Question

Dr. Larsen has asked you to search the Internet for recent articles (within the last year) on chickenpox (varicella) or mumps (epidemic parotitis). Prepare one patient education form (or brochure) containing both chickenpox and mumps, including (1) a complete description of the disease, (2) signs and symptoms, (3) precautions to be taken by the infected patient and by those caring for the patient, and (4) treatment(s). Differentiate for the reader between the two conditions. Include bibliographic data in either MLA or APA format for resources you used.

Answer 1

1.)Chicken pox :

Its a disease caused by Varicella Zoster virus, characterized by generalized diffuse bilateral vesicular rashes which occur following primary infection, mostly in children.

Portal of entry : Upper respiratory mucosa or conjunctiva

Spread : Replicated in regional lymph nodes, primary viremia in blood, liver and spleen multiplies, then secondary viremia in mononuclear cells

Skin: virus replication in epithelial cells leads to development of rashes

2.) Signs and symptoms :

Incubation period - 10 to 21 days

Rashes: vesicular, centripetal distribution, bilateral and diffuse distribution, appear in multiple crops

Disease of child hood. In adults - more severe with bullous and hemorrhagic rashes

Complication : CNS involvement. Encephalitis and meningitis

In pregnant mothers - congenital varicella syndrome.

3.) Precautions :

Infected patients - should cover their mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing as the virus is shed in the respiratory secretions. They should maintain distance from other people and get treatment immediately

Those who care for patients : must remember to use a mask and wash the hands after contact with a patient. Should not come in direct contact with the fluid of the vesicles.

4.) Treatment :

Acyclovir is drug of choice, it can prevent complications of chicken pox also halt progression in adults.

Vaccination : live attenuated Oka strain.

1.) Mumps :

Mumps is the most common cause of parotid gland enlargement in children. In severe cases, it can also cause orchitis and aseptic meningitis.

Transmission : through respiratory route via droplets.

Primary replication: nasal mucosa or respiratory tract mucosa, infects mononuclear cells and regional lymph nodes and then viremia, dissemination

Target sites - glandular epithelium - salivary gland, testes, pancreas, ovaries, mammary glands and cns

2.) Signs and symptoms :

Incubation period - 19 days

Mostly affected people are asymptomatic or with non specific symptoms like fever, myalgia, anorexia

Bilateral parotitis : acute non suppurative parotid gland enlargement

Epididymo - orchitis : unilateral orchitis. Post pubertal males.

Aseptic meningitis : self limiting condition except deafness

Pancreatitis, oophoritis

Atypical mumps

3.) Precautions :

infected patients : Should cover their mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing as the virus is shed in respiratory secretions. They should maintain distance from other people and get treatment immediately.

Those who care for patients : must remember to use a mask and wash the hands after contact with patient. Try to avoid direct contact.

4.) Treatment :

No specific anti viral drug. Only symptomatic treatment.

Mumps immunoglobulin available for post exposure prophylaxis

Vaccine : live attenuated vaccine - Jeryl Lynn strain. In chick embryo technique. Available as MMR ( measles, mumps, rubella)