Chickenpox in a child - we diagnose, treat, prevent the spread. Incubation and prodromal period in chicken pox. Is it true that it is better to get chickenpox in childhood?

Chickenpox is an infectious disease. Chickenpox is a common disease in children, but adults are also susceptible to this infection. Being around someone who has chickenpox is very dangerous because the virus spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is also possible to contract chickenpox through contact with the rash of an infected person. People who are not vaccinated against chickenpox are always at risk of contracting chickenpox.

How can you get chickenpox

Everyone should know basic information about the symptoms of chickenpox; this is especially true for parents of young children. Your child can be infected with the varicella-zoster virus if they just touch an infected person. Moreover, if a person with chickenpox sneezes near others, this can also be the cause of the infection. Remember, the symptoms of chickenpox in children are the same as the symptoms of chickenpox in adults: fever, headache, nausea, pain, and loss of appetite. If you notice a rash or spots on your child's skin, call the doctor immediately.

How many times can you get chickenpox

There are a few other important things about chickenpox symptoms that should be noted. If a person is infected with chickenpox, he will not get chickenpox a second time. Remember also that if you are the mother of a child and have not had chickenpox before, you have every chance of contracting chickenpox from your own child. A pregnant woman must also be very careful not to get chickenpox.

chickenpox incubation period

The incubation period for chickenpox takes 10 to 21 days for the disease to fully develop in adult patients. A person suffering from chickenpox remains contagious for 10 to 14 days, until all of their blisters have crusted over. During the first 5 days of chickenpox, the child should be kept at home and any contact with other children is prohibited until the rash has dried up. It is important to make sure that a child with chickenpox cannot infect other children. The varicella zoster virus, the cause of chickenpox, spreads rapidly from an infected person to other people through contact. The following are the most common chickenpox symptoms that require immediate treatment.

10. Chickenpox Symptoms: Rash

Chickenpox symptoms appear approximately 10 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Chickenpox rash is the most predominant symptom of the disease. However, there are other symptoms that appear about 2 days before the rash. But these symptoms are not definitive; rashes are a characteristic feature that provides a definitive diagnosis of chickenpox.

9. Symptoms of chickenpox: fever, high temperature

Fever as a symptom of chickenpox can begin about 1-2 days before the rash appears. The temperature in chickenpox is usually 38°C (Celsius) or more. High fever is the most common of all secondary symptoms of chickenpox and is more common in adults than in children. Antipyretic drugs, usually paracetamol, can be taken to treat high fever in chickenpox. However, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist to choose the right medicine. Of all the antipyretics for chickenpox, studies have shown that Ibuprofen should be avoided as it worsens the disease.

8. Chickenpox Symptoms: Muscle Pain

Muscle pain is accompanied by fatigue and irritability if you suffer from chickenpox. Muscle pain with chickenpox also begins about 2 days before the rash. Along with muscle pain, joint pain may appear. These symptoms of chickenpox, however, are not mandatory. Some patients have only muscle pain, some have both types of pain. Take pain medication to relieve these chickenpox symptoms.

7. Symptoms of chickenpox: loss of appetite

As the varicella-zoster virus enters the body, the sick person feels discomfort and refuses to eat. A person with chickenpox should drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. For children - as an option - sugar-free popsicles are a good way to get liquid. The loss of appetite is not very severe and passes fairly quickly. It is also a secondary symptom of the chickenpox symptom that appears before the rash.

6. Symptoms of chickenpox: cough or runny nose

"Influenza" condition with chickenpox is common in both adults and children. Some children may have more severe symptoms. A runny nose with chickenpox is often accompanied by a cough, the condition is well relieved by antihistamines. If the cough with chickenpox becomes worse or the patient begins to feel sick, an urgent need to call a doctor or an ambulance team.

5. Chickenpox Symptoms: Headache

Not only muscle and joint pains bother those infected with chickenpox - headache is also one of the most well-known symptoms of chickenpox. Chickenpox headache can be treated with the same medications used to treat muscle and joint pain. There is no need to panic when you get a headache with chickenpox. Just relax, rest, take a painkiller and the pain in your head will subside.

4. Symptoms of chickenpox: papules

Papules are pink or red colored bumps raised above the skin. The chickenpox rash develops with the formation of papules within a few days. Papules are very itchy, but this itch must be relieved by everyone accessible ways. If the rash or papules are scratched, it can lead to a bacterial infection of the skin, soft tissues, joints, bones, and even blood. Such infections are a serious condition that must be treated separately - often with antibiotics. To avoid scratching the skin, you can take antihistamines.

3. Symptoms of chickenpox: blisters on the skin

Within a few days, papules with chickenpox form specific vesicles (with purulent contents). It is their contents, the liquid, that contributes to the spread of chickenpox. disease. The bubbles break down to release the fluid, and this chickenpox symptom means that the disease is getting worse. Keep the conditions of quarantine for the person with chickenpox, do not allow them to contact other people, give the person with chickenpox a separate towel, bed linen and cutlery that other people will not use.

2. Symptoms of chickenpox: crusts and scabs

Crusts and scabs appear on broken blisters. As a rule, they do not cause pain, but it takes several days for the vesicle to pass into the drying stage. Sometimes the liquid in the vesicle dries up, forming a fairly quickly falling crust on the surface of the skin. In other cases, chickenpox crusts take longer to form: first, the liquid in the vesicles becomes cloudy, pustules (pustules) appear, only then light brown crusts form, which gradually wrinkle and fall off after about 6-8 days. When this happens, it means that the infectious stage of the disease has passed. The fallen off crusts usually do not leave marks on the skin, in very rare cases - for several months and even years, visually noticeable scars can remain.

1. Chickenpox Symptoms: Difficulty breathing

This is the most alarming symptom of chickenpox. Difficulty breathing is a very rare symptom of chickenpox, but a very dangerous one. Chest pain or difficulty breathing are very serious health problems that need to be addressed right away. Commonly prescribed medications are bronchodilators are usually given, which allows for prompt relief of breathing. In the presence of such a symptom, prescription of drugs by a doctor and serious hospital care are required.

