Where does chickenpox start to appear? Chickenpox in children: symptoms and treatment

What is chickenpox (or simply chickenpox) and what are the causes of this disease? How dangerous is she? How does chickenpox begin in children and what are its symptoms? characteristic features?

Attention - virus!

Chicken pox is an infectious disease that causes fever and blistering rashes all over the body. The Varicella zoster virus is responsible for chickenpox. When it enters the body of an adult, it causes another disease - shingles.

The first mention of chickenpox appeared in antiquity. Evidence of its infectious nature was obtained in 1875, but scientists were able to isolate and designate the chickenpox virus only in the middle of the twentieth century, or more precisely, in 1958.

It is characteristic that this virus can only infect humans. It can be detected in the contents of the vesicles starting from the 3rd or 4th day of the disease. The virus is not persistent. When heated, when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or exposure to sunlight, it quickly dies.

Don't try to hide

The virus is highly contagious. It can even enter a neighbor’s apartment with the doors closed, which is why chickenpox is widespread in kindergartens. Children aged two to seven most often experience its “charms”. At the same time, chickenpox in children, the symptoms of which almost everyone has experienced, is not considered a dangerous disease. Many parents treat it as an inevitable stage of child development.

If in a group kindergarten If signs of chickenpox appear in children, then we can confidently say that everyone without exception will get sick. It is almost impossible to prevent an epidemic and take any measures. Therefore, chickenpox in children, the incubation period of which is quite long (two to three weeks), is one of the most highly contagious diseases. The virus spreads with impunity, managing to reach everyone without exception.

When can you become infected?

The carrier of the virus becomes contagious the day before the first visible signs of chickenpox appear in children (skin rashes), and can serve as a carrier of infection for several days after the detection of a fresh rash, so quarantine for this disease ends no earlier than 5 days after cessation the appearance of new spots.

As a rule, a child of kindergarten age tolerates chickenpox relatively easily. If a child over seven years old gets sick, which in itself happens less frequently, the disease will be much more severe, and complications are possible. Babies, as a rule, do not get chickenpox until they are six months old. They are protected by the immunity received from the mother in the prenatal period.

Chickenpox is transmitted through the air, getting on the mucous membranes respiratory tract and the eye - this is where the name comes from. In our country, treatment is carried out under quarantine conditions, but in European countries, a child with chickenpox is not limited in contact with peers, since it is believed that it is better and safer to have it in childhood.

So the child got sick...

How does chickenpox start in children? Its onset is most often unexpected and takes parents by surprise.

You will immediately understand that chickenpox has started in children - its symptoms cannot be confused with any others. When the disease occurs, the body temperature immediately rises to thirty-eight to thirty-nine degrees, and flat, pink, round rashes appear on the entire body, except for the palms and soles, resembling insect bites. This is the initial stage of chickenpox. Young, inexperienced parents are often frightened, not understanding what kind of terrible illness has visited their baby. This happens because many people do not know what chickenpox looks like in children.

At this stage, the rash does not yet cause discomfort to the child. But literally after a couple of hours, small bubbles with transparent contents form in the center of each spot. When they appear, the child experiences itching and tries to scratch them. It is very important to prevent such scratching, as damaged skin is an open gate for any infection.

What's next?

10-12 hours after chickenpox begins in children, the first blisters that appear dry up and begin to crust over, but at the same time many new ones appear. The process lasts a week or ten days. New spots “bloom” on the child’s body every day, while the temperature is constantly high.

Sometimes the signs of chickenpox in children are not so obvious. Rashes can also appear on the scalp, so it is important to carefully examine your child’s hair. If there is a mild form of chickenpox in children, there may be very few pimples, sometimes only one or two. They may appear on the mucous membrane of the mouth or larynx. In this case, you should gargle with a solution of the drug "Furacilin" or use the spray "Ingalipt".

Afterwards comes the stage of extinction of the active process. The rash disappears within a week or two, leaving behind pigment marks that fade over time. But if an infection occurs during the active phase, small scars may remain on the skin.

Throughout the course of the disease, the little patient feels severe weakness, irritability, sleeps very poorly, suffers from decreased appetite.

Let's talk about problems

Can there be complications with chickenpox? The most common cause is inflammation in the places where scratching occurred. If you hit the wounds pathogenic microbes, the rash can fester and heal painfully and for a long time, leaving unsightly scars. In some cases, such marks remain for life.

