Herpes virus infections Flashcards
Describe herpez simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV1 and HSV2)?
- Viruse multiplies in epithelial cells of mucosal surfaces
- Producing vesicles or ulcers
- Lifelong latent infection when virus enters sensory neurones at infection site
A 20 year old woman who is 16 weeks pregnant presents with pain passing urine and an irritating rash. On exmination she has a tender, red, vesicular rash on her vulva. A urine dipstick shows both blood and white cells. What is the best treatment?
Oral aciclovir
Describe the presentation of HSV1 and 2?
- Sensory tingling prodrome -> vesicles -> ulcers
- Systemic symptoms are possible
- Reactivation is usually less severe unless immunocompromise
Describe Herpes labialis?
- Cold sore lesion at lip border
- Predominantly HSV-1
Describe Genital herpes?
Usually HSV2
Describe Gingivostomatitis?
- Fever, sore throat -> tender oropharyngeal vesicles
Describe Herpetic whitlow?
- Painful vesicles on distal phalynx
- Innoculation through break in the skin
Derscribe Herpex encephalitis?
- HSV1 in immunocompromised
- Transfer of virus from peripheral site to brain via neuronal transmission
- Prodrome: fever, headache, malaise
- Then: encephalopathy
Describe the diagnosis of a herpes simplex virus?
- Clinical diagnosis
- Viral PCR of CSF, swab or vesicle scraping
- Also culture, immunofluorescence, serology
Treatment for herpez simplex viruses?
- Aciclovir
- Reduces symptoms and viral shedding
- Does no prevent latent infection
- IV aciclovir for HSV encepphalitis
Management of a woman with primary genital herpes in her third trimester of pregnancy?
- Oral aciclovir until delivery
- Delivery by caesarean section
Describe varicella zoster virus (human herpes virus 3)?
- Primary infection transmitted via respiratory droplets
- Invades respiratory mucosa, replicates in lymph nodes
- Virus containing vesicles = chicken pox
- Dermatomal reactivation of dormant virus = shingles
Describe Chicken pox?
- 2 day prodrom: fever, malaise, headache
- Then rash: pruritic, erythematous macules
- Complications in immunosuppressed:
- Encephalitis, VZV pneumonia, transverse myelitis
Describe shingles?
- Painful, hyperaesthetic area
- Macular, vesicular rash in dermatomal distributiion
- Infectious until scabs appear
Complications of shingles?
- Post-herpetic neuralgia
- Ramsey hunt syndrome