Varicella Zoster Virus

Question 1

What does VZV cause?

Answer 1

chicken pox

shingles

Question 2

is chickenpox contagious?

Answer 2

very contagious - stay off school

Question 3

rash - chickenpox

Answer 3

widespread 
erythematous 
raised 
vesicular
blistering

Question 4

chickenpox immunity

Answer 4

once a child gets chickenpox they develop VZV immunity

Question 5

how does the chickenpox rash last?

Answer 5

starts on trunk or face and spreads outwards affecting whole body over 2-5days

Question 6

when does chickenpox stop being contagious?

Answer 6

lesions scab over

Question 7

other chickenpox symptoms

Answer 7

fever
itch
general fatigue and malaise

Question 8

How is chickenpox spread?

Answer 8

direct contact with lesions

infected droplets from cough or sneeze

Question 9

When do chickenpox patients become symptomatic?

Answer 9

10 days to 3 weeks

Question 10

Chickenpox complications

Answer 10

bacterial superinfection
dehydration 
conjunctival lesions 
pneumonia 
encephalitis

Question 11

where can virus lie dormant?

Answer 11

sensory DRG

cranial nerves

Question 12

2 ways VZV can reactivate later in life

Answer 12

shingles

ramsay hint syndrome

Question 13

pregnant women who have had chickenpox

Answer 13

immune

not at risk

Question 14

pregnant women who have not had VZV

Answer 14

varicella zoster immunoglobulins given to protect against virus after exposure

Question 15

chickenpox in pregnancy - what can it cause?

Answer 15

before 28 weeks = congenital varicella syndrome

delivery = life threatening neonatal infection

Question 16

Treating VZV around time of delivery

Answer 16

varicella zoster immunoglobulins

aciclovir

Question 17

Treating chickenpox

Answer 17

usually mild and self-limiting

aciclovir

Question 18

When would aciclovir be given for chickenpox?

Answer 18

immunocompromised
adults
>14 years within 24 hours
neonates

Question 19

Treating chickenpox itching

Answer 19

calamine lotion

chlorphenamine (antihistamine)

Question 20

Education for chickenpox

Answer 20

stay off school

avoid pregnant women and immunocompromised until lesions dry and crusty

Question 21

Diagnosing shingles

Answer 21

prodromal skin sensations and pain in dermatome

2-3 days later maculopapular rash then vesicles

Question 22

where does shingles rash usually occur?

Answer 22

thorax T1-L2

Question 23

Shingles differentials

Answer 23

HSV
candida skin infection
contact dermatitis 
insect bite 
folliculitis 
urticaria

Question 24

Treating shingles

Answer 24

oral antiviral
pain management
(shingles vaccine)