If an infection of bacterial origin occurs, more serious complications may develop - abscess, stomatitis, lymphadenitis, erysipelas, phlegmon and even pneumonia. In especially severe cases, chickenpox can be complicated by nephritis or encephalitis. Parents should be informed about how chickenpox begins in children in order to react in time and prevent this from happening.

Diagnosis and treatment

The doctor usually makes the diagnosis based on the clinical manifestations of the disease. Chickenpox is easy to diagnose, since the characteristic rash is difficult to confuse with anything else.

In the normal course of chickenpox in children, the symptoms of which do not indicate the presence of complications, are treated at home under quarantine conditions. The exception is cases of very serious condition. As you know, infections of viral origin (such as chickenpox) cannot be treated with antibiotics, which is why parents sometimes become perplexed when prescribed by a doctor. antibacterial drugs. You should know that such medications are prescribed only when a secondary infection occurs.

Most often this happens due to banal scratching of the bubbles. That is why monitoring the course of the disease in young children requires the constant attention of parents. During a period of acute illness, parents should make every effort to distract the child from constant itching. To do this, the baby needs to be constantly busy with something. You can use drawing, reading children's books, telling fairy tales.

Regime and care

There are no specific treatments for chickenpox, that is, pills for the rash have not yet been invented. It is required to maintain bed rest, keep linen clean, drink a lot and adhere to a milk-fruit diet.

The baby's underwear should be soft and only made of natural cotton. He needs to change his bed every day and under no circumstances should he starch it. Soft old sheets that you don’t mind getting dirty with brilliant green will do.

You should not wrap your child up; make sure that he does not sweat - this increases the itching. Give your baby rosehip decoction more often, herbal tea or fruit drink, as well as juice diluted with water.

The main thing in treatment

The main measure to prevent complications is to treat the rashes twice or thrice a day with a solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. It should be understood that neither one nor the other cures chickenpox, but serves only as a disinfectant and reduces itching. In addition, the appearance and condition of the bubbles treated with brilliant green give the doctor an idea of ​​the stage of the disease and the progress of recovery.

When the temperature rises above thirty-eight to thirty-eight and a half degrees, the baby needs an antipyretic. If the itching becomes unbearable, you can ask your pediatrician to prescribe antihistamines.

One of the most controversial questions: “Is it allowed to bathe children with chickenpox?” In this case, the opinions of our and foreign pediatricians do not coincide. European doctors are confident that a shower soothes the skin and relieves itching, but domestic doctors, as a rule, are against any water procedures during this period. Only local baths with a solution of potassium permanganate are not prohibited.

Is it possible to prevent the disease?

Are there any preventative measures? of this disease? The only measure at the moment is the timely isolation of the sick child and those who came into contact with him.

Quarantine is usually established for a period of up to 9 days from the moment of the first rash. If the disease has become widespread, quarantine in the kindergarten group is set for 21 days from the moment the first case of the disease is detected. If the date of contact with a sick child is known, from 1 to 10 days after this, children can still attend kindergarten and school, and from 11 to 21 days they are sent to quarantine.

Is it possible to get sick again?

Are there vaccinations against chickenpox? Scientists are ambivalent about the possibility of preventing this disease by preventive measures, apparently, this is why such vaccinations are not carried out in Russia.

Some parents wonder whether it is possible to get chickenpox again. As a rule, people get sick with it only once in their life, after which antibodies are produced in the body of the person who has recovered from the disease. In the rarest cases, if antibodies are not developed for some reason, a recurrence of the disease is possible. Such cases are recorded only as an exception. At the same time, once the chickenpox virus enters the body, it remains with us forever, but the human immune system, as a rule, is able to keep it under control.

What consequences and memories does successful chickenpox leave behind in children? A photo from a family album with a baby stained with greenery will bring smiles for a long time. And there will be no trace of the disease itself.

If you know how chickenpox begins in a child or adult, you can notice the onset of the disease in time and take the necessary measures.

Features of chickenpox in children

Varicella (chickenpox) is a contagious disease of an infectious nature that differs acute course. This disease is considered to be a childhood disease, since the vast majority of cases of infection are registered in preschool and younger children. school age. However, if a person did not have chickenpox as a child, he or she may get it later in life. And while children, as a rule, have a mild form of the disease, adults often experience the disease extremely seriously, often with complications.

