Ramet José
Department of Pediatrics, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Antwerp Belgium.
Int J Infect Dis. 2007 Nov;11 Suppl 2:S49-55. doi: 10.1016/S1201-9712(07)60022-8.
Varicella is often considered to be a benign disease of childhood. In fact, varicella is associated with serious complications and mortality even among healthy individuals.
Although the course of varicella can be uncomplicated, it can also be associated with serious complications such as pneumonia, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, skin and soft tissue infections and central nervous system disturbances. Worldwide studies have confirmed the high frequency of disease as well as the resultant morbidity, mortality and medical resource use. A quadrivalent vaccine is now available in certain countries to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV). Countries that have initiated routine vaccination pro- grams have reported substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality as well as improved health outcomes. The MMRV vaccine facilitates coverage against all four diseases, and would be expected to improve compliance as well as coverage of varicella.
Universal vaccination programs with MMRV should be considered as a way to reduce the medical and economic impact of varicella. The MMRV vaccine provides a means to achieve universal coverage.
水痘通常被认为是一种儿童期的良性疾病。事实上，即使在健康个体中，水痘也会引发严重并发症甚至导致死亡。
虽然水痘病程可能无并发症，但也可能伴有严重并发症，如肺炎、水电解质紊乱、皮肤及软组织感染和中枢神经系统紊乱。全球研究证实了该疾病的高发病率以及由此导致的发病、死亡情况和医疗资源使用。目前在某些国家有一种四价疫苗可预防麻疹、腮腺炎、风疹和水痘（MMRV）。开展了常规疫苗接种计划的国家报告称，发病率和死亡率大幅降低，健康状况得到改善。MMRV疫苗有助于对所有四种疾病进行预防接种，预计将提高依从性以及水痘的接种覆盖率。
应考虑将MMRV通用疫苗接种计划作为降低水痘对医疗和经济影响的一种方式。MMRV疫苗提供了实现普遍接种的手段。
