Viral skin infections Flashcards
Which virus causes both shingles and chickenpox?
Varicella Zoster
What is shingles?
A reactivation of chickenpox in a dermatome
What does chickenpox look like?
Macules to papules to vesicles to scabs.
General inflammation with fever and itch.
What are the complications of chickenpox?
Secondary bacterial infection
Pneumonitis
Scarring
When is chickenpox dangerous?
In extremes of age and in thoses with depressed immunity
What is neonatal varicella zoster virus?
Secondary to the mother having chickenpox in late pregnancy.
High mortality.
Child born with chickenpox
When can shingles be dangerous?
If it affects the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.
Urgent referral required.
What is Ramsay-Hunt syndrome?
Vesicles and pain in auditory canal and throat.
CNVII (facial) palsy
Irritation of CNVIII causing deafness, vertigo and tinnitus
Is chickenpox vaccinated against?
Not routinely. Children are encouraged to “catch” chickenpox in primary school ages.
Live attenunated vaccine used for susceptible health care workers
How does the herpes simplex virus present?
Coldsores.
Primary gingivostomatitis.
Lasts around 1 week
What are the two types of herpes simplex virus?
HSV1 is the main cause of coldsores and also causes half of genital warts.
HSV2 is rare and can cause encephalitis, espec in neonates
What is the treatment for VZV and HSV?
Aciclovir is an anti-viral an an analogue of guanosine.
What colour of bottle is a viral swab put in?
Red topped
When is a yellow topped vacutainer used?
For antibody testing when a swab is unavailable
What is erythema multiformae?
Described as target lesions with erythema.
HSV and mycoplasma pneuomoniae both trigger.
What is molloscum contagiosum?
Fleshy, firm and umbilicated pearlescent nodules.
Common in children and can also be sexually transmitted.
How are molluscum contagiosum treated?
Normally disappear in a few months but can be frozen with liquid nitrogen
What causes warts?
A strain of Human Papilloma virus
What are verrucas?
Same as warts but always on the foot.
How are warts/verrucas treated?
Topical salicylic acid
Which strains of HPV cause cervical cancer?
16 and 18
Which strains are most commonly associated with warts and verrucas?
Types 1-4
What is herpangina?
Blistering rash at the back of the mouth cause by enterovirus e.g. coxsackie virus
What is needed to diagnose herpangina?
Antibody testing for parvovirus B19 IgM and a stool sample for PCR testing
