Question

A 23 year old primi gravida stays in the same house as her school going nephew, who contracted varicella infection. The woman approached the medical centre to get tested for the same and the result for varicella antibody was negative. Which of the following statements are true?

• A. She is susceptible to zoster
• B. She is susceptible to chickenpox
• C. She is immune to chickenpox
• D. She is immune to zoster

Hint:

Negative varicella antibody means no prior VZV exposure; zoster can only occur after primary chickenpox infection establishes latency.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Alternate approach -- VZV disease pathway:

$\text{VZV}$ follows a strict sequential disease pattern:

Primary exposure $\rightarrow$ Chickenpox (varicella) $\rightarrow$ Virus becomes latent in dorsal root ganglia $\rightarrow$ Reactivation = Zoster

Since the patient is $\textbf{antibody-negative}$, she has never been exposed to VZV. This means:

• She has $\textbf{not}$ had chickenpox (no primary infection)
• She has $\textbf{no}$ latent VZV in her ganglia
• She $\textbf{cannot}$ develop Zoster (requires prior primary infection)
• She $\textbf{is susceptible}$ to chickenpox from her infected nephew

In pregnancy, VZV seronegative status is particularly dangerous. VZIG should be given within 96 hours of exposure. Varicella vaccination is contraindicated in pregnancy (live attenuated vaccine).

\[\boxed{\text{She is susceptible to chickenpox}}\]