What organs are affected by chickenpox?
Sometimes chickenpox can be more severe, with internal organs like the lungs and liver affected. An individual can only ever have one episode of chickenpox in their lifetime; once they’ve recovered, they have life-long immunity.
Can chickenpox cause long term effects?
Most people in the UK catch chickenpox as children and do not suffer any long-term effects, although about one in four adults are then at risk of developing shingles later in life.
How does chickenpox cause pneumonia?
Varicella pneumonia is a life-threatening complication of initial infection with VZV or reactivation of VZV. Spread of VZV to the lungs is thought to occur hematogenously. Varicella pneumonia is estimated to occur in fewer than 1% of cases of chickenpox.
What happens if you get chickenpox when your older?
Adults are 25 times more likely to die from chickenpox than children. The risk of hospitalization and death from chickenpox (varicella) is increased in adults. Chickenpox may cause complications such as pneumonia or, rarely, an inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), both of which can be serious.
Can chickenpox cause heart problems?
Chicken pox (varicella) is usually a benign childhood illness, but it can occasionally cause life-threatening complications. Complications related to varicella are mainly neurologic and infectious. Cardiac complications of chicken pox include myocarditis, pericarditis, and rarely infective endocarditis.
Does chickenpox affect nervous system?
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a cause of neurologic disease among humans. Both primary infection and recurrence may lead to neurologic infection and disease. Neurologic syndromes associated with acute VZV infection are caused by abnormal immune responses, the most frequent manifestation being cerebellar ataxia.
Can chickenpox turn into meningitis?
A variety of viruses can cause meningitis, including those that cause gastroenteritis, measles, mumps, chicken pox and herpes. Viral meningitis is rarely serious, although symptoms may be severe. People usually recover completely.