In order to avoid these alarming symptoms of chickenpox, do not forget about the benefits of vaccination. The chickenpox vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease. Socialization with patients with chickenpox is the worst idea that not very literate parents can come up with. It is always recommended to keep children with chickenpox at home to minimize the risk of spreading the infection.

Denial of responsibility: The information provided in this article about chickenpox symptoms is intended to inform the reader only. It cannot be a substitute for the advice of a health professional.

Chickenpox in adults is a disease caused by the herpetic virus of the third type. It is diagnosed in about 10% of cases and is accompanied by a severe course with a high risk of complications. It is important to know how pathology manifests itself in adulthood in order to take the right measures for its treatment.

In the article, we will look at how chickenpox is transmitted, what is the incubation period, the first signs and symptoms in adults, as well as treatment and recommendations for the rapid recovery of the body.

Features of the course of chickenpox in adults

Adults rarely get chickenpox, as most of them have already had this disease in childhood. But if a person avoided infection in childhood and became infected as an adult, then the disease can be very difficult and give various complications.

The main route of introduction of chickenpox is airborne. The virus is very volatile, and even a single indirect contact with the patient during the period of rashes is sufficient for infection.

Infection manifests itself in patients in the following cases:

1. A person in childhood did not suffer chickenpox.
2. For a number of reasons, the patient's body does not produce antibodies to the virus.
3. Varicella Zoster, contained in the spinal ganglia in a latent state, became more active due to the suppression of the patient's immune system.

Chickenpox in adults has its own characteristics:

• adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease;
• stronger than in children, intoxication is expressed;
• the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above;
• the rash appears only on the 2-3rd day of illness;
• rashes are numerous and can cover the entire surface of the face and trunk;
• in half of adult patients, the elements of the rash suppurate, pustules form;
• scars remain at the site of deep inflammation - pockmarks;
• complications occur in 20-30% of patients.

The reasons

Chickenpox is caused by infection with the Varicella Zoster virus (HSV-3, or herpes simplex virus type 3). In the incubation period, which lasts 2 weeks, the symptoms of chickenpox in an adult may not be observed.

The virus can cause not only chickenpox, but also another disease with an extremely unpleasant course - shingles (more). This may occur when there is a long asymptomatic carriage of Varicella Zoster.

The only possible way of transmitting the chickenpox virus among the adult category of people, however, as among children, is airborne, which becomes possible when coughing, talking and sneezing.

Despite the fact that this virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted by airborne droplets, it does not have a high survival rate outside the human body. After entering the body, it becomes active, and a person becomes contagious a couple of days before the onset of obvious symptoms of the disease - fever, rash and itching.

The following factors contribute to the faster spread of the disease:

• high crowding of people in the room;
• lack of preventive ventilation and regular wet cleaning;
• non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (treatment of hands with soap after visiting public places).

What is the incubation period?

The incubation period of chickenpox in adults lasts 1.5 - 3 weeks from the moment of infection. During this time, the pathogen penetrates through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract into the blood and lymph, from where it spreads throughout the body, multiplying rapidly.

People who get chickenpox most often are those whose immunity is weakened, for example, after a serious illness that has just been transferred, treatment that suppresses immunity (for example, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy for malignant tumors).

Immunity to chickenpox develops after an infection. Post-infection immunity is thought to provide lifelong protection against infection. However, in some people, repeated cases of chickenpox are recorded, which is associated with a weakened immune defense.

First signs

What are the symptoms and first signs of chickenpox in adults? Chickenpox begins as, with general intoxication:

• Small temperature. With the appearance of the above symptoms, there is also a slight increase in temperature. This is the initial stage of the body's resistance to the virus.
• Violation of coordination of movement. Occurs due to headache, fever, malaise.
• General weakness of the body.
• Possible nausea.

The course of the disease is accompanied by a lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, a constant febrile state - the peak of which, characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, falls on the first day of infection.

Chickenpox in adults is quite severe and manifests itself with a number of pronounced symptoms. To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary to contact a specialist when the first signs of pathology appear and begin complex therapy.

Symptoms of chickenpox in adults, photo

Like any infectious pathology, chickenpox in adults is distinguished by the staging of the development of pathomorphological and clinical manifestations. Thus, the average duration of the virus incubation period is 14 days.

Symptoms of chickenpox in adults:

• In most cases, the disease begins abruptly and acutely. Although people experience some discomfort a few days before.
• Cracking pains in joints and muscles.
• The temperature is rising and lasts up to 40C, it is accompanied by chills, increased weakness.
• The patient enlarged lymph nodes behind the ear, inguinal, submandibular and axillary, they become painful on palpation.
• The undulating course of eruptions, which lasts about 10 days.
• First formed on the skin small red spots, which after a few hours turn into watery blisters (papules), turning into vesicles (wet sores). This whole process is accompanied by intense itching in addition to chills and heat. In place of the vesicles, drying crusts quickly form.
• Profuse skin rashes, mucous membranes cause unbearable itching. A rash may appear in the upper respiratory tract, in the genital area. When an infection enters a combed wound, the situation becomes more complicated, scars or scars may remain.
• Moreover, during the first week, a new portion of the rash and temperature may appear several times.

In adults, chickenpox is more complex, for example, intoxication is stronger, fever is longer, and suppuration is highly likely.

When it starts to pour, you need to carefully monitor the number of vesicles, constantly lubricating them with ointment or gel from combing. First, a spot appears, and then a bubble with a watery liquid. The top of the pimple is depressed in the center. You can’t rip them off - there is a high probability of aggravating complications.

The way chickenpox looks like, photos in adult patients can reflect: a maculopapular rash with this disease looks very characteristic. It is important to notice the differences in the photo before and after the illness in order to understand how the rash goes:

Itching with chickenpox in adults, as a rule, is quite intense, so patients comb the elements of the rash, which provokes the development of intradermal atrophic scars.

