Question

Chain of infection for chiken pox

Answer 1

Chicken pox is a viral infection and is also called VARICELLA

It is a highly contagious disease caused by initial infection with VARICELLA ZOSTER VIRUS

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• characteristic feature of chickenpox is the skin rash which are small, itchy blisters
• Rash starts as small dot and progress to--> small bumps--> blisters---> pustules ----> scars
• Rashes start on chest, back, face then spreads to other parts of body
• At blister stage intense itching is present
• Blisters may be present on palms, soles and genital area
• Before exanthem (external rash), enanthem (internal rash I.e ulcers in the mouth and tonsil area) is seen
• Other symptoms are --fever, nausea, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, aching muscles

INCUBATION PERIOD

14-16 days but it might take 10-21 days also

Infected person is capable of spreading the disease 1-2 days before getting rashes until blisters have dried up.... This takes 5-7 days

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

• AIRBORNE --- through cough, sneeze of infected person
• DIRECT--contact with blisters...

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

exposure to VARICELLA ZOSTER virus --> production of host IgA, IgM, IgA antibodies ---> primary infection of mucosal and epidermis --->spreads to local nerves and remain in dorsal ganglion cells-----> signs and symptoms start

CHAIN OF INFECTION

A series of steps involved and interlinked in causing infection

1.INFECTIOUS AGENT -the organisms which cause infection

Infectious agent for chickenpox is VARICELLA ZOSTER virus

2.RESERVOIR -- any person or animal or plant or soil or substance in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiply

here reservoir is

• Respiratory tract -virus is seen in respiratory tract before onset of symptoms
• Fluid of blisters
• Nervous system (after rash resolves as shingles)

3.PORTAL OF EXIT--

site from where micro organisms leave the host to enter another host and cause disease or infection

• tiny droplets from mouth or nose when the infected person coughs or sneezes
• Fluid in blisters --when blisters break or burst the infectious liquid comes out

4.MODE OF TRANSMISSION

movement or transmission of pathogens from a reservoir to a susceptible host..once the pathogen exited the reservoir, it needs a mode of transmission to the host through portal of entry

• AIRBORNE--when an infected person sneezes or coughs, tiny droplets are released in to air... When non immune person inhales it, the virus enters his respiratory tract and causes infection
• DIRECT CONTACT -- when a non infected person comes in contact with blister fluid of infected person and if the fluid comes in contact with his eyes, nose, mouth or any cuts in the skin then he gets infected

From Pregnant women to her baby

5.PORTAL OF ENTRY

site from where infectious agent enters the susceptible host and causes disease

• Respiratory tract-- inhaling the tiny droplets
• Direct--through cuts, eyes, nose or mouth when they come in contact with the fluid in the blister

6.SUSCEPTIBLE HOST

susceptible host is the one who is at risk of becoming infected by a disease

Here it is humans who

• Have never had the chickenpox before
• Have not received vaccine

Reservoir 1. Respiratory Track 1. Pluid of Blister Nervous system Varicella zoster vinus chicken Powe SUSCEPTIBLE HOST Henars who to have never had chicken pox before • Have not received vaccine PORTAL OF EXIT 1. Tiny droplets from mouth/N 1. Blister flid MODE OF TRANSMISSION Airborne PORTAL OF ENTRY 1. Respiratory tract 1. Eyes, none, mouth, cats in the skin when comes in Contact with Blister flodd Direct

And the cycle continues

complications

• pneumonia
• Encephalitis
• Bacterial infection
• Dehydration
• Hemorrhagic problems
• Sepsis

Treatment

• infected person should stay at home to avoid spreading of infection
• Nails should be cut short
• Personal hygiene
• Paracetamol tablet for fever.... Aspirin should never be given
• Antivirals---- like acyclovir... But it should be given with in 24-48 hours from rashes onset
• Vaccination with VARICELLA ZOSTER immunoglobulin vaccine