Viral skin infections
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Viral skin infections
1. Warts
2. Molluscum contagiosum
3. Herpes simplex / cold sore/
4. Herpes zoster /shingles
5. Others
◦ Kaposi’s sarcoma
◦ Chickenpox
◦ Pityriasis rosea
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[Link]
Small, benign growths caused by a viral infection of the
skin or mucous membrane.
Common benign tumor caused by HPV (DNA virus)
Transmitted by direct contact
Affect all age group but common in 12- 16 years old
Asymptomatic except whom appears on weight
bearing areas
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Warts cont’d…
Types of wart
1. Common wart (virrucae vulgaris)
2. Plane warts
3. Plantar wart (vaccucae plantaris)
4. Genital wart /venereal warts/condyloma
acuminate
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Warts cont’d…
A. Common wart (verruca vulgaries)
Caused by HPV 2, 4
Multiple raised hyperkeratotic lesion
Common hand warts grow around the nails, on
the fingers, and on the backs of hands.
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Warts cont’d…
B. Plane (flat /juvenile) warts/Verrucae plana
Caused by HPV 3, 10
frequently on face , back and back of hands
Very small (1-3 mm) slightly raised
Smaller and smoother than other warts
Resistant to therapy
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Warts cont’d…
C. plantar wart
Caused by HPV 1
Warts of the soles of foot
Constant pressure and friction causes in ward
growth than out ward growth
The ball of the foot, the heel and the plantar part
of the toes are the most likely locations
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Warts cont’d…
D. Genital wart (Condylomata Acuminata)
Caused by HPV 6,11,16,18,31
Develop in large cluster & More contagious than
other warts
Transmitted by sexual contact
In women, appear within the vagina, on the cervix,
and around the anus or within the rectum.
In men, appear on the tip of the penis but may also
be found on the scrotum or around the anus.
Re infections is very common
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E. Perineal wart
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Warts cont’d…
Treatment of warts
Common warts resolve spontaneously but some
treatment include:-
Salicylic acid paint
Podophyllin , applied 10-25% once or twice
weekly until wart resolves for genital warts.
Surgical: Curettage
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2. Molluscum contagiosum
An infectious disease of the skin and mucuous
membranes, caused by a poxvirus
Common cause of dermatological out pt referral
in under five children.
It is a self-limited disease, but spontaneous
resolution may take months to years.
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Molluscum cont’d…
C/M
Lesion seen on face and neck
Has a painless and raised skin lesions which are
dome-shaped, usually multiple, umblicated.
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Molluscum contagiosum cont’d…
Treatment
Puncturing the lesion individually by (forceps,
curette) and applying iodine
Use betadine solution or scrub after the above
until dry.
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3. Herpes simplex
Is a common viral infectious disease of human
Skin lesion is characterized by painful grouped
micro vesicles which soon rupture to form yellow
crust and has tendency to recur.
Herpes simplex infection is spread by direct
contact.
Cause- HSV
Common site- adjacent areas of mucus
membrane and skin (lips)
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Herpes simplex cont’d…
Treatment
Topical acyclovir
Oral acyclovir
NB: Secondary bacterial infection can be treated
by systemic antibiotics
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Herpes simplex cont’d…
Nursing interventions
Keep the lesions clean and proper hygienic care to
reduce or relieve pain
Apply small ice bag
Teach the patient to wear clean, soft and absorbent
Encourage b/d rest and adequate fluid intake
Administer the prescribed drugs
Psychological reassurance
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4. Herpes zoster /shingles
It is an inflammatory viral condition
characterized by painful vesicular eruption
along the side of sensory nerves (dermatome).
Indicated in WHO HIV/AIDS clinical stage II
Represents a reactivation of latent varicella
virus infection
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Herpes zoster cont’d…
Cause
Varicella virus (varicella zoster virus)
A group of DNA virus
The virus is indistinguishable from chicken pox
virus
The infection reflects low immunity
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Herpes zoster cont’d…
C/M
pain usually along dermatome
Malaise & fever( some times)
Itching, tingling, or severe burning pain
Red patches that develop into blisters
Linear erythematous band along dermatome
Vesicles which may later changed to purulent
The intimation is unilateral
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Herpes zoster cont’d…
Management
Goal
Relief pain
Reduce or avoid complication
Therapy
Analgesics
Systemic steroid
Antibiotics
Wound care Iodine can be used
Antiviral- acyclovir based on body weight
Health educations
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4. Chickenpox
A primary infection with the varicella-zoster
virus
It is a common, very contagious infection in
children.
Red macules, papules and shortly there after
vesicles, pustules and crusts develop on the
trunk, scalp and mucous membranes, less so on
extremities and face.
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Chickenpox cont’d…
Itching is the main complaint
Crusts fall off in 1-3 weeks.
In immuno-compromised persons chickenpox
becomes a life-threatening disease.
Possible complications include:-
Nephritis
Myositis
otitis and
meningo-encephalitis.04/01/2024 Integumentary by DTC 26
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Chickenpox cont’d…
Management
Antihistamines for extreme itch.
Rest
Isolate patient if possible
systemic antibiotic
acyclovir 200-800 mg 5 times daily for 5-10
days based on child’s weight
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