Outcome of chicken pox in adult immunocompetent patients

Objective To observe the outcome of chicken pox in adult immunocompetent patients. Patients and methods In this cross-sectional analytical study, during a period of 14 months starting from May 2003 to Jun 2004, 200 adult patients aged between 15 and 40 were hospitalized and observed for the evolution of chicken pox after carefully fulfilling the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Patients were assessed by history, clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations. The disease was subjectively categorized as mild, moderate and severe according to the intensity of eruption. Number of days required till resolution of infection was noted. Treatment was prescribed as per the protocol according to the severity of disease. Complications were noted among all the patients. Results 181 (90.5%) of our patients had mild/moderate infection and were treated symptomatically, while 19 (9.5%) had severe eruption and were given acyclovir. Mean age of patients was 23.3±5.41 years (range 15-40 years). 183 (90.3%) were males and 17 (9.5%) were females. Mean resolution time was 7.75 (+/-3.12) days in mild/moderate cases and 7.68 (+/-3.86) days in severe cases. 4 (2%) cases of bacterial superinfection and 1 (0.5%) case of varicella pneumonia was diagnosed and treated. Conclusion Chicken pox in adult patients in our population presents as a mild infection in majority of the patients. The rate of complications is low as compared to western population.