On what day does chickenpox begin in children? What does chickenpox look like in the early and late stages?

Many adults had chickenpox as children, so they often forget what chickenpox looks like and how it begins in children.

At the very beginning of the disease, chickenpox is easily confused with ARVI or allergies. There are several basic rules and main differences that are specific to the onset of chickenpox.

What does chickenpox look like in children: photos in the initial stage

The difference between chickenpox and another disease (from allergies, and) is a characteristic rash. Each spot looks like a small nodule filled with liquid, which can be up to 5 mm in diameter.

The chickenpox rash goes through the following stages of development.

1. Red spots. Initially, spots appear ranging in size from a pinhead to a round or oval lentil grain. The initial stage of the rash resembles small red spots, similar to mosquito bites or insect bites.
2. Papules. Within a few hours, the spots acquire the character of papules with a clearly defined contour
3. Vesicles. After a few hours or the next day, a vesicle bubble with smooth edges and transparent watery contents forms in the center of the elements.
4. Crusts. The liquid in the vesicle becomes cloudy and it bursts. The wound heals slowly and becomes covered with a crust, which disappears after a few days.

Rashes are often observed on the conjunctivae of the eyes, (hard palate, mucous membrane of the cheeks, gums, uvula, posterior wall of the pharynx), sometimes on the larynx and

Such bubbles may appear for the first time on the back

The onset of the disease can occur in two ways.

• In the first option, a small red rash appears on the patient’s body, which after a few hours turns into blisters.
• In the second variant of chickenpox, the patient develops several single blisters (on the face or back).

The initial stage is usually 2 days. On the 3-4th day, profuse rashes begin. It is necessary to inspect the child's body daily for the presence of rashes.

Chickenpox rash

Where and where does the rash come from first: the onset of the disease

Chickenpox appears on the body in waves. The rash can appear on any part of the body. More often found on the face, scalp, and back. Less commonly noted - on the stomach, chest, shoulders, hips. As a rule, there is no rash on the palms and soles.

With mild to moderate severity, the rash is localized mainly on the back, upper and lower extremities, and on the face. In severe cases of chickenpox, papules can be on the mucous membranes: on or

Many parents miss the fact that pockmarks can also be found in the scalp and forget to treat them. The child experiences great discomfort, and the onset of chickenpox quickly spreads over the scalp.

The chickenpox rash changes every day. The photo shows what the rash looks like at the beginning of the disease, on days 7 - 8, and at the end of chickenpox - on day 15.

My 2-year-old son contracted chickenpox from his older son. Snot, fever, then a small red rash appeared. After just a few hours, the pimples began to turn into small bubbles. Papules were on the back, on the chest, on the head; quite a bit on the arms and legs. The temperature remained for 2 days at 37.5 - 37.6, then dropped to 36.8 - 36.9.

How quickly does the rash spread throughout the body?

Experts note that mostly new rashes appear in the morning and late afternoon, and in some children at night. The spread of the rash depends on the severity of the disease.

In moderate to severe forms of chickenpox, pockmarks spread throughout the body, including the mucous membranes of the mouth and genitals.

With a mild form of chickenpox or at the very beginning of the disease, several blisters may appear on the body for several days.

Photo of chickenpox rashes on a baby's stomach This is what the first rashes of chickenpox look like on a baby's arm Bubbles on a child's tongue Rashes on the tongue The first manifestations of chickenpox on the back are often found in the form of a small red rash Chickenpox is a small red rash that turns into small blisters

Interview with a doctor about the symptoms and forms of chickenpox, how they manifest themselves, and how to distinguish chickenpox from other infections.

When do the rashes stop?

The chickenpox rash appears on the skin in waves. Each new appearance may be accompanied by an increase. In some children, the rashes stop on the 4th - 5th day, and the temperature returns to normal or drops to a level of 37.

Sometimes the rash can last 6 – 8 days. If a child stays above 38 for more than 3 days, you should immediately consult a doctor.

How long does chickenpox last?

