The nurse is assessing an expectant female who is suspected to have varicella-zoster (vzv). what assessment findings would indicate vzv and what complications should be monitored for if vzv is present?

Respuesta :

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes varicella or chicken pox in humans. Chicken pox is generally found in children of 1 to 9 years of age but the virus can also infect the adults. The VZV infection becomes more complicated if it occurs in a pregnant woman.

Every pregnant woman should be checked for VZV infection. If a woman did not get affected with VZV will not have the antibodies against the virus. Such woman should be given varicella vaccine.

In a VZV infected pregnant woman the following symptoms can be seen such as fever, myalgia, malaise and painful skin rashes. The lesions or rashes first appear on the head and trunk that spreads to the lower parts of the body. The disease becomes complicated if pneumonia and encephalitis also occurs along with VZV infection. 

The infectious disease that is induced by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is chickenpox. It has a negative impact on babies, elderly people, and adults. The infection causes the formation of blisters usually on the back, face, and stomach.

Further Explanation:

The symptoms of VZV infection are headache, fever, blister rash, pain, itching, and burning sensation. The pregnant women who have not been previously exposed to the virus if gets infected by the virus have a higher risk for complications during pregnancy as the virus can cause defects in the fetus. Therefore, a doctor usually performs a blood test to detect the presence of the virus. A positive result in the early stage of pregnancy might help prevent the virus from its proliferation due to early medication.

The varicella virus can be transmitted to the developing fetus during pregnancy through the placenta. The risk of it being developed in the baby depends on the time of infection to the mother. An infection in the first 12 weeks imposes a risk of 0.5 to 1% to the baby of developing the birth defect which is called congenital varicella syndrome. The infection in the later stage of the pregnancy has a higher risk of developing the defects. The viral infection is potentially risky for the baby, therefore steps must be taken to minimize the risk when pregnant. As a result, the expectant women must be screened for the VZV so that necessary precautions can be taken. In case of an infection, varicella-zoster immune globulin must be given to the mother for the production of antibodies against VZV which helps in the reduction of risk to the mother and the fetus.  

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: Complications during Pregnancy

Subject: Biology

Keywords:

Varicella, Zoster virus, chickenpox, blisters, pregnancy, varicella-zoster immune globulin, congenital varicella syndrome.