Varicella

Question 1

Risk of fetal varicella syndrome following maternal chickenpox

Answer 1

<12 weeks 0.55%
12-28 1.4%
>28 no cases seen

Question 2

Managing exposure risk of varicella

Answer 2

If within 96 hours, VZIG

If <96 hours, no low risk, then nothing

If high risk: second half pregnancy, immunocompromised, respiratory condition, smoker, then give vzig

Question 3

Complications of varicella necessitating IV treatment

Answer 3

Respiratory symptoms
Haemorrhagic rash
New pox developing >6 days
Neurological symptoms

Question 4

Management if fetal exposure

Answer 4

Refer to MFM
Detailed anatomy 5/52 post exposure
VZV amino or pcr often unhelpful but -be can be reassuring

Question 5

Symptoms of varicella

Answer 5

Fever
Maculopapular rash with crops of vesicles
Lymphadenopathy

Pneumoninitis - sob, cough
hepatitis - bruising, jaundice
encephalitis - drowsy, seizures, photophobia

Question 6

Incubation and infective period of HZV

Answer 6

48 hours prior to rash, 15 days incubation