Disseminated varicella infection in a child receiving short-term steroids for asthma.
An 8-year-old boy, treated with a short course of steroids for asthma, developed a fever with abdominal pain and a generalized vesicular rash after contact with varicella-infected classmates. The clinical presentation was disseminated varicella infection with multiple organ involvement. We confirmed varicella zoster virus using a direct fluorescent antibody test. This report demonstrates the increased risk of complicated varicella associated with the use of corticosteroids, even for a short period of time.
Wu
Chang-Teng
CT
Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tauyuan, Taiwan. wct0722@yahoo.com.tw
Tsai
Shih-Chang
SC
Lin
Jainn-Jin
JJ
Hsia
Shao-Hsuan
SH
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000635:transmission*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D011239:Prednisolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone