Varicella Zoster

Question 1

What is the varicella zoster gurus usually referred to as?

Answer 1

chicken pox

Question 2

What are the 2 forms of varicella zoster? Describe their differences

Answer 2

1. varicella (chicken pox)
   - generalised eruption
   - primary infection
2. zoster (shingles)
   - localised to a few dermatomes
   - reactive infection

Question 3

Describe the varicella zoster rash.

Answer 3

macular rash with vesicles which drug up and form scabs

Question 4

What is the incubation period of chicken pox?

Answer 4

10-21 days

Question 5

When is an individual with chicken pox infectious?

Answer 5

1-2 days before and until scabs have formed

Question 6

Where does the chicken pox rash appear?

Answer 6

head and trunk
not on palms

Question 7

What are the potential complications of varicella (chicken pox)?

Answer 7

secondary bacterial infection resulting in scarring
thrombocytopenia purpura
arthritis, myocarditis, hepatitis
most problems relate to lungs and CNS
varicella can cross placenta during pregnancy

Question 8

What age of people are typically affect by the zoster virus?

Answer 8

elderly

Question 9

What are the 2 key complications of shingles?

Answer 9

• ophthalmic zoster (involvement of the ophthalmic trigeminal nerve) - in 25% of cases
• post hepatic neuralgia - most common complication, constant pain at rash site, exhausting and disabling

Question 10

How is varicella zoster treated? Who is offered this?

Answer 10

some are offered medication - acyclovir
- neonates
- immunocompromised
- ophthalmic zoster
- complications