The disease is highly contagious and is transmitted by airborne droplets through mucous membranes. It is not necessary to have contact with a sick person.

The incubation period ranges from 10 to 21 days. But the child poses a danger to other children precisely from the moment of infection. That is why an epidemic of chickenpox begins easily and quickly in kindergartens and schools.

After the first signs of the disease appear, the child is a carrier for a week, so quarantine is indicated for this period. After the quarantine expires, the child does not pose a threat to the health of others, so he can again attend kindergarten or school.

However, parents should understand that there is nothing wrong with their child contracting chickenpox. In childhood it is much easier to tolerate than in adolescence and older age.

Stages of disease development

Chickenpox goes through several stages of development:

1. Incubation. During this period, the patient does not yet know that he is already a carrier of the virus. The virus multiplies rapidly on the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth. The duration of the period is 10-21 days.
2. Premonitory. The virus enters the blood, resulting in intoxication of the body. At this stage, it is difficult to accurately diagnose exactly chicken pox, and not something else infectious disease. The duration of the stage is from 1 to 2 days.
3. Rash stage. The first external signs of chickenpox appear - a rash. It affects the skin and mucous membranes. This is due to the spread and reproduction of the virus on the cells of the outer integument. The average duration is 3-10 days.
4. Recovery. This period begins from the moment the last skin rash appears. The blistering rash turns into crusts. Duration – 5 days.

The duration of the disease varies for each patient, but in most cases it does not exceed 7-10 days, provided it is mild and without complications. If there are complications, then the duration of the disease is, of course, longer. This picture is often observed in adult patients.

How does chickenpox start?

The disease can begin in different ways.

As a rule, the first signs of the disease include the following:

1. Signs of intoxication. For initial stage Chickenpox is characterized by increased temperature, fever, and decreased appetite.
2. Pain syndrome. The patient may complain of headache, muscle or joint pain. Such signs are more typical when an adult is infected.
3. Dec. This is what is called a prodromal rash. This is not yet the rash that is characteristic of chickenpox. Resch looks like small dots, similar to those that accompany scarlet fever, or maculopapular rashes, as with measles.

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One of the most highly contagious (infectious) viral infections in children is chickenpox. It manifests itself as blistering-spotted rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by intoxication symptoms. Until the 17th century, it was considered one of the forms of a deadly disease - smallpox, from which it received the medical name chickenpox. As an independent form of the disease, it was isolated in the early seventies of the 17th century, but the pathogen was identified and studied only in the middle of the 20th century.

Chickenpox is caused by a virus of the herpetiform family - "Zoster", which, after the end of the disease, remains for life and lives in nerve plexuses the human body in a state of suspended animation.

It is this fact that causes the activation of the virus many years after the illness, manifested by the pathological development of herpes zoster in the elderly, and with signs of immunodeficiency in people.

The main population susceptible to chickenpox is children, mainly under 10 years of age. Infants up to three months of age are protected from infection by antibodies transmitted by the mother transplacentally. As babies grow older, the level of mother's antibodies in the blood decreases, and they are also susceptible to illness. The severity of clinical manifestations is determined by the age of the patient.

chickenpox photo 1 - rash stage

How older age, the more severe the clinical form of the disease manifests itself, increasing the risk of complications. It has been noted that active young patients are characterized by a severe clinical picture of chickenpox with more active rashes than in phlegmatic patients. The susceptibility to infection of children who have not previously had chickenpox is enormous.

Without acquired immunity to infection, infection is guaranteed in almost 100% of cases.

Chickenpox is characterized by periodicity and seasonality of development, manifesting itself in outbreaks every three years during the cold season - autumn and winter. At the same time, during outbreaks of the disease in various children's groups, almost all children who were not previously ill become infected. Thanks to these properties of chickenpox, by the end of puberty, almost 70% of children acquire immunity to infection. The remaining 30% of children can be infected at any age.

Incubation period of chickenpox in a child

The source of the disease is a person infected with the virus. Due to the instability of the virus virions in open space, it is not capable of infecting by being transmitted by third parties or through contact with objects of the patient. Viral infection of the fetus is possible through the placenta or when a child during birth passes through the infected birth canal of the mother.

• Infection healthy person occurs through airborne droplets, transmitted by talking, coughing or sneezing, or through direct contact with a carrier of the active form of the pathogen.

