Chickenpox is an infectious disease that preferably affects children. The cause is attributable to a DNA virus, the Varicella zoster virus (VZV), belonging to the Herpesvirus family.
Chickenpox is characterized by fever, muscle pain and disseminated vesicular eruptions (which evolve into crusts) accompanied by an intense, constantly present itching. It is very easily transmitted from person to person by respiratory route or, less frequently, through direct contact with skin lesions.
If contracted for the first time in adulthood, chickenpox often causes particularly intense symptoms. The skin rash is more extensive and, more frequently than observed in children, complications may occur due to the superinfection of vesicles by bacteria (cellulitis or, rarely, streptococcal toxic shock), pneumonia, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia, arthritis, hepatitis and meningo-encephalitis.
For pregnant women, the infection can cause complications both for the future mother and the fetus (neonatal chicken pox or congenital varicella syndrome), especially if contracted in the first trimester. Chickenpox acquired transplacental can cause eye damage and abnormalities of brain, muscle and bone development.
The risk of contracting chickenpox in adulthood can be reduced by vaccination ; the vaccination cycle includes 2 doses 1-2 months apart from each other. If the infection has already occurred, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs (acyclovir), as well as recommend antipyretic and topical preparations to relieve itching.
