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You are here: Home / Podcasts / 104: Viruses & looking into 2023 and when the 33 Days cohorts will be offered

104: Viruses & looking into 2023 and when the 33 Days cohorts will be offered

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Cytomegalovirus Infection (CMV)

  • Transmitted by direct contact – During birthing process, sexual contact
  • Virus may shed without any symptoms and is found in urine, saliva, blood, tears, semen and breast milk
  • One of the TORCH infections (Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, CMV, Herpes)
  • May remain latent in the body for long periods of time
  • Human herpes type 5
  • Viral infection may be very serious in the immunocompromised
  • Causes mononucleosis without a sore throat (T -Cells have only one nucleus and are enlarged with this infection)

Clinical Presentation

  • Most commonly there are no symptoms
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Muscle aches
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Ulcers in the digestive tract, possible causing bleeding
  • Hepatitis
  • Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain
  • Behavioral changes

Neonatal signs and symptoms

  • Jaundice
  • Purple skin splotches or a rash or both
  • Low birth weight
  • Seizures
  • Enlarged spleen and poorly functioning liver
  • Pneumonia

Diagnosis

  • Culture is possible but very difficult
  • Tissue biopsy with H&E stain will show owl eye inclusion bodies — (The only other place you are likely to see owl eye’s is in Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin’s lymphoma and they are referring to the entire nucleus not to inclusion bodies)
  • PCR may be used on body fluids
  • Antibody serology is also used

Treatment

  • Typically no treatment is necessary other than supportive care
  • Medication – Antivirals
    • Ganciclovir
    • Valganciclovir
    • Foscarnet
    • Cidofovir
  • CMV immunoglobulin

Epstein-Barr

  • Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4),
  • Types of infection:
    • Infectious mononucleosis with a sore throat (T -Cells have only one nucleus and are enlarged with this infection)
    • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
    • Burkitt’s lymphoma (Epstein Barr virus found in 100% of patients)
  • Mode of transmission: direct contact

Clinical Presentation

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Significant fatigue that may last for weeks
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Lack of appetite
  • Rash
  • Weakness and sore muscles

Physical exam findings

  • Think Strep throat +
    • Lymphadenopathy. Strep is anterior chain, mono is Anterior posterior and cervical
    • Exudative pharyngitis
    • Enlarged spleen

Diagnosis

  • Heterophil antibody test (Monospot)
    • False positives and negatives may occur
    • Retest a few weeks later to confirm results if necessary
  • EBV Antibody test
    • The presence of EBV IgM indicates acute infection

Treatment

  • Supportive care
  • Painkillers relieve body aches
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen
  • Hydration

Herpes Simplex Types 1 & 2

  • Transmitted through direct contact. Transmission may occur without any visual signs of disease.
  • Skin infection, eye infection, Central nervous System infection
  • HSV type 1 – oral herpes – cold sore
  • HSV type 2 – genital herpes
  • Virus becomes latent within a neuron and is never fully cleared
  • Causes of reactivation
  • Overexposure to sunlight
  • Illness
  • Stress
  • Immunosuppression

Clinical Presentation

  • Fluid filled blisters
    • Tingling itching and burning occurs before blisters appear
  • Flu like symptoms
    • Fever
    • Muscle aches
    • Swollen glands
  • Genital herpes may cause painful or difficult urination
  • Severe conjunctivitis

Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings

  • Blisters typically around mouth (vermillion border) or genitals
  • Tzanck test – multinucleated giant cells
  • PCR
  • Slit lamp examination with fluorescein stain for suspected eye infection
  • Dendritic lesion is diagnostic

Treatment

  • Prevention
    • Barrier protection for sex
  • Antivirals oral and topical
    • Acyclovir
    • Valaciclovir
    • Famciclovir

Influenza

  • Influenza virus is an RNA virus in the Orthomyxoviridae family
  • Three subtypes
    • Influenza A
      • Aquatic birds are the natural host
      • Most virulent type
      • Spanish Flu, Asian Flu, Bird Flu
    • Influenza B
      • Humans are the natural host
      • Slower mutating than Influenza A
    • Influenza C
      • Infects dogs and pigs
  • Airborne transmission
  • Children < 5 and adults > 65 are at risk for significant complications

Clinical Presentation

  • Fever
  • Aching muscles and joints
  • Sore throat
  • Chills and sweats
  • Headache
  • Photophobia
  • Congestion
  • Fatigue / weakness

Labs, Studies and Physical Exam Findings

  • Clinical assessment
  • Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs)
    • Throat swab or nasal secretions with PCR
  • Viral culture
    • Gold standard – but not helpful for treatment because it take about a week to get results.
    • Used to identify different strains of the Flu
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Chest x-ray

Treatment

  • Yearly vaccination for everyone > 6 months old
  • Supportive care
  • Bedrest
  • Neuraminidase inhibitors (stop release of virus from cells)
    • Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can be used in children > 12
    • Zanamivir – (Relenza) can be used in children > 7
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