Exanthem starts on the trunk or scalp and spreads outwards. Lesions progress from macules to vesicles which break down with crust formation. Lesions appear in crops, scabs slough off by 10-14 days. Varicella - complications Sepsis Haemorrhagic chicken pox Varicella pneumonia Encephalitis Primary infection during pregnancy may lead to severe maternal disease, foetal damage and neonatal varicella. Surviving infants usually deaf and mentally retarded.
Available evidence suggests salivary transmission.
Seems to be closely related to CMV and HHV7. The fever subsides rapidly and is followed by the development of a rose pink macular rash after 3-5 days. Exanthem occurs predominantly on the face and neck but may spread. Latency associated with peripheral blood cells. Primary infection usually asymptomatic.