Varicella Zoster Flashcards
What does infection with varicella zoster cause.
Chickenpox.
Who is most affected by varicella zoster infections.
Usually children.
How is varicella zoster infection spread.
Person to person contact.
What are the clinical signs of varicella zoster infection. (3)
Fever.
Headache.
Vesicular rash.
How is a diagnosis of varicella zoster infection made. (2)
Clinically.
Viral culture.
What are some potential complications of varicella zoster infection. (6)
Shingles. Birth defects if pregnant. Pneumonia. Purpura fulminans/DIC. Pneumositis and ataxia are commoner in pregnancy and adults than children.
What is varicella zoster infection.
It is a contagious febrile illness with crops of blisters at various stages.
What is the incubation period for varicella zoster.
11-21days.
For how long is varicella zoster infectious.
Infectious from 4days before the rash appears until all the lesions are scabbed. (approximately 1week).
What is shingles.
Reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus (dormant in the dorsal root ganglion).
What is characteristic about the symptoms of shingles.
They have a dermatomal distribution.
What is post herpatic neuralgia.
It is pain in the dermatoes affected by shingles.
How long can post herpatic neuralgia last.
It can last years.