How many days does "adult" chickenpox last?

Toward the end of 2 weeks, the blisters will “sit down”, dry out and begin to crumble, leaving in their place circles of pale pink skin that is sensitive to temperature changes. If chickenpox occurs with complications, then the treatment period can last 1.5-2 months. Mostly a severe form with subsequent complications is observed in immunocompromised patients.

Is re-infection possible?

Recurrent chickenpox in adults is possible, especially in immunocompromised people. As a rule, the recurrence of the disease proceeds in a milder form.

Complications

Chickenpox in adults is dangerous to health both by itself and by the appearance of serious complications. The resulting scars in place of the bubbles are a noticeable cosmetic defect of the skin. Chickenpox can cause complications in people at risk. This category includes:

• pregnant women,
• smoking people,
• immunocompromised patients,
• suffering from chronic lung diseases, except for asthmatics.

The older the person, the more difficult chickenpox can be. Chickenpox in adults is especially dangerous for pregnant women, since chickenpox suffered during the first months of pregnancy can lead to severe pathology or death of the fetus, and in the last trimester of pregnancy can contribute to premature birth or the development of congenital chickenpox in a child.

List of possible complications:

• arthritis;
• encephalitis;
• heart disease;
• violation of the kidneys;
• hepatitis;
• abscess;
• serious suppuration;
• damage to the lymphatic system;
• skin diseases;

To avoid consequences from skin, it is important to ensure thorough personal hygiene, to exclude combing and the ingress of pyogenic microorganisms into the nodules.

Diagnostics

Which doctor will help? If you have or suspect the development of this disease, you should immediately contact such specialists as an infectious disease specialist and a therapist.

In the presence of characteristic rashes, the diagnosis of chickenpox in an adult is not difficult. In addition to a visual examination by a doctor, the patient additionally donates blood for antibodies to Varicella Zoster. The ratio of indicators allows you to determine the stage of pathology.

An adult with chickenpox is contagious already at the end of the incubation period

How to treat chickenpox in adults?

Treatment of chickenpox in adults should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, self-medication is strictly prohibited, since different drugs can be prescribed for various forms of the disease.

Important rules during treatment:

• observe bed rest;
• to accelerate the removal of toxins, increase the amount of fluid consumed. It is best to drink berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes, green and herbal teas with lemon and honey.
• in severe cases, do not refuse hospitalization;
• in the acute period, the rash should not be wetted. When easing the condition, you can take a warm shower, but do not steam or rub the skin so as not to rip off the dry crusts that have formed.
• it is very important to observe sanitary and hygienic requirements during illness - constantly change bed linen, clothes, wash hands, treat nails in order to prevent the recurrence of rashes.
• The mouth should be thoroughly rinsed after each meal.
• avoid contact with healthy people during the contagious period of the disease.

Medicines for chickenpox

The most important aspect of treatment is pathogenetic and etiotropic therapy. For these purposes, apply:

• antiviral agents (acyclovir according to the scheme in tablets and topical application);
• the use of immunomodulators - agents that stimulate the production of endogenous interferons (proteins that have an antiviral effect);
• Antihistamines. Necessary to eliminate the symptoms of itching and other manifestations of hypersensitivity. Suprastin and other drugs are prescribed.
• Antipyretic drugs. Ibuprofen, Panadol.
• Antibiotics for chickenpox are prescribed if doctors diagnose the addition of a secondary infection, for example, infection of pustules.

Means for external processing

For external treatment of rashes use:

• Fukortsin.
• Furacilin.
• Boric acid.
• Psilo balm.
• Lotion Calamine.
• Brilliant green.
• Ointment Acyclovir.
• Gel Fenistil.
• Synthomycin liniment.

It is very important when treating a rash not to use the same stick with a cotton swab for different types of bubbles. Otherwise, it is likely to infect still unaffected areas of the skin.

Accordingly, the following question arises, “On what day can the treatment of wounds be stopped and how long to smear them?”. Rashes should be treated as they appear, and until such time as new ones cease to form. For this period of time, it is necessary to observe bed rest, treat the surface of the hands with an antiseptic, and monitor the cleanliness of bed and underwear.

In cases where all of the above treatment has not brought relief and antibiotics do not bring relief, and the patient begins to have convulsions, vomiting and severe headache (which indicates brain damage), urgent hospitalization is necessary.

Diet

Diet with chickenpox helps to reduce inflammation on the skin. When rashes appear in the oral cavity, the diet has a sparing effect, protecting the mucous membrane from mechanical and chemical irritation

So, what can an adult eat with chickenpox? In the diet of an adult with chickenpox, all dishes should be boiled, stewed or steamed. They should not be salty, too sweet, sour, spicy.

The diet should mainly consist of vegetables, fruits, protein foods and dairy products. It is forbidden to drink alcohol-containing drinks and abuse carbohydrate foods with chickenpox.

Sample menu for chickenpox:

1. Breakfast: buckwheat porridge or oatmeal with milk without sugar, boiled egg.
2. Second breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream without sugar, a glass of fermented baked milk or kefir.
3. Lunch: mashed vegetable soup or low-fat, non-concentrated meat broth, boiled fish with vegetables, or steamed cutlets.
4. Afternoon snack: a glass of freshly squeezed vegetable juice two-thirds diluted with water.
5. Dinner: cottage cheese casserole or kefir, grated green apple, herbal tea with crackers, baked eggplant or zucchini.

• All dishes are recommended to be boiled or steamed, and not fried;
• Vegetables can be eaten both raw and after heat treatment;
• In a severe form of the disease, it is allowed to use pureed soups, cereals, etc., i.e. any liquid food.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies that will speed up recovery can only be used as an additional therapy to the main treatment. It is not enough to use only the following recipes in the fight against chickenpox, and therefore it will not be possible to replace the therapy prescribed by the doctor with them.

