acyclovir and Measles

Childhood infectious diseases are not usually serious. The symptoms (fever, conjunctivitis, itching) diminish with the administration of antipyretic drugs. Cutaneous lesions leave no scarring. Sometimes complications may appear.

Topics: Acyclovir; Administration, Cutaneous; Antiviral Agents; Chickenpox; Child; Chorioretinitis; Conjunctivitis, Viral; Drug Therapy, Combination; Eye Infections, Viral; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Measles; Mumps; Pruritus; Rubella; Skin Diseases, Viral; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Chickenpox; Child; Exanthema; Humans; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Measles

The authors observed 25 pregnant or delivering women with varicella and their offsprings from 1986 to 1991. The course of varicella of the pregnant and delivering mothers was generally benign, only one progressive case was observed with pneumonitis after delivery; this woman also recovered upon acyclovir treatment. All but one woman delivered on term, in one case the varicella developed on the 27th gestational week; this woman gave birth to a premature baby of 1180 g who died from a cerebral and lung hemorrhage. No sign of varicella-zoster virus infection was found at the autopsy. No congenital varicella syndrome was observed during the investigation period. Varicella-zoster immunoglobulin was given to 21 newborn babies, immediately after birth. Eight of the newborns developed varicella, the course of the disease was mild in seven cases. One baby who was given no varicella-zoster immunoglobulin and developed progressive varicella recovered after acyclovir therapy. During the investigation period the authors observed three cases of zoster in infants whose mothers had had varicella during pregnancy. The authors discuss the possibilities of prevention of varicella-zoster virus infection of newborns and infants.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Measles; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Trimester, Third

Six cases of severe encephalitis due to measles, varicellae, mononucleosis, influenza, rubella and pertussis were treated with high doses of barbiturates in combination with steroids and artificial hyperventilation. Four of the patients also received antiviral therapy. They all survived without neurological sequelae. The use of barbiturates in high doses may be of importance for an improved outcome in patients with severe encephalitis.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; Chickenpox; Child; Combined Modality Therapy; Dexamethasone; Encephalitis; Female; Humans; Infant; Infectious Mononucleosis; Influenza, Human; Male; Measles; Middle Aged; Phenobarbital; Respiration, Artificial; Whooping Cough