When they enter the mucous tissues of the respiratory system, the virus virions penetrate the cell structure, causing its restructuring and increased production of similar viruses. Then, through the lymphogenous route, viruses easily spread throughout the organs and systems of the body.

With the end of the incubation period of chickenpox, which in a child can last from one and a half to 3 weeks, the infection penetrates into the blood, causing characteristic symptoms and rashes.

At the same time, the infected patient becomes contagious in three or five days before the onset of the first rashes and remains so for another week after their cessation and the appearance of cortical formations on the vesicular elements. In order to recognize the disease in time, it would be nice to know the primary signs and symptoms of chickenpox in children after the incubation period, the treatment of which, in this phase of the disease, will be most effective.

Symptoms of childhood chickenpox by stage

photo - what chickenpox looks like in children

During the course of the disease, there are 4 stages of manifestation of chickenpox in children, with characteristic symptoms for each stage:

1. Incubation stage, characterized by viral reproduction on mucous tissues respiratory system, lasting from one and a half to three weeks.
2. Prodromal stage - from the period of temperature increase to the stage of rash. In young children, this period can last from one to two days, or be completely absent. At this stage, chickenpox begins like a regular cold infection.
3. Stage of rashes - wave-like rashes for one and a half weeks with a minimum interval (1, 2 days).
4. The stage of cortical formations, which appears after 5 days of blistering. When all blisters are covered en masse, the release of the virus stops and the child does not pose a danger to his environment.

At the stage of initial manifestation of chickenpox in a child, in addition to the fan-shaped appearance of the rash, there are signs of general malaise in the form of:

• manifestations of headaches;
• loss of strength and apathy;
• irritability and refusal to eat;
• signs of intoxication and insomnia.

These symptoms can appear a couple of days before the first rash appears. A child at the initial stage of chickenpox may develop lymphadenitis with a predominance of cough and sore throat, which may be a consequence of damage to the mucous tissues of the respiratory tract. When the rash stops, coughing and tickling usually stop.

Features of the course of chickenpox

The initial manifestations of the disease are no different, so the infection is not immediately recognized. This may be a single small pimple with a pinkish color, which many parents do not pay attention to.

The primary symptom of chickenpox, characteristic of children, appears later when the pimple enlarges and fills with a liquid substrate, turning into a bubble formation (vesicle) on the skin.

It is accompanied by similar small rashes. The rash typically appears on the skin of the face, neck and hair on the head. It can cover the entire body, without affecting only the skin of the palms and feet. The speed of rashes and their number are different. Sometimes it can cover the entire body in a matter of hours, sometimes within a few days, the rash is completely insignificant. This depends on viromy – the level of presence of Zoster virus in the blood.

• At first, the chickenpox rash looks like a mosquito bite on the skin, appearing on the skin as small round pink spots.

Soon, the spots begin to grow and rise above the skin, turning into vesicles (bubble formations) filled with a colorless substrate. Then, the bubbles that appeared earlier than others open, pouring liquid out, forming a crusty wound at the site of the opening. Which soon disappears.

During periods of rashes, the body is actively hyperemic, becomes hot, and signs of chills appear. The temperature rises slightly, but can be completely normal. A significant increase in temperature indicators is observed at the stage of mass eruptions, but immediately normalizes after the end of the process. The rash causes severe itching symptoms on the skin.

After a period of rash, which can last 4 days or more than a week, the recovery period begins. Fallen crusts leave no trace of skin damage. A slightly noticeable pigmentation remains, which goes away over time.

But such a pleasant outcome is only possible if the mother takes care and does not allow scratching and premature removal of acne crusts.

Scratching and premature removal of crusts are a predisposing factor for the penetration of infection and the development of purulent processes, leading to the formation of depressions in the form of a trace of smallpox, which remain on the body for life. By preventing infection, careful treatment and treatment of ruptured blisters, the skin after chickenpox in children retains a healthy and clean appearance.

After 5 days, after the last blisters appear, the little patient is no longer contagious and can be taken out for a walk.

Treatment of chickenpox in a child, drugs

Treatment of chickenpox in children depends on the complexity of the clinical symptoms - drugs are prescribed exclusively to alleviate it.

