How does chickenpox manifest differently in adults compared to children?

The manifestation of chickenpox in adults can indeed lead to more severe systemic symptoms compared to children. Adults generally experience a stronger immune response and may suffer from a higher incidence of complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and hospitalization, which can make the systemic symptoms—such as fever, malaise, and overall discomfort—more prominent.

In contrast, children typically have a milder course of the illness, with fewer severe complications and less pronounced systemic symptoms. The differences in severity and systemic reaction can also be attributed to the adult immune system often being more robust, which can exacerbate symptoms rather than mitigate them.

This increased severity in adults is a well-documented aspect of chickenpox, reinforcing why one can expect more pronounced systemic symptoms in adults afflicted by the virus.