Varicella Pneumonia

Today we saw a case of disseminated varicella with associated varicella pneumonia / pneumonitis. This was in the context of a primary infection in an adult patient.

This is a review of varicella pneumonitis, and a link to an article discussing the contraversial role of corticosteroids in its treatment.

Varicella can also cause a number of end organ specific syndromes including:

• myopericarditis
• retinitis
  
• meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
• transverse myelitis
• pancreatitis
  
• hepatitis
• Ramsey Hunt Syndrome (? role for treatment with antivirals)
  
  • Role for caution with steroids in the absence of antivirals for proven RHS?
    

These are more common in the immunocomprimised but can occur in patients without established immunodeficiency, particularly with primary infection.

There are guidelines of management and a good review of various syndromes published here.

Previous related blogs are here and here.