1) Antipyretic drugs prescribed during the period of fever. This could be Paracetamol or its analogues such as Tylenol or Panadol. "Nurofen" and its analogues in the form of "Bonifen", "Bren" or "Ibupron". The calculation of the dose and course is determined by the doctor, since an overdose can provoke irreversible processes in the kidneys.

2) To reduce itchy symptoms use antihistamines medicines– “Fenistil”, or “Suprastin” or sedatives in the form of tincture of valerian, decoctions of mint and chamomile.

3) To prevent internal damage and speeding up recovery, is attributed to taking antiviral agents in the form of "Acyclovir" or "Famciclovir".

4) To slow down viral reproduction, the use of immunomodulatory drugs is indicated - suppositories with “Viferon” and tablets “Groprinazin”.
There are many external remedies for treating rashes that reduce itchy symptoms, speed up the healing process and prevent bacterial attachment.

• Preparations in the form of gels and ointments, with antihistamine properties presented in the form of “Fenistil” and “Gistan”.
• Creams and ointments containing Acyclovir, Zovirax or Infagel have antiviral properties.
• Antipruritic homeopathic gels and ointments such as “Iricara” and “Kalamine” lotion, which accelerate the healing process and the falling off of crusts, while simultaneously preventing infectious penetration into wounds.
• For the treatment of rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, and genitals, treatment with Miramistin or a solution of boric acid is effective.

With mild manifestations of chickenpox, treatment of the child can be limited only to bringing down the temperature and treating the elements of the rash with a solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green.

A special place in the treatment of chickenpox in children at home is occupied by proper care for a small patient.

• There is no need to limit the child’s mobility if he does not have a fever;
• To relieve itching, you can treat the skin with vodka or camphor oil;
• The patient should trim overgrown nail plates to prevent the baby from scratching the body and causing an infection.
• After eating, if there are herpes formations on the mucous membrane, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with a solution of weak manganese or furatsilin, and treat them with 3% peroxide.
• Reduce symptoms of itching and cleanse the body of corrosive salty sweat during hot periods, water treatments under a warm shower. In this case, you should not vigorously wipe the skin; you should dry it with light touches of a soft towel.
• To prevent damage to the vesicles, sick children should be dressed in loose clothing, preferably made from fabrics based on natural raw materials.

If you are sick, you should not pick off scabs and vesicles; during illness and quarantine, you should not allow a sick child to come into contact with other children.

You cannot include carbohydrate foods in your diet, expanding it with fruit juices and fruit drinks diluted with a little water. When washing babies, you should not use washcloths and soap, replacing it with liquid gel. These rules should be followed until the crusts dry completely and separate.

Possible complications and prognosis

The prognosis for childhood chickenpox is favorable, but attention should be paid to the fact that the manifestation of convulsions, confusion, vomiting and bowel disturbances are not specific symptoms of the disease, but signs of the development of complications. Which is a good reason for an emergency visit to a doctor, since the most dangerous of complications can manifest itself as encephalomyelitis.

When a baby arrives in the family, all parents experience happiness. Not without reason, since “new love” has appeared in life. But when a baby gets sick, we can experience different emotions and, as a rule, they are not positive. However, if your child has contracted the chickenpox virus, you should rather rejoice than grieve. How to recognize chickenpox, the first signs, how chickenpox begins in children, how to identify chickenpox in a child, the symptoms of which are not entirely characteristic of this disease, and much more, you will learn from this useful article.

After infection, the disease occurs secretly in the child’s body and does not manifest itself in any way. The period of time for the latent form of chickenpox in children is on average 7-21 days. This directly depends on immune system: The faster the immune system detects the virus in the body, the faster the reaction will be.

And so, your baby is sick. The very first signs of infection in a one-year-old baby or at 2 years old, as well as in children 4 years old, 5 years old or 10 years old, are approximately the same. The only difference is that a child at 3 or 4 years old will certainly tell you about his unwell health.

Photo of how chickenpox begins in children. As a rule, the disease begins with fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes (often behind the ears) and general weakness. If you look at it, the main symptom of infection is fever. The appearance of fever during chickenpox indicates intoxication of the body by the virus and this is a natural reaction of the immune system to the pathogen. Other manifestations - chills, fever, weakness, etc. - are a consequence of increased temperature. It can be argued that the symptoms of chickenpox in children are quite vague, and it is virtually impossible to diagnose this disease only by the symptomatic manifestations of the infection. And only some time after the first symptoms appear (2-5 days), a characteristic rash appears on the patient’s body, which is the main sign of the disease.

