Chickenpox pneumonia

Varicella-zoster virus pneumonia is caused by varicella virus and occurs mostly in adults. Winter and spring are good seasons. Symptoms of pneumonia mostly occur 2 to 6 days after the rash, and can also appear before or 10 days after the rash. A few patients have mild symptoms and can recover in a few days. Most of them have high fever, up to 40 ° C, cough, bloody sputum or hemoptysis, and chest pain, with severe shortness of breath and progressive dyspnea. Purulent sputum occurs during secondary bacterial infections. About 40% of patients develop cyanosis due to hypoxemia. In severe cases, the condition rapidly deteriorates, and the spread of lung lesions produces severe arteriovenous shunts that cause respiratory failure. Chest X-ray signs are diffuse nodular infiltrates or reticulated shadows in the two lungs. Lesions can be fused to show extensive infiltrates, often distributed in the hilar or base of the lung. There may be signs of pleural effusion on both sides. Less severe lesions are absorbed within 1 to 2 weeks, and some prolonged to be absorbed for several months, may eventually leave scattered calcifications. On physical examination, there are few chest signs, wheezing or wet murmurs can be heard, and pulmonary consolidation signs are rarely found, often disproportionate to the lung lesions shown by chest X-ray signs. Chickenpox pneumonia can be clinically diagnosed based on contact history, typical varicella rash history and clinical manifestations, and pulmonary X-rays showing pneumonia.

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