Chickenpox is often perceived as a benign pediatric infection, but adult varicella tells a different story. Compared with children, adults experience higher rates of complications, hospitalization, and mortality. The immune response in adults tends to be more intense and dysregulated, leading to greater systemic inflammation and visceral involvement. Risk is further amplified in smokers, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and patients with chronic lung disease.
What begins as a typical vesicular rash may rapidly evolve into a systemic illness requiring close monitoring. One of the most serious complications is varicella pneumonia, occurring more commonly in adults than children. Clinicians should suspect it in patients presenting with dyspnea, persistent cough, pleuritic chest pain, hypoxia, or tachypnoea, typically within 1–6 days of rash onset. Chest imaging may reveal…
