Chickenpox Flashcards
1
Q
How is chickenpox spread?
A
Respiratory route
2
Q
Can chickenpox be caught from someone with shingles?
A
yes
3
Q
How many days before the rash is it infective?
A
4 days
4
Q
How many days after the rash is it infective?
A
5 days after the rash first appeared
NOT until scabs have healed over BUT School exclusion criteria say until rashes have scabbed over.
5
Q
What is the incubation period of chickenpox?
A
10-21 days
6
Q
What are the clinical features of chickenpox?
A
- Fever initially
- Itchy, rash starting on head/trunk before spreading. Initially macular then papular then vesicular
- Systemic upset is usually mild
7
Q
How long does the HPA say they should be kept off school?
A
Until the vesicles have crusted over.
8
Q
What is a common complication of VZV?
A
- Secondary bacterial infection
9
Q
What are some rare complications?
A
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis (cerebellar involvement may be seen)
- Disseminated haemorrhagic chickenpox
- Arthritis, nephritis and pancreatitis may very rarely be seen
10
Q
Who should receive VZVIG?
A
- Immunocompromised patients
- Newborn babies with peripartum exposure
- Pregnant mothers who have never had chickenpox & are VZV IgG negative
11
Q
Why does the UK not offer vaccination for chickenpox (unlike America which does)?
A
- It is a mild condition in childhood
- If it were to stop circulating in childhood it would leave unvaccinated people vulnerable to the infection in adulthood which can be more severe.
- It could increase the incidence of shingles as adult immunity would not be boosted by initial exposure to chickenpox.
12
Q
Who is entitled to get the VZV vaccine?
A
- Healthcare workers, Carers and close contacts of whom catching chickenpox could be dangerous. (e.g. immunosuppressed patients)
- But they do not need it obviously if they have already had chickenpox.