1. Blend of olive oil and bergamot essential oil. This composition can lubricate the rashes: it relieves inflammation and soothes itching.
2. If rashes appear even on the oral mucosa, rinsing with a decoction of sage, chamomile, calendula and other medicinal herbs with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties is recommended.
3. For general healing, it is necessary to make an infusion of parsley leaves and stems. Pour a tablespoon of herbal collection with boiling water, let stand for a quarter of an hour, drain and cool. Take 50 grams 4 times a day.

Thus, the use of medicines and herbs will lead to an easier transfer of an acute condition and a quick recovery. Herbs will relieve inflammation, and medicines will normalize the general condition.

Chickenpox vaccine for adults

The disease transferred in childhood usually gives stable lifelong immunity. But for people who did not get sick in childhood, and for those who are at risk for developing severe forms of the disease, there is the possibility of vaccination.

Vaccination is indicated for patients at risk:

• previously not ill and not vaccinated;
• suffering;
• receiving treatment with immunosuppressants, including corticosteroids;
• awaiting transplantation;
• suffering from severe chronic diseases.

Vaccination may be urgent. It is carried out in the first three days after contact with a sick person.

In conclusion, we repeat the main theses:

• It is up to each individual to decide whether or not to get vaccinated against chickenpox.
• It is advisable to consult a doctor about the presence of indications and contraindications.
• Individuals at risk should be vaccinated first.
• Vaccination protects not only from chicken pox, but also from the long-term consequences of the disease.
• With the help of vaccines, emergency prophylaxis can also be carried out after contact with a person with chickenpox.
• It is advisable to get this vaccine when planning a pregnancy.

Prevention

Prevention of chickenpox in adults is to exclude contact with patients. When an infection occurs in the family, the infected person should:

• isolate in a separate room,
• carry out regular ventilation and wet cleaning,
• use a medical mask when communicating,
• wash your hands more often.

However, high susceptibility to the virus makes preventive measures ineffective.

The main task in the treatment of chickenpox in adults is not only to eliminate the symptoms and stop the development of the virus, but also to prevent possible complications.

It's no secret that the main manifestation of chickenpox is a rash on the skin. But among the rash childhood infections, chickenpox is not the only one. Therefore, about everything in order.

Chickenpox rashes appear almost simultaneously with the increase
body temperature. The first elements of the rash can be found on the scalp, but soon they appear on the face, trunk and limbs. In this case, at first, each element of the rash looks like a small papule (element without content), which within a few hours turns into a bubble with tense shiny walls. Most of them are surrounded by a narrow bright pink border and have an "umbilical" depression in the center. After 2-3 days, the bubbles dry up and crusts form in their place, which fall off after 2-3 weeks. With chickenpox on one part of the body, you can find elements of the rash in all three manifestations, and each new wave of rashes is accompanied by a temperature candle. New elements on the skin appear within 5 days and are disturbed by severe itching. Rashes can sometimes be found on the mucous membranes: in the mouth, or on the genitals. But the palms and soles always remain clean.

Now about contagion. The varicella-zoster virus, one of the family of herpes viruses, spreads by airborne droplets, can penetrate through the corridors into neighboring rooms and even from one floor to another, it is not for nothing that it is called chickenpox. The incubation period (during which the virus actively multiplies in the body, but this does not manifest itself clinically) can last from 10 to 21 days. From the last for the incubation period until the 5th day of the rash, a sick chickenpox is contagious to others. The maximum incidence occurs in the autumn-winter period. Mostly children from organized groups are ill.

And is all the suffering in vain? - No, after suffering from chickenpox, a person receives lifelong immunity as a bonus. But there are cases of recurrence of chickenpox in children or herpes zoster in adults (also caused by the varicella zoster virus) against the background of a significant decrease in immunity.

Is there an asymptomatic course? No temperature?

Asymptomatic course and absence of temperature occurs, but very rarely. It happens that the temperature rises, but very moderately, for example, up to 37-37.5 ° C. How, then, to find out if there was chickenpox, or was it all just suspicion? - In this case, the only reliable way is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (Varicella Zoster) with the determination of their avidity.

Is it possible to wash in the acute period of chicken pox? How to treat the genitals, which have rashes?

Washing during the period of rashes will lead to their faster spread over the entire surface of the body, so you should refrain from water procedures until the 5th day of rashes inclusive. And from 6 days you can gently take a shower.

How to properly treat chickenpox?

Treatment of chickenpox is symptomatic, i.e. aims to reduce the negative impact of the symptoms of the disease:

- Treatment of rashes.

- For the entire period of the disease, more fluids should be taken to reduce intoxication.

- When the temperature rises above 38.5 ° C, it is advisable to reduce it with a drug based on Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. At high body temperature, it is with chickenpox, you can not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) as an antipyretic - there is a high probability of complications from the liver. The combination of chickenpox and aspirin is very undesirable for the liver.

- Antihistamines can help reduce itching: Fenistil and Zodak are allowed in young children. In the older one, you can take Suprastin, Claritin, etc.

In the most severe cases, antiviral drugs (Acyclovir) are prescribed in the treatment, but due to the pronounced toxic effect on the liver, their use is prohibited on their own.

What is the most effective treatment for rashes? What should be done to prevent “blurring”, i.e. smallpox?

It is customary to treat rashes to reduce itching, prevent suppuration of the elements of the rash and accelerate their drying. It is usually customary to treat rashes with aniline dyes - brilliant green or fucorcin. There are also more modern, non-staining skin products, etc.

Bleaching, that is, a skin defect, appears when the integrity of the bubble is violated. Most often this happens when children begin to comb them. To prevent this, children need to cut their nails shorter, try to distract them with something; it is useful for small children to wear mittens, and with large children it is important to agree, talk about the consequences of combing, because. keeping track of them can be difficult. And to reduce itching, give an antihistamine. It is also advisable to avoid overheating: the more the child sweats, the stronger the itching will be.

Is it true that it is better to get chickenpox in childhood?