Where does chickenpox start in children?

It is difficult to say from where the rash begins to spread. Most often, the spread of the rash begins from the head and face, but there are cases when the rash initially affects the arms or stomach... the virus does not matter. How does the rash appear? First, reddish spots appear, no more than 1 centimeter in diameter, in small quantities, which after a few hours change and turn into bubbles with a clear liquid, affecting most of the patient’s skin. Chickenpox rashes are accompanied by severe itching, which causes serious discomfort to the child. Signs of the initial stage of chickenpox in children with photos.

There are cases when fever appears as a result of rashes on the body, although this is not typical. However, with profuse rashes on the child’s skin, the temperature often increases.

After about 1-2 days, pimples or papules begin to dry out and crust over on their own; new ones appear after a day or two. Within 7-14 days, the crusts peel off and fall off, leaving pinkish spots that disappear after a while, leaving no traces.

It is worth adding that rashes with chickenpox in a child can appear not only on the body, but also on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and throat. At the same time, the child experiences painful sensations in the area affected by rash and discomfort. As a result, refusal to eat is possible.

The patient's infectiousness does not appear immediately. It is generally accepted that a child becomes contagious a day or two before the first signs of a rash appear and continues to be contagious until the last papules appear on the body. 5-7 days after the last elements of the rash appear, the baby is no longer considered contagious.

Signs of chickenpox in children, as well as symptoms, can have varying degrees of severity. In some children, the rash may be minor and practically not itch, and the temperature does not rise above 37.5 degrees. In other cases, the rashes are widespread and abundant, there are many foci of the rash, the temperature can reach 39-40 degrees. The rashes are very itchy, sleep and appetite are lost. What is this connected with? The fact is that chickenpox can take 3 forms:

• In mild forms of the disease, the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees, rashes appear in relatively small quantities, itching is present, but does not create much discomfort. The rash lasts no more than 5 days;
• The moderate form of chickenpox is characterized by an increase in temperature above 38 degrees, chills, weakness, muscle and joint pain, profuse rashes, accompanied by severe itching. In childhood, this form of viral infection is rare;
• A severe form of chickenpox is characterized by high fever (39-40 degrees), profuse rashes throughout the body and on the mucous membranes. Nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms and spontaneous twitching of limbs, severe malaise, delirium, lack of coordination, etc. Unfortunately, a severe form of chickenpox is most often observed in children under one year of age. This is explained by the weak immune system of babies, since at this age the child’s body may no longer have the mother’s immunity received from milk, and its own has not yet been developed;

Chickenpox at the age of 3 years or 10 years is often mild and does not cause difficulties in treatment.

Vestigial or atypical chickenpox

Medical practice shows that chickenpox can be asymptomatic, that is, there is no actual manifestation of infection. With this course of the disease, there is a very weak manifestation of symptoms and signs of infection, or their complete absence. As a rule, this phenomenon predominates in children under the age of 1 year, due to the receipt of mother's antibodies (if the mother has previously had chickenpox) along with milk. Also, a similar course of infection is observed in newborns after injection of immunoglobulin.

In addition to such a favorable form, atypical chickenpox is characterized by more severe manifestations:

• Gangrenous form. With this feature of the course of the disease, transformation of the rash is characteristic (the rash increases slightly in size, the liquid in the blisters becomes cloudy). This happens due to infectious inflammation in the skin epithelium upon contact pathogenic bacteria in the wound. Most often, the cause of the gangrenous form of chickenpox is scratching or squeezing the rash;
• Hemorrhagic form of atypical chickenpox. Characterized by massive infection of the body by the virus. The liquid in the bubbles is cloudy with an admixture of blood, a very high temperature, it is extremely difficult to churn, skin hemorrhages, nosebleeds, urine with blood, etc. The development of the hemorrhagic form occurs very intensively, which often leads to death. Children under one year of age or children with congenital immunodeficiency are at risk;
• The generalized form of atypical chickenpox is a complete destruction of organs by the virus, which leads to the cessation of important vital functions;

Note that these forms of atypical chickenpox in children are very rare, in case of timely diagnosis and treatment.

