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Showing posts from February, 2019

Chemoprophylaxis In Varicella Contact

” What to do when i am exposed to a varicella (chicken pox)during the infective period?". One topic debated much today was about the efficiency of acyclovir as a chemoprophylactic agent in immunocompetent persons. All of us know there is a effective, safe time tested vaccine against varicella.Only problem with this is the cost, Need two doses and cost two thousand rupees for a dose . So even though this is relevant for prevention, a country like ours can not afford. Ideally all of us should get immunized against ie primary prvention. In that case the above question does nt occur. still there is answer to the above question Vaccination even after exposure (post exposure vaccination ) is effective in varicella.This is possible because the incubation period of this illness is long enough ie two to three weeks. If we give vaccine early after contact protecive level of immunity can be raised before the actual virus produce the illness. So the illness may not occur at all or occur

Few clinical problems encountered last week

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One problem case discussed by my old student Six month old baby born out of non consanguineous marriage.  Antenatal natal and post natal period uneventful and her growth and development was normal till 13 days back. Whole event started with running nose low grade fever, which was managed symptomatically.As the cough and dyspnea worsened he was put on antibiotics orally ,later became worse and was referred to him. Patient was admitted in PICU, ventilated.Clinical ,radilogical features suggestive of bronchopneumonia.Blood culture came negative.  Baby responded well. Cirulatory status normal, chest clear. Heart sounds normal,no cardiomegaly, He was stable on minimal settings on room air but could nt be weaned from ventilator There was family history of two siblings died at eight month in similar manner. One boy and one girl. His sensorium normal,eye movement normal pupils normal and facial movement normal. Tone of limbs was on lower side and deep tendon reflexes not e