Chickenpox

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

1) prodrome : fever, lethargy and anorexia
2) followed by eruption of rash over next 3-5 days. Usually starts trunkal, can be on scalp, mouth, face and conjunctivae
3) crops of small papules that quickly become vesicular, then crust over after rupture
4) will get new papules, whilst vesicles still crusting
5) usually lesions fully crusted over by 10 days

Question 2

Complications

Answer 2

Usually benign, can be complicated by bacterial superinfection- GABHS, staph aureus
Pneumonia
Encephalitis

Complications more common in infants, >15 and immunocompromised

Recurrence of infection- shingles

Question 3

Rx

Answer 3

1) no specific Rx
Sx Mx : calamine lotion, cool compresses, oral antihistamines to improve sleep

2) scratching increase bacterial risk- keep nails short
3) aciclovir for immunocompromised
4) kids must be excluded from school till fully recovered (all lesions crusted over)