Chickenpox depends on the form of its occurrence and usually lasts from 7 to 14 days. The patient is considered non-infectious until 5 days have passed from the appearance of the last vesicle.

Quarantine in children's institutions is 21 days, since chickenpox is latent, when there are no symptoms, and the carrier of the virus is already considered infectious.

Can chickenpox go away without a rash?

In some cases (very rarely), chickenpox may occur with blurred signs or asymptomatic. This form of chickenpox occurs in people with strong immunity or.

Persons who have had chickenpox in mild degree susceptible to re-infection with the virus in the form of shingles.

What chickenpox looks like in children at different stages

Mild rash

A mild form of chickenpox passes without temperature or with a slight increase in temperature - no higher than 37.5. General state the patient is satisfactory. The rashes are present only in certain areas, for example, on the back and chest, and a little on the arms.

The patient experiences severe itching and general weakness of the body.

Rash on the skin Rash on the body Chickenpox is a small red rash that turns into small blisters. The first manifestations of chickenpox are often found on the back in the form of a small red rash

Severe rashes

The average form of chickenpox is characterized by severe rashes (including pockmarks). The temperature can rise to 39 and above.

A severe form of chickenpox is dangerous because the patient may develop symptoms. Chickenpox can last more than 2 weeks.

Pockmarks on the palate of a child

Why you need to recognize chickenpox at the very beginning of the disease

The correct diagnosis can be made by a local pediatrician. The child care facility that the patient visited is quarantined for 21 days. Children who have not had chickenpox can stay at home at this time, isolated from the group. At the first suspicion of chickenpox, you should call a doctor at home.

Differences between chickenpox and other infections

The main difference between chickenpox and other diseases (scarlet fever and allergies) is the characteristic rash. At first it is small red - then the pockmarks resemble small bubbles that burst and dry out.

The photo shows what chickenpox looks like on early stage and a vesicular rash.

Chicken pox by day or How the papule changes

The rash goes through several stages. First, a red spot appears, then turns into a vesicle filled with water. The bubble bursts, and in its place a crust appears, which falls off.

Treatment of chickenpox should be comprehensive: treatment of the rash, relief of itching, control.

Chickenpox symptoms and treatment

Symptom in a child	Treatment	Possible complications if left untreated
Rash	The rash is treated 3-4 times a day with antiseptic drugs. Papules are lubricated with brilliant green, fucorcin, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or calamine. Antiseptics dry out the rash, eliminate itching, and reduce the risk of complications.	Purulent-inflammatory diseases, abscesses are possible.
Itching	The rash itches, so the itching is relieved with antihistamines. Children under 3 years of age are given Zodak or Fenistil drops. Over 3 years old, you can give Supratin or Claritin 1/2 tablet 2 times a day or 1 time before bed.	A child can introduce an infection into the wound, and marks may remain.
Temperature	At high temperatures, children are given Panadol in syrup or paracetamol in tablets.	Convulsions, intoxication, cardiomyopathy.
Cough, difficulty breathing	Immediate hospitalization is required.	Chickenpox pneumonia

In the initial stage of the disease in children over 3 years of age, the antiherpetic drug acyclovir is used, and the drug is also used for severe chickenpox. In some cases, the pediatrician may prescribe

Folk remedies

Lemon and blueberries are effective in treating chickenpox; they strengthen the immune system and suppress viral diseases. Tea with lemon, compote or blueberry juice will help your baby regain strength during illness.

To the most effective means include various procedures.

1. Calendula lotions. You can apply lotions from infusions of various herbs to the affected areas.
2. Baths based on a decoction of celandine, chamomile, calendula or oak bark. Baths should be short (no more than 5 minutes).
3. Herbal infusions for oral administration. In children, they should be used only after consultation with a doctor, as allergies may occur to some herbs.

Read more about chickenpox treatment folk remedies you can

Preventive measures

There are currently two main vaccines: Okavax and Varilrix. When contacting an infectious patient, use it no later than 96 hours after contact with the patient. Allowed for children from 12 months or after 1 year.

