Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus) - Complications

Effects During Pregnancy. The risk for chickenpox in a pregnant woman is very low (one to seven cases in 10,000). However, chickenpox places the woman at risk for life-threatening pneumonia. Infection in the pregnant woman in the first trimester also poses a 1% to 2% chance for infecting the developing fetus, which is an extremely serious condition. (Herpes zoster is even rarer in pregnant women and there is almost no risk for the unborn child in such cases.)

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Disseminated Varicella. Disseminated varicella, chickenpox that spreads to organs in the body, is extremely serious and is a major problem for patients with compromised immune systems. An immune system may become compromised as a result of diseases such as AIDS, inherited conditions, or certain drugs. For example, disseminated varicella occurs in up to 35% of children with chickenpox who are taking cancer chemotherapy; in such cases mortality rates are between 7% and 30%.

Reye's Syndrome. Reye's syndrome, a disorder that causes sudden and dangerous liver and brain damage, is a very rare complication of chickenpox and other viruses in children who take aspirin. The disease can lead to coma and is life threatening. Symptoms include rash, vomiting, and confusion beginning about a week after the onset of the disease. Because of the strong warnings against children taking aspirin, this condition is, fortunately, nearly nonexistent.

Other Rare Complications of Chickenpox. Other extremely rare complications of varicella include problems in blood clotting, and inflammation of the nerves in the hands and feet, and in other areas of the body, such as the heart, testicles, liver, joints, or kidney. Such cases of inflammation are almost always temporary in otherwise healthy patients.

Complications of Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Pain. The pain and discomfort of the active herpes zoster infection is the primary symptom and complication of herpes zoster. The pain usually takes one or more of three forms:

Continuous burning or aching pain.
Periodic piercing pain.
Spasm similar to electric shock.

Such experiences may also be more intense than even normal responses, defined in the following ways:

Allodynia. This is pain caused by factors, such as a light touch of clothing or a cold wind, which occurs from very little stimulation.
Hyperalgesia. This is a more intense painful response to a normally painful experience.

The pain tends to be more severe at night. Temperature changes can also affect pain. The pain may extend beyond the areas of the initial zoster attack, and some areas have no feeling at all. In most cases it does not affect daily life. On an encouraging note, in one study once a patient was free of zoster pain, it almost never recurred. Rarely, however, the pain of herpes zoster affects sleep, mood, work, and overall quality of life. This can lead to fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, social withdrawal, and impaired daily functioning.