Varicella Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Middle-aged Adult Male: A Case Report

JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2022 Jul 1;60(251):651-653. doi: 10.31729/jnma.7427.

Abstract

Varicella pneumonia is uncommon among adults and can present as potentially life-threatening complications of varicella. Here we report a case of a 43-year-old man with no known history of chronic disease and no allergic history who presented to our hospital emergency department with widespread skin eruptions over the entire body and hemoptysis. Varicella pneumonia was diagnosed based on the patient being in contact with his 6-year-old son who had contracted chickenpox 10 days back, typical cutaneous lesions, pulmonary symptoms and radiographic findings. The patient was treated with oral acyclovir and was admitted to the intensive care unit for monitoring. The patient recovered completely after 10 days of treatment.

Keywords: chickenpox; pneumonia; skin eruptions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Chickenpox* / complications
  • Chickenpox* / diagnosis
  • Chickenpox* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Exanthema* / complications
  • Hemoptysis
  • Humans
  • Lung
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia* / complications

Substances

  • Acyclovir