Is the course of chickenpox unusually severe in some children?
The disease is self-limited in most children as their immune system is well developed. If, however, a child whose immunity is low develops chickenpox, he is more likely to suffer from a severe course. Hence, children suffering from leukemia (blood cancer) or HIV infection or those on anti-cancer drugs may develop a severe variety of chickenpox. Adolescents may have an unusually severe course of chickenpox. Fever and constitutional symptoms are severe. Rash is heavier and confluent, complication rate higher and chances of fatality greater in them.
