Adult varicella pneumonia that responded to combined acyclovir and steroid therapy

We describe a case of adult chickenpox which was complicated by severe varicella pneumonia, mild hepatitis and thrombocytopenia. The hepatitis and the thrombocytopenia were asymptomatic clinically and were diagnosed on biochemistry and blood count results. These eventually improved without specific interventions. The pneumonia, however, deteriorated rapidly despite the early commencement of oxygen supplementation, acyclovir and antibiotic. Subsequently, systemic corticosteroid therapy was initiated and the patient was ventilated in the intensive care unit. The patient eventually recovered.