The doctor may recommend a blood test prior to giving the varicella vaccine. The blood test can be used to check for immunity to the herpes zoster virus. Since 70 to 90 percent of adults who don't remember having chickenpox actually have protection in their blood when tested, chickenpox blood testing before vaccination can be a good cost-saving measure.
Complications of Adult Chickenpox
Chickenpox complications are more likely to occur in adults than in children. Despite the fact that adults account for only 5 percent of chickenpox cases per year, they account for a disproportionate number of deaths (55 percent) and hospitalizations (33 percent) compared to children.
Most complications of adult chickenpox are caused by an infection from bacteria. These bacteria can cause chickenpox complications that include:
Skin or soft tissue infections
Pneumonia (usually more severe in adults, as well as children over 13 years old)
Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
Joint infections (septic arthritis)
Toxic shock syndrome.
Other serious adult chickenpox complications directly related to the chickenpox virus can include:
Infection of the brain (encephalitis)
Bleeding problems
Cerebellar ataxia.