Varicella Zoster Flashcards
What is Varicella (zoster)?
Primary infection
Successive crops of lesions in a specific area of skin
What are the complications of varicella?
Pneumonitits in adults, X-ray calcified nodules
Encephalitis in children (males 2x more than females)
Hemorrhagic varicella, bleeding in vesicles, GUT, GU
What is reyes syndrome?
Aspirin related complication of varicella
Hepatic failure, encephalopathy
What is Herpes Zoster?
Reccurent varicella infection
Adults - located on the dermatome innervated by the affected sensory nerve. Lesions are unilateral
Where is the varicella virus latent location?
Dorsal root ganglia
What is the pathogenesis for the primary varicella infection?
Respiratory route –> viremia –> skin
Leads to macular-papular, vsicular, not umbilicated lestions
Crusts are not infectious, each crop of lesions arise in asynchronous progression
What is the incubation period for varicella?
Two weeks
Fever with each crop outbreak, wide spread rash produces higher fever
Spreads from trunk to face
How can Zoster be activated?
X-rays
Tumor in CNS
Taruma
Immunosuppression
What is the treatment for zoster lesions?
Zoster Immune Globulin (ZIG)
Prevents complications, neutralizes VZ-virus
What is the routine vaccination for children for varicella?
Attenuated live vaccine
2 doses, 1 at 12-15 months, second at 4-6 years
What are the two available varicella vaccines?
Single antigen vaccine (VARIVAX)
Combo vaccine (MMRV)
What is the zoster vaccine?
Zostavax for individuals over 60, one immunization
What is the treatment for immunosuppressed patients with V or Z?
Adenine arabinosdie
oral acyclovir
IV acyclovir for immunocompromised children
