Chickenpox

Chickenpox (Varicella): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Eczema herpetikatum – skin lesion with vesicle formation that usually occurs in patients with atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) and is superinfected by herpes simplex virus (HSV). Infection with Coxsackie viruses – e.g., hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMK; hand-foot-mouth exanthema) [most common cause: Coxsackie A16 viruses]. Infection with ECHO viruses Infection with herpes simplex … Chickenpox (Varicella): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Chickenpox (Varicella): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) is an important component in the diagnosis of varicella (chickenpox). Family history What is the current health status of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you noticed any skin lesions (pruritic exanthema with nodules/vesicles and crusts)? Do you have … Chickenpox (Varicella): Medical History

Chickenpox (Varicella): Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by varicella (chickenpox), especially in immunocompromised patients: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pneumonia (pneumonia); not uncommonly severe in pregnant women; lethality of untreated varicella pneumonia in pregnancy: -44% (increasing with gestational age). Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Corneal lesions (corneal changes). Certain conditions originating … Chickenpox (Varicella): Complications

Chickenpox (Varicella): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [leading symptom: itchy exanthema (rash) with papules, vesicles, and crusts that are in various stages of … Chickenpox (Varicella): Examination

Chickenpox (Varicella): Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters 1st order Antibody detection by serologic methods such as ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) – antigen detection (IgG, IgM, and IgA Elisa). Anti-VZV IgG (in unvaccinated childbearing women with unclear or negative varicella history). KBR Laboratory parameters 2nd order Direct virus detection using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) from vesicle contents, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or … Chickenpox (Varicella): Test and Diagnosis

Chickenpox (Varicella): Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets Improvement of the symptomatology Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations Symptomatic therapy (antipyretic/antipyretic drugs if necessary). Virostasis (antivirals/drugs that inhibit viral replication; indications: Adolescents, adults, 3rd trimester of pregnancy (with confirmed exposure/exposure), immunosuppression). In pregnant women with confirmed exposure additional administration of varicella-zoster immunoglobulin required. If necessary, antibiotics to prevent bacterial superinfection (secondary infection … Chickenpox (Varicella): Drug Therapy

Chickenpox (Varicella): Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnosticsand obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of abdominal organs) – for suspected hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the renal corpuscles). X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax / chest), in … Chickenpox (Varicella): Diagnostic Tests

Chickenpox (Varicella): Prevention

Varicella vaccination (chickenpox vaccination) as a combination vaccination mumps–measles–rubella-varicella (simultaneous administration of varicella vaccine and MMR vaccine; in childhood) is the most important and effective preventive measure.To prevent varicella (chickenpox), attention must further be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Contact with ill persons in the phase of infection. However, this begins a … Chickenpox (Varicella): Prevention

Chickenpox (Varicella): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate varicella (chickenpox): Leading symptoms Itchy exanthema (rash) with papules, vesicles, and crusts (scabs) that are in various stages of development (Heubner’s star chart; starry sky); usually occurs first on the face and trunk of the body. The lesions (“damage”) can also spread to mucous membranes and hairy scalp. … Chickenpox (Varicella): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Chickenpox (Varicella): Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Varicella-zoster virus (synonyms: varicella-zoster virus (VZV) – also spelled varicella-zoster virus and referred to as human herpes virus-3)) is transmitted aerogenically or as a smear infection and enters the body through the mucous membranes or conjunctiva. From there, it travels to the lymph nodes, where it multiplies greatly and then primarily … Chickenpox (Varicella): Causes