Question

History:

5 year-old male child with multiple skin lesions (“small red bumps”) noticed 3 hours previously during dressing. The rash is limited to head and trunk. The family recently immigrated to this country from a South American country.  The child has a history of tick bite from local wooded area and possible exposure to fire ants and was treated for otitis media with ampicillin 10 days previously. One of the child’s playmates had a generalized maculo-papular rash 2 weeks ago and grandmother had a vesicular rash on arm 2 weeks ago.  The boy’s mother is 5 months pregnant.

Physical examination revealed the following:

Temperature was 100.50 F rectally. Child appears well but scratches rash.

Rash consists of 2 dozen lesions scattered over face, scalp and trunk. Most lesions are erythematous papules about 3-5 mm in diameter. A few lesions have clear fluid at the tip.

Serum from the patient was stored frozen 1 month previously for possible lab tests for other reasons.

What is the most likely organism causing this condition? 3 possible causes. What is the condition described?

Answer 1

ANSWER

   * Causative organism for this condition is varicella zoster virus.(VZV)

   * Three possible causes include

                         * Contact with infected person.(Spread easily trough cough and sneeze of

                            infected person.)

                         * Under 12 years of age.

                         * Compromised immune system of the child.

* Condition described above is Chickenpox.

* It is a contagious viral disease which result in itchy,blister like rashes on the skin.