Various Complications of Chickenpox in Admitted Patients; 2017 Perspective

Background: Chickenpox is a benign disease occurring in both children and adults. Common symptoms of disease include fever, generalized body rash, itching, fatigue, headache and body aches. The complications of the disease include respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, hematological and cardiac complications. These complications are more common in adult population. Estimated mortality from chickenpox is 31/100,000 in adults. Chickenpox pneumonia is the most serious complication followed by encephalitis. Objective: To highlight the various complications of chickenpox present in adult population of Faisalabad and its adjoining cities. Study Design: retrospective cross-sectional observational study. Settings: Department of Medicine, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: One year, January 2017 to December 2017. Methodology: Record of the admitted 350 patients was obtained, and Patients’ charts were reviewed with special emphasis on various complications of chickenpox. The patients included were above the age of 14 years and the diagnosis of chickenpox was made on clinical grounds. The diagnosis of complications was made with the help of laboratory and radiological investigations. Results: In our study 350 patients facing complications from chickenpox, from various regions of Faisalabad. Majority of them suffered from secondary bacterial skin infection i.e. 75 patients. Sepsis and ARDS turned out to be some of the major concerns for patients as well, as 31patients developed Sepsis and 29 patients suffered from ARDS respectively. Hepatitis, Myocarditis and Encephalitis were among the major issues affecting 11, 12 and 9 patients respectively. Conclusion: Chicken Pox can present with life threatening complications in adult population. Awareness of general population about the disease, its prevention, early detection and start of appropriate treatment can prevent development of complications and help reduce mortality and morbidity from the disease.