir.