Table of contents:
- What are the consequences if chickenpox is not treated?
- 1. Shingles
- 2. Bacterial infection
- 3. Respiratory complications
- 4. Liver complications
- 5. Nervous system complications
Chickenpox is a contagious disease that can spread easily and quickly. Chickenpox can have serious consequences in infants, children, and adults who have not been vaccinated and people whose immune systems are weak. Therefore, chicken pox cannot be underestimated and must immediately get proper medical treatment in order to avoid the risk of complications.
What are the consequences if chickenpox is not treated?
The following are five complications of chickenpox that need to be watched out for.
1. Shingles
Chicken pox and shingles are caused by the same virus, namely varicella zoster. After a person is infected with chickenpox, the virus is not completely eliminated from the body. Instead, the varicella will "sleep" in the body for years.
If at a later date your immune system decreases again, the chickenpox virus that was previously dead can come back to life and cause shingles. Shingles is characterized by the characteristic red spots of chickenpox that extend over certain parts of the body. Generally, shingles infects people over 50 years of age.
2. Bacterial infection
Chickenpox that is not completely treated can lead to further bacterial infection. This secondary infection is usually caused by bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Both of these bacteria can cause impetigo or cellulitis.
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection. The spots caused by impetigo are painful and red. These bacteria usually infect the face (swarm around the nose and mouth), and on the hands and feet. After rupture, the infected area of skin may ooze and crust a yellow-brown color. Generally, this infection occurs in children aged 2-5 years.
Impetigo Source:
Meanwhile, cellulitis is a skin infection that attacks the soft tissue underneath. Cellulitis causes the skin to swell red and feel hot, which can spread quickly. Cellulitis can also spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream.
Both of these bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics. But there is still a risk of bacteria getting into the bloodstream, causing a condition called bacteremia. Bacteremia can cause pneumonia, inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis), arthritis (arthritis), and death.
3. Respiratory complications
Chickenpox that is left inflamed without adequate treatment can cause viral pneumonia. the reason is, the smallpox virus can enter the bloodstream and then infect the lungs. Viral pneumonia is the leading cause of death in adults related to complications of chickenpox.
The risk factors include:
- Get chickenpox in old age
- Rash with a higher number of freckles.
- Weak immune system
- Exposure to smallpox during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester
- Smoke
4. Liver complications
Another complication of chickenpox that fails to fully treat is inflammation of the liver or hepatitis. This condition usually causes no symptoms and will get better on its own. However, in some cases complications can lead to Reye's syndrome. This condition is potentially life-threatening, especially due to administration of aspirin while infected with the virus. For that, avoid giving aspirin to people with chickenpox.
5. Nervous system complications
Ataxia can be a serious complication of chickenpox. Ataxia attacks the nervous system of the brain, causing fever, difficulty walking and speech problems. Symptoms can last for weeks, but usually resolve on their own.
Another complication is varicella meningoencephallitis. This condition can cause a sudden decrease in alertness, headaches, seizures, sensitivity to light, and neck pain. This condition tends to affect people with compromised immune systems, including people infected with HIV.
