Pulmonary and neurological complications of varicella in a previously healthy young adult <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To review the literature about the complications of varicella, describing the case of a young adult patient who developed primary varicella and severe complications. Case description: A female patient, 24 years-old, complaining of myalgia, cough, dyspnea, hyperthermia and skin injuries, is admitted at the emergency room of a public hospital after the diagnosis of varicella. The patient developed pneumonitis, and later, acute disseminated encefalomielitis, with invasive mechanical ventilation for a long period, with temporary central nervous system abnormalities. Conclusions: Varicella in the adult is a disease that requires thorough attention, because of the potential associated complications. KEY WORDS: CHICKENPOX/complications; PNEUMONIA; ENCEPHALOMYELITIS, ACUTE DISSEMINATED; ADULT.