Really true, because in adulthood, this childhood infection is much more difficult to tolerate. I myself had been ill with chicken pox already during my studies at the medical institute. I don’t wish those trials that accompanied a common childhood infection to anyone.

Are there any features of the course of chickenpox in allergy sufferers, asthmatics?

Chickenpox, like any infectious disease, can provoke an exacerbation of allergic pathology in predisposed children. Therefore, at the time of illness, it is important to exclude factors that can aggravate the course of allergic pathology: follow a diet, hypoallergenic life, take basic therapy if it was prescribed by the attending physician. And do not forget that any exacerbation should be controlled by an allergist.

What is the prevention of chickenpox, and is it necessary to deal with it?

In our country, the national vaccination schedule does not include immunization against chicken pox, although such a vaccine exists and can be administered at vaccination centers. The intensity of immunity after a disease is higher than that of a vaccine. But the disease, unfortunately, can occur with complications - chickenpox encephalitis, pneumonia, or purulent skin lesions. They are registered mainly in weakened children. Therefore, it is not worth talking about the inappropriateness of vaccination.

To prevent the spread of infection, patients are isolated at home until the 5th day after the appearance of the last fresh element of the rash. Children who have not had chickenpox are subject to separation and observation from 11 to 21 days from the moment of contact.

And further. Dear mothers! Any rash in a child, accompanied by an increase in body temperature, is subject to examination by a pediatrician. But do not rush to treat with brilliant green all the spots, dots, bubbles and other elements that may appear on the skin of a child. Not every rash is chickenpox, and the causes of rashes are very diverse. The shaded elements of the rash make it very difficult for a pediatrician to diagnose it. Leave the elements that appear, or at least some of them, unprocessed, even if you are 100% sure that nothing but chickenpox can hide behind them. A few hours will not play any role, and an accurate diagnosis can help start the right treatment in time.

With love and wishes of health, pediatrician Chumak Nadezhda Mikhailovna

Chickenpox in the common people - in medical reference books, this disease is called chickenpox. The causative agent is a common herpes virus, very tenacious, which, as you know, lives in the cells of every human body. There is an opinion, confirmed by doctors, that it is better to get sick in childhood, because children tolerate this disease much more easily. Nevertheless, when the period of the epidemic comes in children's institutions - and this is most often autumn - parents are concerned about the most important questions - how to protect the baby, how to determine the symptoms in children for sure,?

The incubation period in children; what is chickenpox, how do children get infected?

It is believed that this type of smallpox is the only viral disease that remains most common infectious disease contingent of childhood to the present day. Experts say that chicken pox can be ill only once in a lifetime, since the body that has been ill develops immunity in the future. Although still sometimes there are cases when people get sick 2 times in their lives.

Most commonly affected children in the age group from 2 to 10 years. As a rule, those children who stay in kindergartens and schools, attend circles, sections, etc. are most susceptible to the disease. Newborn babies up to 6 months of age cannot become infected, because from birth they retain immunity received from their mother and supported by breastfeeding.

The virus is very volatile way of transmission of infection - airborne . This virus can settle on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth, the entire surface of the respiratory tract, from where it easily and quickly enters the body.

In children, external manifestations are initially reddish spots on the surface of the skin, which then form small blisters filled with liquid.

It should be noted that - this is a stable infection and a disease rapidly spreading between people - that is why there are seasonal annual epidemics in children's institutions . With the current of air and dust, the virus freely penetrates into neighboring apartments and premises. If in a kindergarten one pupil fell ill with chickenpox, it means that all other children are also susceptible to infection, most likely they will get sick.
The epidemic picture of morbidity is explained by the duration of its incubation period 2 to 3 weeks . During the incubation period, the disease does not manifest itself. Children look absolutely healthy and active. But during this period, a sick child, who does not even have any external manifestations, poses an epidemic threat to all the people around him and can infect them. When the incubation period passes and the phase of the most active division of the virus in the body begins, the child's health begins to deteriorate, all the typical symptoms of chickenpox appear. When the disease subsides the virus stops its activity 5 days after the appearance of the most recent rash on the body.

Symptoms: how does it start and how does it look in children?

In the vast majority of cases, chickenpox shows a typical picture, and in all children it manifests itself, one might say, in the same way.

Among main symptoms of chickenpox the following can be distinguished:

• Rapidly rising body temperature (up to 40 degrees C);
• Pain in the head, limbs and muscles;
• Irritability, tearfulness baby, severe weakness and apathy;
• Unreasonable anxiety, sleep disturbances;
• Decreased appetite in a child and even refusal of food;
• The appearance of characteristic rashes on the entire surface of the body spots and bubbles that do not affect only the surfaces of the palms and feet.

rashes are pink-red spots of small size, which cover the entire body of the child quite rapidly in a very short period of time.

• After a while, these pink spots begin to turn into blisters with clear liquid inside;
• Bubbles cause intense itching . The child begins to itch, he tends to comb the bubbles on the skin - which is absolutely impossible to do. Parents should remember this and by all means prevent the baby from scratching itchy blisters on the skin. Otherwise, an infection can get into the combed wounds, causing a serious complication - a secondary infection of the skin;
• Spots on the skin dry up within 3 days and covered with a red crust. But in the course of the disease, regular rashes appear on the patient's body, in a typical form of the disease - in the period from 4 to 8 days, accompanied by all the above symptoms of this disease;
• Scabs covering patches on the skin begin to fall off after 2 weeks . At the site of the rash after chickenpox, subtle traces remain on the skin, which are first painted in a pale pink color, then merge in color with healthy skin, without standing out. But, if the child scratched the bubbles on the skin during the illness, scars of various sizes can form in the place of these scratches, which remain forever.

Forms of the disease in children; how long does it take?

How long does chicken pox last in children? It is impossible to answer unambiguously. The body of each person is individual, and the process proceeds differently for everyone. If we take the averaged data, then we can say - the appearance of new spots stops in the period 5 - 8 days of illness . Since that time, it is believed that the disease is on the decline and the child recovers. Marks on the skin from spots pass within 3 weeks .