According to studies, the vaccine sufficiently protects against chickenpox and its complications. Of course, people who received
vaccination, they may get chickenpox, but the disease will be mild.

TO preventive measures also include actions aimed at strengthening the immune system.

Chamomile tea effectively relieves inflammation and calms the nervous system

Reminder for parents on what to do if you have chickenpox

1. If a rash is detected, call a doctor at home.
2. Before the doctor arrives, measure the child’s body temperature.
3. If the pediatrician diagnoses chickenpox, then you need to call the kindergarten and school and report that you have chickenpox. The class or group will be quarantined for 21 days.
4. Put your child to bed, let him drink more often, and adjust his diet.
5. Follow the instructions prescribed by your doctor. Treat the rash every day 2-3 times a day; if the temperature is high, you should give the child Panadol or paracetamol. Antiviral or antiherpetic drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
6. If the temperature stays above 38 for more than 3 days or the child’s health becomes worse or a cough appears, you need to call a doctor at home again or call an ambulance.
7. Chickenpox usually goes away without complications, but if the child’s immunity is weakened or the parents accidentally bought it before the illness, then the risk of complications is very high.

Conclusion

Parents definitely need to know the first symptoms of the disease in order to provide first aid to their child as quickly as possible. The disease most often occurs in childhood and usually proceeds without complications. At the first symptoms of chickenpox, you should seek qualified medical attention. medical care to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Verified by: Petrova Anastasia Vladimirovna, pediatrician of the highest category

Medical sources were used in preparing the material:

1. Galitskaya, M.G. Chicken pox: possibilities of combating the “old enemy” in the practice of a pediatrician / M.G. Galitskaya, A.G. Rumyantsev.
2. Nikiforova, L.V. Modern Features clinical course chickenpox in children.
3. Varicella Zoster Virus // World Health Organization.

It's no secret that the main manifestation of chickenpox is a rash on the skin. But among common childhood infections, chickenpox is not the only one. Therefore, first things first.

Chickenpox rashes appear almost simultaneously with the increase in
body temperature. The first elements of the rash can be found on the scalp, but soon they appear on the face, trunk and limbs. At the beginning, each element of the rash has the appearance of a small papule (an element without content), which within a few hours turns into a vesicle with tense, shiny walls. Most of them are surrounded by a narrow, bright pink border and have a “umbilical” depression in the center. After 2-3 days, the blisters dry out and crusts form in their place, which disappear 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 fever candle. New elements appear on the skin within 5 days and cause severe itching. Rashes can sometimes be found on mucous membranes: in the mouth or on the genitals.

Now about contagiousness. The chickenpox virus, one of the family of herpes viruses, is spread by airborne droplets, can penetrate through corridors into neighboring rooms and even from one floor to another, and it is not for nothing that it is called the chickenpox virus. 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 day of the incubation period until the 5th day of the rash, a patient with chickenpox is contagious to others. The maximum incidence occurs in the autumn-winter period. Mostly children from organized groups get sick.

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 recurrent 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 fever?

Asymptomatic and absence of fever occurs, but is very rare. It happens that the temperature rises, but very moderately, for example up to 37-37.5°C. How, in this case, can you find out whether there was chickenpox, or whether everything was just suspicion? - In this case, the only reliable way is a blood test for the presence of antibodies to the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster) and determination of their avidity.

Is it possible to wash in acute period chicken pox? How to treat genitals that 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 treatments until the 5th day of the rashes inclusive. And from day 6 you can take a shower carefully.

How to properly treat chickenpox?

Treatment of chickenpox is symptomatic, i.e. aimed at reducing negative impact symptoms of the disease:

- Treatment of rashes.

— For the entire period of the disease, you should take more fluid to reduce intoxication.

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

— Antihistamines may help reduce itching: in children early age Fenistil and Zodak are allowed. If you are older, you can take Suprastin, Claritin, etc.

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

What is the most effective way to treat rashes? What to do to prevent “blagging out”, i.e. pockmarks?

