Varicellla

Question 1

Describe the symptoms of congenital Varicella infection.

Answer 1

Occurs if mother is infected between weeks 7-28.

Presents with microcephaly, limb hypoplasia, cutaneous dermal scarring, cataracts/blindness, high mortality.

Question 2

Describe the clinical picture and causes of Varicella/chicken pox infection.

Answer 2

Extremely pruritic, starts to crust in 24-48 hours.
Causes fever, pharyngitis, malaise.
■ spread by resp droplets, incubation time 14 days
■ Infectious from 48 hours prior to skin lesions until those lesions have
fully crusted over.
■ Vaccinated kids can still get a few lesions but very mild case

Question 3

Treatment of Varicella infection

Answer 3

● Supportive: antihistamines (reduce pruritis), acetaminophen (for fever), clip fingernails (prevent skin damage from itching).

● Antiviral: acyclovir may modestly decrease illness severity if started early.
Indicated if child > 12 y/o or has severe complications or risk factors.

Question 4

Complications of Varicella infection

Answer 4

Superinfection by S. pyogenes, reactivation