Viral infections: eczema herpeticum: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Viral infections: eczema herpeticum

Sample item

A child with severe atopic dermatitis develops fever and sudden clusters of uniform, punched-out vesicles and erosions over eczematous skin. What is the best next step?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Start systemic acyclovir promptly

This is eczema herpeticum (Kaposi varicelliform eruption), a disseminated HSV infection of damaged skin. Prompt systemic acyclovir is needed to prevent viraemia, eye involvement and bacterial superinfection.

Option by option

  • A. Wait and observe with emollients

    Observation risks dissemination and complications.

  • B. Give oral flucloxacillin alone

    Antistaphylococcal cover may be added, but alone it does not treat HSV.

  • C. Start systemic acyclovir promptly (correct)

    Correct. Early antiviral therapy is essential.

  • D. Increase potent topical steroids

    Escalating steroids would worsen a herpetic infection.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is C, Start systemic acyclovir promptly. This is eczema herpeticum (Kaposi varicelliform eruption), a disseminated HSV infection of damaged skin.

Why is "Wait and observe with emollients" not the answer?

Observation risks dissemination and complications.

Why is "Give oral flucloxacillin alone" not the answer?

Antistaphylococcal cover may be added, but alone it does not treat HSV.

Why is "Increase potent topical steroids" not the answer?

Escalating steroids would worsen a herpetic infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Viral infections: eczema herpeticum in Dermatology. Prompt systemic acyclovir is needed to prevent viraemia, eye involvement and bacterial superinfection.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Viral infections: eczema herpeticum?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.