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Health Information
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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Varicella (chickenpox)
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one.
These are the "dew drop on a
rose petal" lesions characteristic of Varicella-zoster Virus (VZV) infection,
which typically occur first on the face and trunk. Children between 5 and 9
years of age are most commonly affected. The patient is infectious from 2 days
prior to developing the rash until all the vesicles are crusted.
The most common infectious complication
is secondary bacterial superinfection by Strep pyogenes or Staph aureus. The
most common non-cutaneous site of involvement in children with VZV is the central
nervous system, and the most serious complication of VZV infection is Varicella
pneumonia, which is more common in adults. Perinatal varicella is associated
with a high death rate when maternal disease develops within 5 days before delivery
and 2 days post partum.
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