Child in the Case Study Term Paper

g., teachers of young children, day-care employees, and residents and staff in institutional settings).

Persons who live or work in environments in which varicella transmission can occur (e.g., college students, inmates and staff of correctional institutions, and military personnel).

Nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Vaccination of women who are not pregnant -- but who may become pregnant in the future -- will reduce the risk for VZV transmission to the fetus.

Interpretation of Relative History:

18-month female with fever, diffuse rash

Prime demographic for varicella infection)

Child is irritable but alert

Good sign, since toxicity would be an issue with this child. A good level of consciousness is useful in assessing the level of illness but can change quickly in the pediatric population)

Her heart rate is 180 beats per minute

She is tachycardic, but most likely due to the fever and irritability.The child is not described as tachypneic)

She had diffuse vesiculopustular lesions over her entire body, with some areas showing older, crusted lesions.

History is typical for infection with some element of the herpes family, and in this age group without dermatomal distribution, varicella is most likely.

She had cellulitis of the right hand manifested by marked erythema, swelling, and tenderness

Possible adverse event related to the vesicular disruption of intact integument)

Laboratory data were significant only for leukocytosis, with a white blood cell count of 15,800/?l with 88% neutrophils.

Not a panic level, and probably due entirely to the cellulitis)

References

Hamment, JM. (1999) Respiratory viral infection predisposing for bacterial disease: a concise review. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology [FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol.]; 26, 189-195. 1 Dec 1999.

Haiduven-Griffiths D, Fecko H. Varicella in hospital personnel:….....