Chickenpox

Question 1

Organism responsible for chickenpox

Answer 1

varicella zoster virus

Question 2

What is the name given to the reactivation of the dormant varicella zoster virus in the dorsal root ganglion?

Answer 2

Shingles

Question 3

How is chickenpox spread?

Answer 3

respiratory route

Question 4

Can you catch chickenpox from a patient with shingles?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

For how long are you considered “infective” with chickenpox?

Answer 5

4 days before rash, until 5 days after the rash first appeared

Question 6

Incubation period of chickenpox

Answer 6

10-21 days

Question 7

Clinical features of chickenpox

Answer 7

• Initial fever
• itchy, rash starting on head/trunk
• Rash is macular then papular then vesicular

Question 8

Management of chicken pox in non-immunocompromised patients

Answer 8

• keep cool
• trim nails
• calamine lotion
• school exclusion until all the lesions are dry and have crusted over

Question 9

Common complication of chicken pox

Answer 9

secondary bacterial infection of the lesions

commonly a single infected lesion/small area of cellulitis
but can become worse

Question 10

Rare complications of chickenpox

Answer 10

pneumonia
encephalitis
disseminated haemorrhagic chickenpox
arthritis
nephritis
pancreatitis

Question 11

Management of chickenpox in immunocompromised patients/ neonates and pregnant women

Answer 11

varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG)

• If chickenpox develops then IV aciclovir should be considered

Question 12

Risks to mother and foetus if exposed to chickenpox during pregnancy

Answer 12

Mother - 5x risk of pneumonitis

Foetus - 1% risk of foetal varicella syndrome if <20 weeks
(skin scarring, eye defects, limb hypoplasia, microcephaly and learning disabilities)