Chicken pox is a viral infection that is caused by the varicellla zoster virus. This virus is marked by a bad rash of blisters, and other flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, cases of chicken pox has drastically been reduced thanks to the chicken pox vaccine that was introduced in 1995. Adults that contract chicken pox seem to be the most at risk for severe complications.


While children are the most commonly infected, the cases of adult chicken pox are of particular concern in recent years.



The symptoms of adult chicken pox is similar to those of a child, with the virus beginning as a low-grade fever and a general sick feeling. Soon thereafter, a series of rashes will appear on the stomach, back and face. These rashes and will turn into blisters, and eventually into open sores all over the body.


The treatment of adult chicken pox is varied depending on the stage of exposure and symptoms. If the patient is not symptomatic, but is still within up to five days since the exposure to the virus, then the chicken pox vaccine can be highly effective. Even if the patient contracts adult chicken pox, they usually will have much less severe symptoms and complications.


Bacterial infections are the number one cause of complications in adult chicken pox. Adults are far more likely to suffer complications than children as well. Some of the many complications that can come from bacteria is skin and tissue problems, bronchitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and even infections of the joints.


There are a number of problems that can also affect the brain in adult chicken pox. These can include an infection of the brain called encephalitis. These are rare cases, but are still something that should be considered in severe cases of adult chicken pox.


Adult chicken pox is transmitted primarily through airborne contact with the virus. This comes about through an infected person coughing, sneezing, or even breathing into the air or individual. The virus is contagious and stays so until the blisters are all scabbed over at a minimum. Many doctors advise that you are contagious until several days after that point.

Tags: Array, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Bad Rash, Blisters, Brain, Bronchitis, Chicken Pox Adults, Chicken Pox Vaccine, Contracts, Encephalitis, Flu, Flu Like Symptoms, Joints, Low Grade Fever, Osteomyelitis, Pneumonia, Rare Cases, Stomach, Viral Infection, Virus