All cases need completely different treatment - it depends entirely on the form of the course of the disease.


Exists typical windmill, which proceeds in a mild, moderate or severe form, as well as atypical chickenpox.

Complications in children: what is dangerous for a child?

Subject to all sanitary and hygienic standards does not cause any complications . If during the course of the disease the vesicles on the skin become inflamed or were strongly combed, visible scars form in their place, remaining for life. There are practically no more serious consequences of chickenpox in patients. The only terrible complication - which, fortunately, occurs extremely rarely - is encephalomyelitis, the so-called inflammation of the brain.


Usually, chickenpox treatment at home . There are no specific medicines for treating chickenpox, they are not needed. Doctors advise the patient to follow a certain diet, drink plenty of fluids, observe strict bed rest, take antiallergic drugs to prevent severe itching, lubricate the skin with lotions that soothe itching, and the emerging bubbles with brilliant green.

Site site warns: self-medication can harm your health! If you have any doubts about the symptoms and manifestations of a particular disease in a child, consult a doctor for advice, do not make a diagnosis yourself!

Every mother is at risk of facing chickenpox, because this childhood infection is highly contagious. What is it, how is it spread, and how is chickenpox usually carried? What is the best age to get chickenpox? How is this infectious disease treated and how to protect yourself from the causative agent of chickenpox? Is it possible to quickly get rid of chickenpox rash? All parents should know the answers to these and other questions about chickenpox.

The reasons

Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the DNA-containing Varicella Zoster virus. It belongs to the herpes group of viruses, in particular, it is a herpes virus of the third type. In addition to chickenpox, the same pathogen provokes the appearance of the disease "herpes zoster", which is also called herpes zoster.

The susceptibility of a person who has not previously had chickenpox to the Varicella Zoster virus is up to 90-100%. For infection, it is enough to be near a sick child for 5-10 minutes. In addition, such a pathogen is highly volatile, since it is able to fly with particles of mucus over a distance of up to 20 meters.

At the same time, the chickenpox virus is not resistant to external conditions. If the causative agent of such an infection is outside the human body for more than 10-15 minutes, it dies. The sun's rays, disinfectants, high temperatures and other external factors help to speed up its death.

A person who has not previously had chickenpox can become infected from a carrier of the infection in 90% of cases.

When the chickenpox has passed, and the child has recovered, the Varicella Zoster virus does not disappear from the body of the ill person for good. It is stored in an inactive state in nerve tissues. In people older than 40 years, in 15% of cases, this virus becomes active, which is manifested by symptoms of herpes zoster.

Transmission routes

Chickenpox is transmitted from sick people to healthy babies and adults who do not have immunity to this infection in the following ways:

1. Airborne. This is the most common variant of the spread of the chickenpox virus. The pathogen is carried with particles of mucus after sneezing or coughing, as well as during normal breathing. A sick person begins to isolate the varicella-zoster virus even at a time when there are no signs of the disease (on the last day of the incubation period). Further, it is a source of infection during the entire period of rashes (this is the most active period of infection). As soon as five days pass after the formation of the last new bubbles on the patient's skin, the child ceases to be contagious.
2. Contact. This route of transmission of the Varicella Zoster virus is rarer. With it, the pathogen enters healthy people upon contact with chickenpox vesicles, which contain quite a lot of viruses. Theoretically, it is possible to transfer the virus to linen and various items, but in practice, infection through household items or third parties almost never occurs.
3. Transplacental. In this way, the fetus becomes infected with chickenpox if the mother did not have this infection before pregnancy and did not get vaccinated. At the same time, infection at an early stage of gestation threatens the development of serious pathologies in the child. If the virus enters the baby's body after 12 weeks of pregnancy, the risk of developing congenital chickenpox increases - an infection that manifests itself clinically immediately after birth and is quite difficult. The period 5 days before the birth is considered especially dangerous, since with an earlier infection, not only the pathogen, but also the antibodies developed in the mother's body, get to the baby. If the baby becomes infected immediately before childbirth, antibodies do not have time to develop and are not transmitted to him, which leads to congenital chickenpox.

You can get chickenpox by airborne droplets, contact and intrauterine

Mentioning where chickenpox comes from, it is worth noting the possibility of transmission of the Varicella Zoster virus from patients with herpes zoster, because there is a lot of virus in the vesicles that appear on their body. And if a child who has not previously had chickenpox accidentally comes into contact with such bubbles, he will have chickenpox. That is why a person who has had chickenpox can be a carrier of the disease, but on condition that such a person has an active stage of herpes zoster.

At what age do they get sick more often

Most often, chickenpox is diagnosed in children over two years old, but under ten years old, and children 4-5 years old are considered extremely susceptible to the Varicella Zoster virus. At the same time, the course of the disease in preschoolers and younger schoolchildren is predominantly mild.

Babies up to 6 months of chickenpox practically do not get sick. They are protected by maternal antibodies, which are obtained during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Newborn babies can get chickenpox only if the mother has not had such an infection before (they have no protection).

From the age of 6 months, the antibodies received from the mother in the child's body become less, therefore, infants from this age, at 1 year and older, can become infected with chickenpox upon contact with a sick person. In such a situation, a one-year-old child also suffers the disease, mostly in a mild form.

Teenagers can also get chickenpox if they don't get it at an earlier age. As in adults, the course of the disease in them is often severe, the development of an atypical form is possible, and the risk of complications is increased.

In adults and children over 10 years of age, chickenpox is more severe.

You can learn more about this by watching the program of Dr. Komarovsky.

Stages of the disease

Starting from the moment of contact of Varicella Zoster with a healthy child, the disease goes through the following stages:

1. incubation period. In it, the pathogen actively multiplies and accumulates in the cells of the mucous membranes, and there are no symptoms of the disease.
2. prodromal period. This is the time when the virus enters the bloodstream and the infection begins to manifest itself as unwell, but it is not yet possible to accurately diagnose chickenpox.
3. Eruption period. In it, the pathogen attacks the skin cells and a rash characteristic of chickenpox appears on the body of the child, and the general condition of the baby is worsened.
4. Recovery period. At this time, antibodies are formed, new elements of the rash cease to appear, and all existing vesicles heal.

