Polish consensus guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of VZV and HSV infections.

A physician has to perform a benefit-risk assessment each time acyclovir is prescribed "off label" for children. A group of Polish infectious disease experts was created to develop evidence-based guidelines on the use of acyclovir in the treatment and prevention of varicella zoster and herpes simplex infections. In primary varicella zoster virus infections, oral acyclovir treatment is recommended in children over 12 years of age and should be considered in younger children who fall into one of the groups at risk of severe varicella.

Routine and recommended vaccinations for travellers.

Travel risks should not be neglected. Health hazard is unprofitable. Adequately planned, individually adjusted prophylaxis makes travel not only pleasant, but safe as well.

[Diagnostic difficulties in neuroborreliosis in children].

Objective: Analysis of clinical picture in children hospitalized because of suspicion of neuroborreliosis and evaluation of usefulness of testing serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for specific antibodies.

Material And Methods: 23 children (age: 13 months - 15.5 years) were hospitalized: 11 children with facial palsy, 2 children with radiculopathy and 10 children with headache.

[Mumps--an underestimated disease].

Unlabelled: In countries, where vaccination against mumps is not obligatory, epidemic increase in morbidity is observed every 4-5 years. In Poland vaccination had not been obligatory until 2004. Year 2004 was an epidemic year--135,178 cases were reported.

[Varicella--mild or dangerous disease].

Objective: The aim was an analysis of causes of varicella complications in children hospitalized in the Department if Infectious Diseases In Childhood of Medical University in Warsaw.

Methods And Main Observations: 105 children from 15 day to 15 years of age was observed. 58.

[Borreliosis in children - clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment].

Lyme Disease (Borreliosis) is a multisystem inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by the bite of ixodes infected ticks. We would like to present our experience with the treatment of borreliosis in collaboration with the Warsaw Medical Academy's Department of Infectious Disease. Fifty-nine children (aged between 14 months to 16 years) were hospitalized or ambulatory treated due to borreliosis during 5 years between 1997 and 2001.