Varicella

Question 1

Infectious timeframe

Answer 1

• highest incidence in march-May

- contagious from 2 days before the rash until all the vesicles have crusted

Question 2

Clinical presentation

Answer 2

Lesions of different stages present on the body at the same time (usually most crusting complete by day 6)

• can see pruritus with the vesicles
• should heal w/o scaring unless excoriation or secondary infection
• rash begins on trunk and spreads centrifugally

Question 3

DDx of chicken pox

Answer 3

drug eruptions, smallpox, viral exanthems, scabies, erythema multiforme, and insect bites

Question 4

Complications of chicken pox

Answer 4

Encephalitis, Reye’s syndrome, varicella pneumonia

Question 5

Congenital varicella

Answer 5

Limb hypoplasia, chorioretinitis, cortical atrophy, and cutaneous scars (highest risk when mother infected before 20 weeks)

Question 6

Neonatal varicella

Answer 6

Infant is at highest risk if mother acquired the infection from 5 days before to 2 days after delivery

Question 7

What type of vaccine is chicken pox

Answer 7

Live attenuated vaccine

Question 8

Tx of varicella

Answer 8

Mostly supportive

- acyclovir not routinely given if otherwise healthy child but can be given in >13yo and within the 1st day of symptoms