It is customary to treat rashes to reduce itching, prevent suppuration of rash elements and speed up their drying. It is usually customary to treat rashes with aniline dyes - brilliant green or fucorcin. There are also more modern products that do not color the skin, etc.

Balling out, that is, a skin defect, appears when the integrity of the vesicle is violated. Most often this happens when children start scratching them. To prevent this, children need to cut their nails shorter and try to distract them with something; It is useful for small children to wear mittens, but with older children it is important to reach an agreement and tell them about the consequences of combing, because... It can be difficult to keep track of them. 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?

It's really true, because... in adulthood, this childhood infection is much more difficult to tolerate. I myself had chickenpox while studying at medical school. I wouldn’t wish on anyone the ordeal that accompanied a common childhood infection.

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

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

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

In our country in national calendar vaccinations do not include immunization against chickenpox, although such a vaccine exists and can be administered at vaccination centers. The intensity of immunity after an illness is higher than after vaccination. But the disease, unfortunately, can occur with complications - chickenpox encephalitis, pneumonia, or purulent skin lesions. They are recorded mainly in weakened children. Therefore, there is no point in talking about the inappropriateness of vaccination.

To prevent the spread of infection, patients are isolated at home until the 5th day from the time the last fresh element of the rash appears. 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 should be examined by a pediatrician. But do not rush to treat all spots, dots, bubbles and other elements that may appear on your child’s skin with brilliant green. Not every rash is chickenpox, and the causes of rashes are very diverse. The colored 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 be hidden behind them. A few hours won't make any difference, but accurate diagnosis can help start proper treatment on time.

With love and wishes of health, pediatrician Chumak Nadezhda Mikhailovna

Over the past few days, your child has not been feeling so great, he has had a runny nose and cough, and one morning you look at your child and notice a lot of spots that are spreading all over his body?

Your baby is showing symptoms of chickenpox!

What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, a member of the herpes virus family. During the initial infection, these viruses affect many tissues and then enter incubation period and become inactive. The virus can be reactivated and cause illness.

Chickenpox is a viral infection that causes an itchy rash with small blisters filled with fluid. Chickenpox is highly contagious to those who are not vaccinated. Without routine chickenpox vaccination, virtually all people before reaching adulthood would be infected.

Rarely did the disease occur with serious complications. Today, the number of cases and hospitalizations have dropped sharply.

The Varicella-Zoster virus is divided into common so-called " viral exanthems» ( viral rashes), such as measles (Rubella), German measles (Rubella), fifth disease (parvovirus B19), mumps virus and Rosola virus (human herpes virus). These viruses are unrelated to each other, except for their tendency to cause rashes.

In an unimmunized community, most people become infected with chickenpox before the age of 15 (mostly between 5 and 9 years of age), but chickenpox can occur at any age. Chickenpox usually affects adults and infants. Spring is considered a common time of year for chickenpox to appear.

During illness, the immune system produces proteins called antibodies. They fight the virus and then provide lifelong protection (immunity).

Note: It is rare to have two chickenpox cases in your life.

How does chickenpox begin in children, the first symptoms.

How does chickenpox start? The chickenpox virus (VZV) causes chickenpox infection. Most cases occur through contact with an infected person. The virus is contagious to others for two days (during the incubation period) before blisters appear.

The virus remains contagious until the blisters penetrate deeper into the skin. The virus spreads in the air from person to person. A child runs the risk of catching chickenpox if he is in the same room with an infected person for more than 15 minutes. Nine out of ten people became ill after personal contact.

The virus spreads through:

• saliva;
• cough;
• sneezing;
• contact with liquid from bubbles;

Immunity from the virus is transmitted from mother to newborn child - hereditary resistance. Chickenpox infection usually creates lifelong immunity to the disease. A newborn baby is not susceptible to chickenpox if the mother had chickenpox as a child.

During pregnancy, antibodies pass through the placenta and additional bodies through the milk, providing sufficient immunity. If your baby still gets chickenpox in the first 6 months of life and will not develop enough antibodies, he will be susceptible to further contraction of the disease later in life. Anyone who has not had chickenpox is at risk.

