Varicella (chickenpox)
Disease.
- Usually uncomplicated in kids
- Highly contagious due to spread by aerosol.
- Most common complication in adults is pneumonia
Diagnosis.
- primarily based on unique clinical appearance
- can be confirmed by IgM against VZV (i.e. recent B cell stimulation)
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Treatment.
- If diagnosed early, can be treated with acyclovir-related drugs to speed resolution of lesions (acyclic analogs of guanosine).