Varicella pneumonia masquerading as interstitial lung disease: Non-specific interstitial pneumonitis

Abstract

Varicella-zoster virus infection also known as chickenpox is a common clinical entity especially among unvaccinated children and adults. It is said that severity increases as the age increases. Approximately 5%–15% of adult varicella can produce pulmonary manifestations. Varicella pneumonitis occurs especially in at-risk individuals like pregnant, smokers, chronic lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and immunosuppression. The authors describe a case of severe varicella pneumonitis in a healthy immunocompetent middle-aged woman which posed a great diagnostic challenge. The authors also want to highlight that how a common disease can pose a diagnostic dilemma and present with life-threatening organ failure and timely intervention is needed to prevent mortality.