Incubation period

The duration of this period can vary from seven days to 21 days, but most often in childhood, chickenpox manifests itself two weeks after contact with the virus. A decrease in the incubation period is observed in children under one year old, as well as in children with weakened immune systems. A longer incubation period occurs in adolescents - they occasionally have the first symptoms of infection begin 23 days after infection.

The duration of the incubation period of chickenpox depends on the immunity of the child.

Symptoms

First signs

The beginning of chickenpox is similar to the beginning of any viral infection and manifests itself:

• Weakness.
• Headache.
• Worsened appetite.
• Complaints of a sore throat.
• Muscle ache.
• Capricious behavior, irritability.
• Sleep disturbed.

In severe form, the child may vomit, enlarged lymph nodes are detected. Cough and runny nose with uncomplicated chickenpox do not occur.

The first signs of chickenpox are similar to a cold

How chickenpox manifests itself in the first days, you can see in the program of Dr. Komarovsky.

Temperature rise

Fever is one of the common symptoms of chickenpox, and its severity is directly related to the severity of the infection. If the disease is mild, then the body temperature may remain within normal limits or increase slightly. In the case of a moderate course, the mother will see 37-38 degrees on the thermometer, and severe chickenpox usually occurs with a temperature above + 39 ° C.

High body temperature is a sign of severe chickenpox

Rash with chickenpox

Rashes can be called the most characteristic sign of chickenpox. Cases of chickenpox without rashes are almost never found. Even with a very light flow, at least a few bubbles appear on the child's body.

As a rule, a rash is found on the child's body at the same time as the temperature rises. The first elements are marked on the body, and then they appear on the arms and legs, as well as on the head. They itch quite strongly, causing severe discomfort to children. It is also important to note that chickenpox acne does not occur on the palms and feet, but can occur not only on the surface of the skin, but also on the mucous membrane, for example, on the tongue, on the soft palate, on the eyes or on the genitals.

At first, the chicken pox rash is represented by small reddish spots, which quickly become papules (at this stage, the rash looks like insect bites). After some time, the upper layer of the skin in the papules begins to exfoliate, and a clear liquid accumulates inside, as a result of which single-chamber vesicles form in place of the papules. Around such bubbles, a red rim of inflamed skin is noticeable.

The contents of the vesicles soon become cloudy, the bubbles burst and become covered with crusts. Under the scabs, the skin gradually heals, and if the rash is not scratched, no trace of it will remain. Simultaneously with the formation of crusts, new spots appear on the skin of the child, from which vesicles also form.

If the crumbs have mild chickenpox, new "waves" of the rash may not be observed, and in severe form, vesicles form within a week or longer, and their number is very large. At the same time that a new "wave" of bubbles appears, the body temperature also rises.

Forms

Taking into account the clinical manifestations and course of chickenpox, typical shape, the symptoms of which are described above, as well as such atypical forms:

• Bullous, in which the rash is represented by large vesicles filled with pus.
• Hemorrhagic, in which bloody contents are inside the vesicles.
• Gangrenous-necrotic, in which the vesicles contain both blood and pus.

These types of chickenpox usually occur when the disease is severe. However, there is also a rudimentary form of infection with an asymptomatic course.

Atypical forms of chickenpox occur in severe cases of the disease

Duration of illness

It is impossible to answer exactly how many days chicken pox passes, because each child suffers such an infectious disease in his own way. The prodromal period in most children lasts 1-2 days, but sometimes it is so short that rashes begin to appear almost immediately after the baby feels unwell.

The period of rashes, depending on the course of the disease, can last both 2 days and 9 days, but on average, new vesicles cease to appear after 5-8 days from the onset of clinical symptoms of infection.

Complete healing of the skin after the formation of crusts on top of all vesicles lasts 1-2 weeks. If a child has mild chickenpox, then the disease can completely end in 7-8 days, and with a more severe course and the appearance of complications, the child may be sick for several weeks or longer.

With a mild course, chickenpox lasts up to 9 days

Complications

The appearance of complications in chickenpox can be provoked both by the virus itself and by the addition of a bacterial infection.

Severe chickenpox can be complicated by:

• Pneumonia (most common complication).
• Encephalitis (the most dangerous complication).
• Bacterial infections of the skin (due to scratching of the blisters on the skin).
• Stomatitis (with infection of the vesicles in the mouth).
• Otitis (with the formation of bubbles in the ear).
• Corneal damage.
• Jade.
• Hepatitis.
• Myocarditis.
• Inflammatory diseases of the joints, muscles, genitals and others.

Many are interested in whether it is possible to die from chickenpox. Such a risk does exist, since mortality in complications, for example, chickenpox encephalitis, reaches 10%. No less dangerous is pneumonia provoked by chickenpox, and chickenpox croup.

Diagnostics

Most often, the diagnosis of "chicken pox" is made on the basis of complaints and clinical manifestations of such an infection, because with an increase in temperature and the appearance of a rash, almost all mothers call a pediatrician, and an experienced doctor often has no problem how to determine chicken pox in a child. However, the question of how to distinguish chickenpox from allergies, enterovirus, streptoderma, allergies, measles and herpes can be quite difficult, because with such diseases, the rash and other symptoms are very similar to chicken pox.

In such cases, it is possible to understand that this is really chicken pox with the help of an additional examination of venous blood. From the first days of the disease, the virus can be detected using the PCR reaction (this study detects the DNA of the pathogen), and from the 4-7th day from the onset of chickenpox, antibodies (immunoglobulins M) to the herpes virus type 3 are determined using ELISA in the blood of a sick child.

When the first signs of chickenpox appear, only a doctor should make a diagnosis.