The chance of getting sick increases if:

• The child has recently interacted with an infected person.
• He was under 12 years old.
• The baby spends most of the day at school or kindergarten.
• The immune system is weakened due to another illness or medications.

Chickenpox onset - Chickenpox infection appears after 10-21 days of exposure to the virus and usually lasts about 5-10 days. The rash is a telltale sign of chickenpox.

Chickenpox begins in children - the first symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Migraine
• Fatigue, malaise
• Fever, temperature rises sharply. Headaches often begin the day before the rash appears.

Spots (rash). The spots appear in clusters. They develop into small blisters and are quite itchy. Several clusters develop within two - three days. Some children are covered in spots, while others do not develop blisters.

Where does chickenpox start?

There is a misconception that chickenpox starts from the legs or the head. In this case, chickenpox is confused with enteroviral vesicular stomatitis (HFMD). HFMD has symptoms very similar to chickenpox, but primarily affects the mouth, legs, and arms.

The incubation period for HFMD is 3 to 6 days, while for chickenpox it is 10 to 21 days. Both diseases are characterized by signs of rash, malaise, and fever; however, the chickenpox rash starts from the trunk of the body and spreads over 7-10 days towards the head, arms, legs, but the HFMD rash develops mainly in the mouth and limbs. Both of these diseases often form blisters (vesicles).

Some children feel unwell for a week. Others appear only mildly ill and begin to recover within one week. The disease ends with the gradual disappearance of the blisters, which takes up to two weeks. The baby is still contagious until all the blisters on your body are dry.

Incubation period.

When a person inhales the virus through respiratory droplets, it takes 10 to 21 days to develop. This is the initial stage of chickenpox in children - the incubation period. The average incubation period is 14 to 16 days. A rash is not always the first sign that chickenpox is starting.

swollen glands and flu-like symptoms are the precursors of red spots. Fever and malaise occur 1-2 days before the rash appears.

The incubation period should not be confused with how long a person is infected with other people. The contagious period of a person with chickenpox is one to two days before a rash develops.

The blisters remain contagious until scabs form. This is because while scabs are not infectious, blisters contain the virus in a liquid medium. These blisters usually break down within six days from the rash to the formation of a crust.

Prodromal period.

Early (prodromal) symptoms of chickenpox in children of the initial stage are nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain and headache. This is followed by a characteristic rash, malaise and fever that signal the presence of the disease.

Internal manifestations of the disease often precede external rashes. In children under 7 years of age, the disease is not accompanied by prodromal symptoms, and the first sign is a rash or spots in the mouth.

The rash begins as small red dots on the face, scalp, torso, arms and legs, progressing over 10-12 hours to small bumps, blisters and pustules followed by the formation of scabs. Prodromal symptoms last for 48 hours before the disease forms a rash.

Rash period.

The rash is centralized and itchy. This active stage virus development. It develops rapidly from the macula to papules and blisters, finally forming a crust. Damage to the skin leads to scars.

The rash usually appears first on the head, chest and back, then spreads to the rest of the body. Damage is usually most concentrated on the chest and back.

In healthy babies, varicella is usually mild, with an itchy rash, malaise and a temperature of up to 38-39 oC for 2-3 days.

Infants, adults, and immunocompromised people are at risk of severe illness and have a high rate of complications. Recovery from the initial chickenpox infection confers lifelong immunity.

In healthy people, a second occurrence of chickenpox is rare and usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems.

As with other viral infections, repeated exposure to natural (wild type) chickenpox results in re-infection, which increases antibody activity without causing disease or detectable viremia.

Chickenpox acne always looks the same. The chickenpox rash develops in groups of raised red spots and progresses to blisters filled with clear fluid.

Visually, the rash resembles drops of water on red skin. The bubbles are sometimes fuzzy in the center. They burst and mutate and then form ulcers, drying out as scabs or scabs.

