Viral Chickenpox

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

A highly contagious viral infection that produces a disseminated rash

Question 2

What causes it?

Answer 2

Varicella Zoster Virus

Question 3

How does it spread?

Answer 3

Through airborne respiratory droplets or through direct contact with fluid from open sores

Question 4

Can you catch it twice?

Answer 4

This is unlikely as one episode confers lifelong immunity

Question 5

Who is affected?

Answer 5

Everyone but usually occurs in the under 10

Question 6

Signs and Symptoms (12)

Answer 6

itchy red papules, progression to vesicles and blisters, disseminated, itchy, uncomfortable, high fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, *more severe symptoms in adults

Question 7

What is the treatment? (4)

Answer 7

In healthy children only requires supportive therapy such as moisturisers, paracetamol, calamine to calm itching, oral aciclovir can be given to adults with more severe symptoms

Question 8

What are the complications? (12)

Answer 8

Secondary bacterial infection, dehydration from vomiting/diarrhoea, exacerbation of asthma, viral pneumonia, Disseminated Primary Varicella infection, Reye syndrome, Guillan Barre, Encephalitis, Thrombocytopenia, Purpura, Premature labour, shingles

Question 9

Is there anything to prevent it?

Answer 9

If people haven’t had it in childhood they can have a vaccine

Question 10

Can NSAIDs be used?

Answer 10

NO, they make the blisters go deeper and put the patient at greater risk of developing secondary bacterial infection