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Questions and Answers
What is the name of the causative agent of chickenpox?
What is the name of the causative agent of chickenpox?
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
What is the incubation period for chickenpox?
What is the incubation period for chickenpox?
2 to 3 weeks
What are the two main barriers that protect the meninges from being infected?
What are the two main barriers that protect the meninges from being infected?
Chickenpox is only a mild illness and does not cause serious complications.
Chickenpox is only a mild illness and does not cause serious complications.
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Which of the following conditions can increase the risk of severe chickenpox complications?
Which of the following conditions can increase the risk of severe chickenpox complications?
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What term describes the inflammation of the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid?
What term describes the inflammation of the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid?
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What is the most common type of meningitis?
What is the most common type of meningitis?
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Which virus is responsible for most mumps epidemics?
Which virus is responsible for most mumps epidemics?
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Bacterial meningitis is a less serious disease than viral meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis is a less serious disease than viral meningitis.
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What are the major causes of bacterial meningitis?
What are the major causes of bacterial meningitis?
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Bacterial meningitis is one of the top ten infectious causes of death worldwide.
Bacterial meningitis is one of the top ten infectious causes of death worldwide.
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What are some common signs and symptoms of meningitis?
What are some common signs and symptoms of meningitis?
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What is the most typical mode of transmission for bacterial meningitis?
What is the most typical mode of transmission for bacterial meningitis?
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What is the recommended time frame for administering Varicella Zoster Immuno-globulin (VZIG) after exposure to chickenpox?
What is the recommended time frame for administering Varicella Zoster Immuno-globulin (VZIG) after exposure to chickenpox?
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Which of the following individuals should be considered high-risk and receive VZIG after exposure to chickenpox?
Which of the following individuals should be considered high-risk and receive VZIG after exposure to chickenpox?
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What is the primary way to prevent chickenpox?
What is the primary way to prevent chickenpox?
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Study Notes
Chickenpox
- Common childhood illness, especially affecting those under 12
- Characterized by an itchy rash of spots resembling blisters, often accompanied by flu-like symptoms
- Causative agent: Human herpes virus 3 (Varicella-Zoster virus, VZV)
- VZV is a member of Herpes virus group
- Typically a single episode, but VZV can remain dormant and later cause shingles (herpes zoster)
Chickenpox- Mode of Transmission
- Primarily spread through direct contact with infected individuals
- Also transmitted through airborne droplets of vesicle fluid or respiratory tract secretions from vesicles
- Incubation period: 2 to 3 weeks
- Communicable period: begins about 2 days before rash appearance and continues until blisters crust over
Chickenpox- Complications
- While generally mild, chickenpox can be more severe in infants, teenagers, adults, and individuals with weak immune systems
- Can lead to secondary bacterial skin infections near blisters
- Serious complications include:
- Lung infection
- Bone and joint infection
- Brain inflammation (encephalitis)
Chickenpox and Pregnancy
- Pregnant women who haven't had chickenpox before are at risk for congenital varicella syndrome if contracting the virus during pregnancy
- Particular risk during first 20 weeks
- Potential effects on fetus include low birth weight, skin abnormalities, and issues with arms, legs, hands, feet, brain, and eyes
- Severity depends on timing of maternal infection during fetal development
- If a pregnant woman develops chickenpox just before or after childbirth, the newborn is at risk for severe and generalized chickenpox.
Prevention
- Vaccination is highly effective
- Attenuated live varicella virus vaccine (0.5ml, SC) recommended for 12-15-month-olds with booster shot at 4-6 years of age
- Vaccine effectiveness: 70-85% in preventing mild infection, above 95% in preventing moderate-to-severe infection
- Unvaccinated healthy individuals develop long-lasting immunity following chickenpox
Control
- Reporting to local health authorities
- Isolation of infected individuals (children from school until vesicles dry, usually after 5 days)
- Concurrent disinfection of items contaminated with body fluids (discharge from nose and throat)
- Vaccination for those who have contact with infected individuals (Varicella Zoster immuno-globulin, VZIG within 96 hours)
- Identifying high-risk populations for VZIG administration
Meningitis- Definition
- General inflammation of meninges (sheaths covering brain and spinal cord) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Meningitis can be caused by infectious or noninfectious agents
- Infectious agents can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and rickettsia.
Types of Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
- Relatively common but rarely serious
- Caused by various viruses, sometimes associated with other specific diseases
- Etiology unidentified in nearly 50% of cases
- Important viral causes: Mumps virus (most epidemics >25% in non-immunized populations), Enteroviruses, Coxsackievirus group B, Echovirus, and other viruses (poliovirus, measles virus)
Bacterial Meningitis
- More serious than viral meningitis
- Main causative agents:
- Neisseria meningitides (meningococcal meningitis)
- Pneumococcal pneumoniae (pneumococcal meningitis)
- Haemophilus influenzae serotype B (Haemophilus meningitis)
- Significant worldwide cause of death, according to the CDC
- Brain damage and other permanant side-effects in half of survivors
Bacterial Meningitis- Risk Groups
- Individuals with fractured skull
- Individuals with antibody/complement deficiency
- Persons with sickle cell disease
- Newborns
Bacterial Meningitis- Signs and Symptoms
- Often sudden onset, severe headache and fever
- Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lethargy, neurological symptoms, neck stiffness, altered mental status
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Convulsions
Bacterial Meningitis- Neurological Complications
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Cognitive impairment
- Hydrocephalus
- Cranial nerve damage
- Stroke
- Brain abscess
- Septic shock
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
- Multi-organ failure
Prevention and Control measures for Bacterial Meningitis
- Avoidance of close contact
- Reducing overcrowding in living and work settings
- Immunization (Limited application except for M. meningitis)
- Chemoprophylaxis(rifampicin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, sulphadiazine)
- Protecting susceptible individuals
- Treating active cases with antibiotics
Additional Risk Factors for Meningitis
- Newborns of mothers who develop chickenpox within 5 days of delivery
- Children receiving immunosuppressant drugs
- Individuals with leukemia or immune deficiencies
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Description
This quiz covers essential information about chickenpox, a common childhood illness. Learn about its symptoms, transmission methods, and potential complications, especially in vulnerable populations. Understand the role of the Varicella-Zoster virus in this condition.
