• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Quick question about chicken pox

Perpetual Notion

Critical Thinker
P
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
406
Why is it more dangerous to contract chicken pox as an adult than as a child? Isn't an adult's immune system better developed? I'm not including the elderly in this.
 
From the article:

Occasionally chickenpox can cause serious, life-threatening illnesses, such as encephalitis or pneumonia, especially in adults.
Click to expand...

So why do adults have a more severe reaction to the same virus? I can understand it if they're elderly, immune impaired or pregnant, but why just your average adult? I'm not talking about shingles, just chickenpox.

(Thanks for your answer Zep. I hope I didn't miss something from the link.)
 
Perpetual Notion said:
Why is it more dangerous to contract chicken pox as an adult than as a child? Isn't an adult's immune system better developed?
Click to expand...

That is often part of the problem, paradoxically.
The immune system is rather complex. Part of it is responsible for recognising the invader and producing antibodies which can help fight the bug if encountered at a future date. Another part of the immune system tries to eradicate the current infection, and often this results in inflammation as host cells pour in to fight the virus. You will be familiar with this reaction.

With Varicella (c. pox) virus, the infant immune system recognises the infection and produces sufficient antibodies to usually last many years (This prevents the infection creeping back as shingles). However, the rash is usually not too bad, as there is not much local immune response and inflammatory reaction because this part of the immune system is not fully primed to respond actively. In adults, the inflammatory reaction can be worse, because the adult imune system is more mature. The host tries to destroy virus in other parts of the body such as the lung and the brain, causing inflammation (and pneumonitis, encephalitis etc).

However, things are not that simple in practice. Pregnant women are immune-impaired compared to other adults, but are more likely than they are to get pneumonitis if they get c. pox. I'm not clear why...

Note to self: Check this out!
 
Perpetual Notion said:
So why do adults have a more severe reaction to the same virus? I can understand it if they're elderly, immune impaired or pregnant, but why just your average adult? I'm not talking about shingles, just chickenpox.

(Thanks for your answer Zep. I hope I didn't miss something from the link.)
Click to expand...
A good question! I don't know myself.

The reference I found was, I hoped, sufficiently technical answer your initial questions. There was nothing specific I wanted to underline though. Stick "adult chicken pox" into Google... ;)
 
Re: Re: Quick question about chicken pox

Deetee said:
That is often part of the problem, paradoxically.
The immune system is rather complex. Part of it is responsible for recognising the invader and producing antibodies which can help fight the bug if encountered at a future date. Another part of the immune system tries to eradicate the current infection, and often this results in inflammation as host cells pour in to fight the virus. You will be familiar with this reaction.

*snipped the rest*
Click to expand...

Thanks DeeTee! This is what I was trying to figure out. The immune system is still a mystery to me.
 
The control of varicella zoster virus (VZV) aka chicken pox infection is achieved though the cell mediated immune responses which produce the tell tale rash. In young children the cellular response is not fully developed and the rash is less severe as a consequence yet sufficient to provide immune memory.

Pregnant women are susceptible as their immunity is altered from a Th1 bias (cell mediated) to a Th2 bias (antibody mediated).

The elderly and immunocompromised likewise have reduced cell mediated responses.
 
Capsid said:
Pregnant women are susceptible as their immunity is altered from a Th1 bias (cell mediated) to a Th2 bias (antibody mediated).
Click to expand...

Yes, but I don't know why the clinical illness in a pregnant female conforms to that where there is an exaggerated cell mediated response with severe pneumonitis predominating.
 
I worked with someone a long time ago who had to retire on disability after having the chicken pox. He was also scarred terribly.

I also wouldn't wish shingles on my worst enemy. Well....I can think of some people....:D
 
I am not a human doctor but looking around on the internet I found that immunity to chickenpox appears to be related to cell mediated immunity. Cell mediated immunity to chickenpox is much better in kids than adults. Now why that is I don't know but that could explain your question a little.
 
Deetee said:
Yes, but I don't know why the clinical illness in a pregnant female conforms to that where there is an exaggerated cell mediated response with severe pneumonitis predominating.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, good point, although Th2 means that there is still a cell mediated response that promotes the humoral (antibody) arm. I don't know enough about pneumonitis but could it be possible that the condition in pregnant females might be antibody or Th2 mediated?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom