Viera Švihrová1, Henrieta Hudečková1, Veronika Szabóová1, Andrea Kološová2
Introduction: Varicella is a highly contagious disease. The disease belongs to the most common infectious diseases in Slovakia and globally. The aim of this work was to analyze direct and indirect costs for treatment of uncomplicated varicella in Slovakia among children in 2012 and to compare them to the costs in 2007. Patients and Methods: Data on the infection incidence were obtained from Epidemiological information system of the Slovak Republic. Direct costs included costs for outpatient treatment and the average capitation payment in individual age groups. Indirect costs included costs for contribution to family member home care and loss of productivity during 10-day treatment. Results: Average costs per one case of uncomplicated varicella in the age group of 0 to 14 years old children represented 12.14 €, which means an increase by more than 100 % compared to 2007. Indirect costs reached together 431 € per one case in 2012, which is 20 % more than in 2007. Conclusion: Treatment costs for varicella rise each year because of increasing direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs in Slovakia represent about 97 % of total costs, which is the highest proportion in comparison with other countries.