Perhaps every parent in our country is familiar with the name of this famous pediatrician. Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky, regarding the symptomatic picture of chickenpox, notes the similarity of its manifestations with acute respiratory diseases. Dr. Komarovsky considers timely diagnosis of the disease to be an important criterion in the fight against chickenpox.

According to Dr. Komarovsky, it would be wise to intentionally infect your child with chickenpox before the age of 12, since children tolerate this disease much more easily than adults. However, today there is an alternative to this “barbaric” method - vaccination against chickenpox. From the point of view of Evgeniy Olegovich, this method Providing immunity against the chickenpox virus is more effective and safer than direct contact of a child with a healthy virus.

Diagnostics

Today, it is not difficult to identify this disease, given the characteristic signs of its manifestation. Therefore, any doctor will do this without any problems. However, as we said above, there are atypical cases of chickenpox. In such situations use laboratory methods diagnosing the disease, namely blood tests for specific antibodies of the IgG and IgM classes. This diagnostic method is highly accurate, but in the early stages of chickenpox the results may be erroneous.

chicken pox

Chickenpox - volatile viral infection, which is caused by one of the types of herpes virus (Varicella-herpes zoster). Occurs in mild, moderate and severe forms. Characteristic symptoms- fever and rash. It is considered a typical childhood infection, although adults are also affected.

The chickenpox virus is characterized by extraordinary volatility, it is carried by air currents and wind (but still does not fly into the window), which is why it is called “chickenpox”. You can become infected from a human carrier not only at arm's length, but also within a radius of 50 meters. Chickenpox, like measles and rubella, is a highly contagious disease. However, the virus itself quickly dies in environment, it is affected by rising and falling temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, and disinfection of premises.

How does chickenpox start in children? First, the virus enters the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and respiratory tract, then actively multiplies in the epithelial cells, and this is how the latent period of the disease proceeds. Then the virus enters the lymph and blood vessels, accumulates there, spreads throughout the body, which causes the characteristic signs of chickenpox in children - fever, and then rashes.

Chickenpox symptoms

The initial stage of chickenpox is called the prodromal period and is rare. How does chickenpox manifest in children at this stage? Increased temperature and small, red rashes on the skin, like scarlet fever. They persist for several hours and then disappear. And only a day later the rash characteristic of chickenpox appears.

• The first symptoms of chickenpox in children. Similar to the beginning of ARVI. The child may complain of headache, poor appetite, weakness, and refuses active games.
• Temperature with chickenpox. Most often it ranges from 37 to 38°C. In some children it can reach 39°C or higher. Fever can last 3–5 days, in severe forms - up to a week. The temperature is maintained until all waves of rashes have passed.
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and back of the head. This suggests that the pathogen has entered the lymphatic system and actively reproduces there.
• Rash. The signs of chickenpox are easily recognized when typical rashes appear. The first rash often appears on the head 1–2 days after illness or fever. Within 5 days, new rashes appear on all parts of the body. First, a red spot appears, then a bulge (papule) forms, after which a bubble with a clear liquid (vesicle) appears, which is figuratively called a “dew drop”. After 1–2 days, the contents of the vesicle become cloudy, and after another day or two it begins to dry out. The resulting crusts last a long time and disappear only after a few weeks.
• Severe itching. Characteristic when new blisters appear. Itching is the most big problem with chickenpox, especially in young children who scratch the wounds without controlling themselves.

Light form

The symptoms of chickenpox in children, which occurs in a mild form, are erased. Recently, this form of the disease has been found in children under 12 years of age. If teenagers and adults get sick, they often suffer from the disease with difficulty. How does chickenpox manifest in mild form?

• Mild feeling. Maybe not strong headache, fatigue, lethargy.
• No fever. Sometimes there is an increase to 37.5°C.
• Minor skin rash. The papules are single and small in size, there are few of them, the itching is mild.

A mild form of chickenpox may not provide lasting immunity; there is a high probability that the child will get sick again. Doctors warn parents about this.

For any form of chickenpox in children of any age, it is necessary to follow the basic rules of child hygiene: bathe, keep hands clean, be sure to trim nails. External environmental conditions are also important. The air in the room should be sufficiently humid (from 50 to 70%) and not too warm (no more than 20°C). The child will sweat less, itch, and rip off scabs. These conditions will help prevent secondary infection and keep your baby's skin clear and scar-free.