Chickenpox treatment

• In childhood, most cases of chickenpox are treated at home without the use of antiviral drugs. The child is given only medicines aimed at alleviating the symptoms of the infection. Antiviral agents, for example, Acyclovir tablets, are used only in severe cases. Antibiotics for chickenpox are prescribed only when bacterial complications appear.
• Babies and adults with chickenpox are isolated to eliminate the risk of infecting people without immunity. This is especially important for such categories of people as pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, people with chronic pathologies, and some others.
• If the temperature is very high, a child with chickenpox is prescribed bed rest. At a low or normal temperature, it is not required to be constantly in bed, but it is desirable to limit physical activity.
• Eating with chickenpox should be light, therefore, the menu includes soups, dairy products, steamed fish and meat, fruit purees, and vegetable dishes. A special diet is not required for mild cases, but parents should know not to eat with chickenpox. This is considered spicy, fried, smoked, as well as everything that is hard to digest. If bubbles appear in the mouth, food is given in a semi-liquid form.
• A child with chickenpox is advised to give more warm drinks. He is offered fruit drinks, weak tea, rosehip broth, clean water, unsweetened compote and other drinks.
• To reduce the temperature, antipyretic drugs allowed in childhood are used.- paracetamol and ibuprofen. Both drugs are effective against fever, but their dosage should be agreed with the pediatrician. The use of aspirin in chickenpox is prohibited.
• To reduce the nervous excitability and moodiness of a child with chickenpox, homeopathic or herbal preparations are often used, for example, Nervochel or Notta.
• Treatment of vesicles with chickenpox is aimed at reducing itching and protecting the skin from infection. The use of brilliant green and fucorcin is quite common. Antiseptics such as potassium permanganate (a pale pink liquid is prepared) and hydrogen peroxide are also often used.

• To reduce the activity of the pathogen, the child's skin can be treated with Viferon gel or ointment.
• For reduced itching and faster healing zinc-based products are often used, for example, Zindol suspension or Calamine lotion. Such drugs are allowed from birth.
• Children older than 2 years can smear the skin with PoxClean. It is a gel based on aloe vera and other natural ingredients (packaged as a spray). The product is easy to apply, fast acting, non-toxic and non-addictive.
• To speed up the healing of blisters, you can lubricate them with tea tree oil. Also, the processes of regeneration in the skin are stimulated by treatment with salicylic alcohol.
• If the rash is very itchy and bothers the child, you should discuss this with your doctor, who may prescribe antihistamines to reduce itching. These can be drugs such as Suprastin, Zodak, Claritin, Loratadin and others. From local preparations, Fenistil gel is used.
• When bubbles appear on the oral mucosa the child is recommended to gargle with Miramistin, herbal decoctions, furacilin solution. If painful wounds have formed in the mouth, they should be lubricated with anesthetic gels used during teething (Kalgel, Kamistad and others).
• Some parents are wondering if it is possible to cauterize chickenpox vesicles with iodine. This is not recommended as this treatment will cause increased itching.
• To remove the scars formed due to scratching the bubbles and entering the infection inside, use local remedies such as Kontratubeks, Medgel, Rescuer, Dermatix, Mederma and others.

You can find out the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky on how to treat chickenpox by watching his program.

Immunity after chickenpox

Children who have had chickenpox remain immune, which is persistent and lifelong (it protects against this infection for life). Re-infection with chickenpox is extremely rare. Such cases are diagnosed in no more than 3% of those who have been ill and are associated mainly with immunodeficiency states.

Re-infection with chickenpox is possible with severe immunodeficiency

Frequent short hygienic baths help reduce itching. Swimming with chickenpox is not recommended only at high body temperature. When the child is better, baths are acceptable up to 4-6 times a day, but use detergents and washcloths should not be, and after the procedure, do not rub the body with a towel, but just lightly blot the water. See more about this in the program of Dr. Komarovsky.

• Make sure the room is not too hot and the child's clothes were natural and quite spacious, since overheating contributes to increased skin itching.
• Pay attention to prevent blisters scratching, because then you will not have a problem how to remove traces and scars after an illness. Cut your nails short or put on mittens for your child (if he is a baby), and also constantly distract if you notice that the baby is trying to scratch the rash.
• The fact that the child has developed complications can be prompted by such symptoms, like cough, blue skin, shortness of breath, frequent vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, photophobia convulsions, conjunctivitis and other symptoms. When they appear, you should immediately call a doctor.
• Do not hesitate to seek medical help and with a high temperature, especially if it's hard to hit. You should also be alerted by an increase in temperature a few days after the normalization of the general condition. You should also contact the pediatrician after 2 weeks from the onset of the disease, if the rash has not yet passed.
• Although a child with chickenpox is no longer contagious 5 days after the last new vesicles on the skin, do not rush to go out with him to crowded places. It is best to consult a doctor about returning to the children's team, since the time when you can go to school after chickenpox or start attending kindergarten again will be individual for each child.

Adhering to the doctor's recommendations during chickenpox, you can shorten the duration of the disease and ease its course in a child.

So that the child understands what is happening to him, tell him about the chickenpox and show the cartoon, for example, about the kitten Musti. Thanks to viewing, the child can understand in an understandable and interesting way how the disease manifests itself and is transmitted. In addition, the cartoon shows why people with chickenpox should not receive guests.

Prevention

To prevent the spread of the chickenpox virus, the following measures are used:

• Isolation of patients for the period of their contagiousness.
• Providing the child with separate dishes, linen and other hygiene items.
• Separate washing of clothes for a sick child.
• Applying a gauze bandage.
• Frequent ventilation and wet cleaning of the room in which the sick child is located.

By following preventive measures, you can avoid infection with chickenpox

A more effective way to protect yourself or your child is called the chickenpox vaccination. In our country, it is not mandatory, so parents can purchase the vaccine and make it as they wish.

There are 2 vaccines for chickenpox - Okavax and Varilrix. They contain attenuated virus and are generally well tolerated.

What does it look like