Term
| Describe the site of latency for HSV. |
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Definition
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Term
| Which strain of HSV causes primary oral herpes and what can does this result in? |
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Definition
| Either HSV 1 or 2. It can result in severe gingivostomatitis. |
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Term
| What causes oral reactivation of HSV and what is the usual consequence? |
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Definition
| Usually HSV 1. Usually asymptomatic but can cause cold sores. |
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Term
| What causes HSV genital disease what is responsible for its reactivation? |
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Definition
| HSV 1 or 2 can cause the primary infection. Reactivation is normally HSV 2. |
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Term
| What are the main complications of HSV? |
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Definition
1) Secondary bacterial infection
2) Corneal ulcers
3) Meningitis (usually HSV 2, self-limiting)
4) Herpes simplex encephalitis (usually HSV 1, life threatening). |
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Term
| What is the main risk for neonatal HSV infection? |
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Definition
| Maternal primary genital HSV at the time of delivery. |
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Term
| How would you diagnose HSV? |
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Definition
| Detection of viral DNA, collected by a lesion swab or from the CSF, by PCR. |
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Term
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Definition
| Inhibits viral polymerase. |
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Term
| How is aciclovir activated? |
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Definition
| By thymidine kinase; a viral enzyme. |
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Term
| What is the difference between aciclovir and valciclovir? |
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Definition
| Valciclovir is a prodrug of aciclovir and has better oral bioavailability. |
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Term
| Describe the progression of varicella? |
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Definition
| Macules- papules- vesicles- pustules. |
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Term
| What are the complications associated with varicella? |
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Definition
1) Bacterial sepsis
2) Varicella pneumonia (especially smokers)
3) Varicella encephalitis (rare, cerebellar ataxia in children). |
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Term
| What are the complications of zoster? |
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Definition
1) Post herpetic neuralgia
2) Bacterial sepsis
3) Ocular problems (opthalmic zoster)
4) Encephalitis/ meningitis/ myelitis. |
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Term
| What post exposure prophylaxis can be given for varicella and zoster? |
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Definition
| Zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) via an intramuscular injection. |
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