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Flashcards in Chickenpox Deck (16)
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1
Q

What organism causes chicken pox?

A

Varicella zoster

2
Q

What is the incubation period for chicken pox?

A

10-21 days

3
Q

When is chicken pox infectious?

A

From 2 days before spots appear until they are crusted over

4
Q

What are the symptoms of chicken pox?

A

Itchy spots
Fever
General malaise

5
Q

What are the stages of the spots?

A

Red spots
Fill with fluid + blister
Scab over

6
Q

What advice is given to patients with chicken pox?

A
Stay at home until crusted over
Drink plenty of fluid
Keep cool 
Trim nails - prevent infection 
Calamine lotion
7
Q

When is chicken pox a risk in pregnancy?

A

If mother hasn’t been infected before

8
Q

When is the risk in pregnancy greatest?

A

From 7 days before birth to 7 days after

9
Q

What are the risks to the foetus if mother gets chicken pox?

A
Skin scarring 
Eye defects
Microcephaly 
Learning defects
Neonatal varicella
10
Q

What is the management of chicken pox in pregnancy?

A

No previous exposure to mother - give varicella-zoster immunoglobin ASAP

11
Q

What is shingles?

A

Reactivation of varicella zoster in dorsal root ganglion - effects one dermatome

12
Q

What is the management of shingles?

A

Supportive

  • do not itch
  • calamine lotion
13
Q

What are complications of shingles?

A

Post-herpetic neuralgia

Ramsey-Hunt syndrome

14
Q

What is Ramsey-Hunt syndrome?

A

SHingles affecting the facial nerve

  • check the eyes
  • check the ears
  • check the mouth
15
Q

What is the prevention of shingles?

A

Vaccine for those aged 70+

16
Q

What is the relationship between chicken pox and shingles infectivity?

A

Can catch chickenpox from shingles but not shingles from chicken pox