Clinical and Epidemiologic Characteristics of Smallpox Smallpox is a viral disease unique to humans. To sustain itself, the virus must pass from person to person in a continuing chain of infection and is spread by inhalation of air droplets or aerosols. Twelve to 14 days after infection, the patient typically becomes febrile and has severe aching pains and prostration. Some 2 to 3 days later, a...

INTRODUCTION Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) was first documented in the writings of ancient civilizations as a vesicular rash of unknown causes. A relationship between herpes zoster and chickenpox was suggested in 1888 and was finally proven in the 1950s. Since then, much progress has been made in preventing and treating the disease with the introduction of a live attenuated vaccin...

OBJECTIVE To report occupationally related outbreak of chickenpox in intensive care unit (ICU). CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION The index patient was a 4-year-old child who presented with a 3-day history of fever and rash and was clinically diagnosed as chickenpox encephalitis. She was admitted to an isolation room in ICU, kept on oxygen mask and given intravenous fluids, anticonvulsant, a...

An outbreak of chickenpox occurred between December 2015 and May 2016 among asylum seekers in a reception centre in Latium, Italy. We describe the epidemiological and laboratory investigations, control measures and validity of reported history of chickenpox infection. Serological screening of all residents and incoming asylum seekers was performed, followed by vaccine offer to all susceptible i...

BACKGROUND Despite international notification requirements, the magnitude of disease transmission on board ships remains undetermined. This case series aims to exemplify that varicella aboard ships is a topic of interest for maritime medicine and of public health significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Systematic presentation of cases of chickenpox reported to the Hamburg Port Health Authority bet...

In many locales, school and daycare policies require children with chickenpox to stay home until the rash has crusted over or cleared. In 1994, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), as part of the statement “Chickenpox: Prevention and treatment”, recommended exclusion only while the child is so ill as to require more care than can be provided by school or daycare personnel [1]. The CPS recomme...

Varicella infection during the first and second trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk for congenital varicella syndrome 0.5-1.5% above the baseline risk for major malformation. Third trimester infection may lead to maternal pneumonia which can be life threatening if not treated appropriately. Varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG) should be administered as soon as possible preferably wi...

Examination of the bone marrow in thrombocytopenic purpura shows two main patterns: the megakaryocytes are either deficient or else present in normal or even increased numbers. The former group results from depression of the marrow as by poisoning or mechanical displacement of the cells themselves by foreign tissue in leukaemia, infiltration with malignant cells, replacement with bone or fibrou...

background and objectives: varicella zoster virus (vzv) infection in pregnant women can cause complications for the mother and fetus. the aim of this study was to assess the immunity against vzv among young women before marriage. materials and methods: in this cross-sectional study 250 of women referring to health centers in sanandaj, iran, for pre-marital medical check-up were selected. the vz...