What complications can chickenpox cause?

Recently, some hospitals have recorded cases of chickenpox in both children and adults, with some cases having serious complications and deaths. How can we effectively prevent chickenpox? (Hoai Thu, Bac Can)

Reply:

Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), which can appear sporadically throughout the year but is most prevalent during the changing seasons, usually from March to June each year. Weather factors (hot sun, thunderstorms) can also reduce the body's immune response, increasing the risk of disease.

According to recommendations, every 3-5 years the chickenpox virus will cause a major epidemic if the community is not fully vaccinated. About 90% of people who have not had chickenpox or have not been vaccinated are at high risk of infection if they come into contact with droplets of saliva when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or contact with fluid from the chickenpox blisters of an infected person. People at high risk of getting the disease are those with weakened immune systems such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases.

When having chickenpox, the patient often has symptoms such as: fatigue, headache, mild fever, runny nose, sore throat and red rash on the skin starting in the head and eyes and then spreading to the whole body. If not properly cared for, in addition to infection from skin lesions, chickenpox can cause many complications leading to death.

Chickenpox is very dangerous for children under 5 years old and pregnant women. In children, chickenpox can cause serious complications such as: ear infections, laryngitis, pneumonia, acute nephritis, ... even death. The chickenpox virus is the second leading cause of encephalitis with a mortality rate of 9-20%. If lucky enough to be saved, the patient also faces many risks such as cerebral palsy, bedridden ...

Pregnant women with chickenpox cause congenital chickenpox syndrome in the fetus, causing skull defects, cerebral palsy and cataracts, mental retardation, microcephaly, hydrocephalus, quadriplegia... 30% of newborns die when infected with chickenpox transmitted from their mothers.

Children need to get vaccinated against chickenpox early to have immunity to protect against the disease. Photo: Moc Thao

To prevent chickenpox, children and adults need to proactively take measures such as: Vaccinate children from 9 months of age and older with chickenpox vaccine; avoid contact with sick people to prevent the spread of infection; wash hands regularly with soap, use separate household items, clean nose and throat daily with saline solution; clean houses, schools and household items with common disinfectant solutions.

Currently, the VNVC Vaccination System has 3 types of chickenpox vaccines for children and adults: Varilrix (Belgium), Varivax (USA) and Varicella (Korea) with a 2-dose regimen. Women before pregnancy need to proactively get vaccinated against chickenpox to maximize immunity for the mother, eliminate the risk of birth defects, and help children gain passive immunity in the first months of life.

MD.CKI Nguyen Le Nga
Medical Management, VNVC Vaccination Center System

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