Features of chickenpox in infants

Chickenpox in newborns and infants is a rare occurrence, because the child usually receives antibodies to the disease from the mother during prenatal development. But if the mother has not had chickenpox, she has no immunity. This means there is a risk of infection of the baby. How does chickenpox occur in infants?

Chickenpox in children is dangerous due to intoxication and complications. Often infants are hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.

Complications

Chickenpox is only a seemingly harmless infection. Dangerous consequences The diseases are very rare and can develop in children with immunodeficiency. What complications can there be after chickenpox in children?

• Secondary infection. Skin damage by staphylococcus and streptococcus. Against this background, purulent dermatitis can develop, which can only be treated with antibiotics.
• Suppression of immune function. The chickenpox virus suppresses the body's defenses. Against this background, a number of diseases can develop: otitis media, gingivitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, stomatitis, arthritis, nephritis, myocarditis and others.
• Hemorrhagic chickenpox. Heavy and dangerous form a disease in which the blisters fill with blood. Then hemorrhages appear on the skin and mucous membranes, bleeding from organs gastrointestinal tract, lungs, nose. Danger of death.
• Gangrenous chicken pox. Papules turn into large flabby blisters with signs of necrosis. Huge ulcers appear on the body, which become infected, and sepsis begins.
• Chickenpox encephalitis. The virus can lead to inflammation of the brain. In addition to high fever, unbearable headaches are observed.
• Scars and scars. Sometimes traces of chickenpox remain on the skin if the child scratched the rash vigorously and tore off dry formations. Also, scars remain if there was a secondary infection, purulent processes with deep skin lesions.

Dangerous complications sometimes occur when taking certain medications for chickenpox. For example, it is strictly forbidden to give aspirin to children, as this can lead to dangerous liver damage (Reye's syndrome). You cannot combine chickenpox and taking hormonal and glucocorticosteroid drugs.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment for chickenpox in children depends on how it progresses. Most often, they give antipyretics, plenty of fluids, and disinfect the blisters. You should definitely call a doctor for any form of chickenpox.

Light and medium forms

Mainly used local treatment and careful hygienic skin care. No hospitalization required.

• Bed rest. Recommended during fever, when feeling unwell.
• Antipyretics. Must be given when high temperature. A fever of up to 38°C is reduced if the child is not feeling well or is individually intolerant to an increase in temperature.
• Antiseptic treatment of vesicles on the body. Traditionally, the blisters are lubricated with brilliant green to dry them, disinfect them, and prevent secondary infection. Modern pediatricians believe that this procedure is more needed in order to identify new waves of rashes and mark them. In addition to brilliant green, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate, fucorcin, rivanol, calamine. Antiseptics are applied with a cotton swab several times a day.
• Antiseptic treatment of vesicles on the mucosa. You can rinse your mouth and throat with chamomile decoction and furatsilin solution.

Severe forms

• Antiviral drugs. Drugs against herpes viruses are used locally. Children from two years of age are allowed Zovirax, Acyclovir, Virolex.
• Antibiotics. Chickenpox is not treated because it is a viral infection. Apply only when there is a secondary bacterial infection on the skin, a strong inflammatory, purulent process.
• Drugs to support the immune system. The doctor may prescribe immunomodulators and immunostimulants. The most famous: “Anaferon”, “Interferon”, “Viferon”.
• Antihistamines. Prescribed to relieve severe itching. Second and third generation drugs are often used: Claritin, Cetrin, Erius, Zyrtec, Terfen and others.

In case of prolonged high temperature, severe intoxication, or serious condition, they are hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

More about swimming

When can you wash if you have chickenpox and when can you swim if you have chickenpox? Old-school domestic pediatricians will answer these two questions: it is strictly forbidden to wet the blisters; contact with water prevents their rapid healing. According to European and American pediatricians, you can swim when the temperature drops. Water does not harm skin rashes in any way and, on the contrary, even alleviates the condition, washes away sweat, and relieves itching. However, there are a number of cautions and recommendations:

Is it possible to swim if you have chickenpox? It is not only possible, but also necessary if the child sweats a lot and is bothered by severe itching. Hygiene procedures will also help prevent secondary infection.

In most cases, chickenpox in children is easily tolerated, without consequences. It is more common in preschoolers and younger schoolchildren. It is seasonal, most often occurring in autumn and winter. On average, epidemic outbreaks of chickenpox occur once every 5 years: children get sick en masse in kindergartens and schools.

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