What reactivates varicella?
Primary infection causes varicella (chickenpox), after which virus becomes latent in ganglionic neurons along the entire neuraxis. With advancing age or immunosuppression, cell-mediated immunity to VZV declines and virus reactivates to cause zoster (shingles), which can occur anywhere on the body.
What is the most common treatment for varicella zoster virus?
Herpes zoster is usually treated with orally administered acyclovir. Other antiviral medications include famciclovir and valacyclovir. The antiviral medications are most effective when started within 72 hours after the onset of the rash.
Do you give acyclovir for varicella?
Acyclovir has been shown to be effective treatment for varicella and herpes zoster in immunocompromised patients and normal adults.
What is the causative agent of varicella zoster?
The causative agent is called human herpesvirus 3 (HHV-3) or varicella zoster virus (VZV).
How does VZV become reactivated?
Once infected with VZV, the person develops antibody as well as cellular immunity to the virus. Cellular immunity, or T cell response, is thought to control the reemergence of the virus later in life. When it reactivates as shingles in healthy people, it spreads from the ganglia along the nerves to the skin.
How does VZV enter the body?
It is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which enters the body through the mouth and nose after contact with an infected person. A person with chickenpox can spread the disease to someone else from one day before the rash appears until all chickenpox blisters have crusted over.
Does ganciclovir cover VZV?
Ganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir all have activity against HSV and VZV, but all also have substantial toxicities, especially when compared with acyclovir.
What does VZV mean?
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
What is 400 mg of acyclovir used for?
Aciclovir Tablets are indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes (excluding neonatal HSV and severe HSV infections in immunocompromised children).
What is aciclovir 800mg tablets used for?
Aciclovir tablets can be used mainly for the treatment of non-severe skin and mucous membranes herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Your child’s doctor will recommend IV aciclovir for the treatment of neonatal HSV and severe HSV infection, if your child’s immune system is not working properly.
How does VZV cause chickenpox?
Varicella (chickenpox) is an acute infectious disease. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is a DNA virus that is a member of the herpesvirus group. After the primary infection, VZV stays in the body (in the sensory nerve ganglia) as a latent infection. Primary infection with VZV causes varicella.