Question

Please answer the following in regard to Varicella Zoster, sources/references would be greatly appreciated. TIA

1. Varicella Zoster is caused by?
2. Varicella Zoster is identified by the following characteristics:
3. Incubation period:
4. Symptoms:
5. Following the presentation of patients with symptoms indicative of Varicella Zoster diagnosis may be made through:
6. Treatments may include:
7. Preventative methods for preventing the growth and establishment of Varicella Zoster
8. Carriers
9. Transmission
10. Epidemiology
11. Prevalence
12. Target population:
13. Susceptibility
14. Current Research:

Answer 1

Varicella zoster is caused by Varicella zoster virus, a Human alphaherpes virus.

Varicaella Zoster virus is identified by following characteristics:

Incubation -> 10 - 21 days.

Symptoms -> Painful blisters on tongue.

Face weakened on one side, that may lead to one side hearing loss.

Continuous vomitting.

Extreme drwsiness.

Following the presentation of the patients with the symptoms indicative of Varicella Zoster virus diagnosis may be made through, a blood test. A sample of blood drawn for the infected patient is subjected to test for the varicells zoster antibodies.

Treatment : Acyclovir (a drug) and Zoster immuno globulins used for the treatment. Acyclovir used for suppressing the symptoms. Acyclovir converted to acyclovir monophosphate by thymidine kinase of virus, which further is converted to acyclovir triphosphate that inhibits DNA polymerase enzymes of virus, prventing the viral replication and rendering it inactive.

Prevention methods for preventing the growth and establishment of varicella zoster virus includes

Varicella infection (Chikenpox) vaccine that is the best way of prevention.

Not to come in contact with the chikenpox blisters.

Not to come in physical contact or keep safe distance from infected person till all the blisters disappear from his body.

Carrier: There are no specific carriers for virus.

Transmission: Transmitteed via air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus survives for few hours, sometimes upto a day or two in the external environments.

Epidemiology: The viral infection may be accompanied by serious complications including pneumonia, bronchitis and encephalities. the virus incubation period is about 10-21 days through when the symptoms develop. Varicella zoster remains dormant in the nervous system for somoe time even after the symptoms are resolved.

Prevalence: This virus is prevalent in children (affects children of 1-5 years of age). Hence, it has become mandatory for the children to be vaccinated against the virus.

Target population include children (1-5 years of age) and pregnant women are also prone to the infection during the first two trimesters. This may result in the transplacental transmission of the virus being a cause of severe congenital infection in fetus.

Susceptible: The person the more allergic to the respiratory disease, and the ones who are immunocompromised.

Current research on varicella focuses on understanding the mechanisms of latency and reactivation for varicella. Different models aiding the study relating to the prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to treat vaicella associated pathologies.