[50] Chicken Pox Flashcards

1
Q

What is chicken pox also known as?

A

Varicella

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2
Q

What is chicken pox?

A

A highly contagious disease caused by initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV)

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3
Q

When does chicken pox typically present?

A

Ages 1-6

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4
Q

When is chicken pox transmission mostly transmitted?

A

Winter and spring

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5
Q

What does VZV initiate in a healthy child?

A

The production of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies

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6
Q

What does IgG do?

A

Persist for life and confer immunity

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7
Q

What is also important in limiting the scope and duration of primary varicella infection?

A

Cell mediated immune responses

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8
Q

What are the signs and symptoms of chicken pox?

A
  • Vesicular rash
  • Itching
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue/malaise
  • Sore throat
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9
Q

How many lesions are typically seen in the vesicular rash of chicken pox?

A

50-100

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10
Q

How does the vesicular rash spread in chicken pox?

A

Begins on the head and trunk and progresses to the peripheries

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11
Q

Describe the appearance of the vesicular rash seen in chicken pox?

A

Crops of vesicles with surrounding erythema and pustules at different times for up to 1 week

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12
Q

Where else may vesicles appear?

A

Mucous membranes

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13
Q

What can itching lead to?

A
  • Permanent, depigmented scar formation

- Secondary infection

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14
Q

What is the differential for chicken pox?

A

Smallpox

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15
Q

What are the potential complications of chicken pox?

A
  • Bacterial superinfection
  • CNS complications
  • Immunocompromisation
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16
Q

What bacterial superinfections can occur with chicken pox?

A

Staph and strep infections leading to toxic shock or necrotising fasciitis

17
Q

What are the CNS complications of chicken pox?

A
  • Cerebellitis
  • Encephalitis
  • Aseptic meningitis
18
Q

What can immunocompromisation due to chicken pox lead to?

A
  • Haemorrhagic lesions
  • Pneumonitis
  • Progressive and disseminated infection
  • DIC