L 65 Viral Skin DIseases 2, Chicken Pox, Shingles, Parvovirus B19, HHV-6 Flashcards
Virus that causes chicken pox and shingles
Varicella-zoster causes both
Type of Herpes virus
Known to come back because they hang out in the nerves
Unique in that sensitive to acyclovir
How does VZV infect?
Respiratory or conjunctiva
Chickenpox clinical manifestations
Vesicular, pruritic rash, mostly on the trunk, more advanced spread to face Fever, malaise, headache, neuralgia Lesions on roof of mouth common Viremia comes in waves Prodrome only in older kids and adults
VZV reservoir
Humans only reservoir
VZV epidemiology
Seasonal winter-spring Generally kids 5-9 years Still very present in the community and will infect kids not vaccinated Very contagious like measles Incubation 15 days
When is kid with chickenpox most contagious?
1-2 days before appearnce of lesions and 4-5 days after
Chickenpox diagnosis
Rash and fever
secondary bacterial infections
Chickenpox treatment, and specific drug avoidance
No real treatment needed Aspirin is NOT recommended=>Reyes Syndrome (wait 14 days) Lotions for itch VariZig for high risk patients Acyclovir is effective
Chickenpox prevention
Live attenuated virus (Varivax)
Problems: can cause disease in some patients, breakthrough cases (fixed by two doses), may also lead to shingles later!
Congenital Varicella Syndrome
Infection of the mother for the first time during pregnancy causes issues with the fetus
Meaning of word Zoster
Zoster=belt
Remember that Shingles shows up in dermatomes and in belt-like distributions
Shingles Manifestations
Painful lesions: searing, stabbing, burning neuralgic pain in dermatomal distribution, often doesn’t cross midline
Pain may precede rash by days to weeks
Redness becomes papules and vesicles
Rash on face, 20% have eye involvement=> corneal damage quickly
Low grade fever and anorexia
Shingles Diagnosis
Usually disease of the aged
Patients with altered immune are prone
May not have a one and done recurrence of this infection
Shingles treatment
Treat pain
Usually self-limited
Suppress with acyclovir
Shingles complications
Neuralgic pain can remain for months
