Rashes and Viruses and complications and Management

Question 1

what 2 diseases does the The Varicella Zoster Virus cause

Answer 1

Varicella “chickenpox” – PRIMARY INFECTION

Herpes Zoster (HZ) “Shingles” – SECONDARY REACTIVATION

Question 2

A person with chickenpox is most infectious from _______days before the rash appears until all the blisters have crusted over

Answer 2

1-2 DAYS

Question 3

List the order of how the chicken pox sores progress

Answer 3

Macule –> papule –> vesicle –> pustule —> crust

Question 4

what is the typical distribution of chicken pox

Answer 4

Centrifugal

Question 5

what are the important questions to ask someone with chicken pox

Answer 5

Consider:
Age of the patient
Onset of rash
Any contacts?
Immuno-suppressed?
Pregnant?

Question 6

How do you confirm the diagnosis for chicken pox

Answer 6

Pop lesion with a sterile needle
(Don’t wipe it with alcohol swab first)
Absorb vesicle contents onto swab
Replace swab in cassette and send for VZV/HSV PCR

Question 7

briefly describe Foetal varicella syndrome (FVS)

Answer 7

Very rare
If maternal chickenpox occurs in the
first half of pregnancy, about 2% of
infants will develop FVS

Question 8

Describe viral dormancy in chicken pox

Answer 8

Primary infection –widespread chickenpox

Viral dormancy in dorsal root or cerebral ganglion

Localised reactivation – shingles

Question 9

what is the location reactivatin of shingles

Answer 9

Cervical, lumbar and sacral dermatomes are less frequently involved
10-20% of cases are ophthalmic (trigeminal nerve)

Question 10

what are some parvovirus complications