Chickenpox rash is described as grouped blisters located on red, inflamed skin. At different stages of development, various areas form simple blisters, while other areas present as ulcers with oozing translucent fluid.

The crust from burst blisters comes off on its own, usually without forming scars. Scars occur if the sores are scratched by the patient or if a bacterial infection occurs. Limit your child from scratching painful areas.

Once chicken rash appears, it goes through three phases:

• Chickenpox initially appears as raised pink or red bumps (papules) that grow over the course of two days.
• Small fluid-filled bubbles (vesicles) that form from raised bumps for about a day before the lining of the bubble ruptures.
• Scabs and scabs that cover the broken blisters and take a few more days to heal.

New symptoms continue to appear in within three days. As a result, the child develops three stages of the rash—bumps, blisters, and residual damage to the skin tissue—simultaneously on the second day of the rash.

Note: Once infected, the child spreads the virus 48 hours before the rash appears, and remains infectious until all spots normalize.

If the child's immune system does not completely eliminate the presence of the virus, it retreats to a dormant stage in the sensory nerve membrane of the skin, where it is protected from the patient's immune system. Shingles disease (“zoster”) involves the release of these viruses along the length of the skin nerve fiber and causes a characteristic painful rash.

Prevention of chickenpox in children in 2019.

Chickenpox vaccine - The best way prevent chickenpox. Experts believe the vaccine does full protection against the virus for 98 percent of people who get both recommended doses. When a vaccine does not provide complete protection, it greatly reduces the severity of the disease.

• Little children. Children receive two doses of chickenpox vaccine—the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years—as part of the regular childhood immunization schedule. The vaccine is combined with the measles vaccine, mumps and rubella, but for children 12 to 23 months of age, the combination increases the risk of fever and vaccine seizure. Discuss the pros and cons of combining vaccines with your child's doctor.
• Unvaccinated older children. Unvaccinated children 7 to 12 years of age receive two catch-up doses of varicella vaccine. Vaccinations are distributed over three months.
• Unvaccinated children 13 years of age and older should also receive two doses of the vaccine within four weeks.

The child is not allowed to fly until the illness passes. This is because germs circulate easily through air conditioning systems on airplanes. The virus can be especially dangerous for pregnant women.

Is it safe and effective?

Parents are usually interested in whether vaccines are safe. A vaccine against chickenpox has become available, and studies find it safe and effective. Side effects are usually mild and include redness, soreness, swelling and, rarely, small bumps at the site of the shot.

For people who do not receive the chickenpox vaccine, varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) prevents or reduces symptoms after exposure. The expensive drug provides only temporary protection. VZIG is recommended for the treatment of chickenpox in people with high risk development of severe symptoms.

• • Newborns whose mothers have chickenpox two days before birth.
  • Unvaccinated children with leukemia.
  • Children with cellular immunodeficiencies and immune diseases.
  • Children using medications that suppress immune system.

Note: VZIG is administered no later than 96 hours after exposure to chickenpox.

Treatment and care for the child.

Chickenpox usually clears up within 14 days without special treatment. The doctor prescribes medications and gives recommendations to reduce itching and discomfort, and prevent the spread of infection to other people.

Pain or fever: Acetaminophen relieves symptoms of fever and pain. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Aspirin-containing products are NOT used for chickenpox, as this leads to complications. Do not use acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce a child's fever.

Do not use products containing aspirin. Aspirin use has been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome, a severe disease that affects all organs but most severely affects the liver and brain, leading to death. Acetaminophen can be used at any time, even during pregnancy.

Stay hydrated: It is important to give your child plenty of fluids to drink, preferably water, to prevent dehydration. Some doctors recommend sugar-sweetened syrups for children who do not drink enough.

Mouth soreness: Sucrose does not relieve symptoms of soreness if there are stains in the mouth. Salty and spicy foods should be avoided. If chewing is painful, soup is an appropriate food, but it should not be too hot.

Most cases of chickenpox do not require a visit to the doctor. But there are situations when this is necessary. If the fever lasts longer than four days or rises above 39 C, call your doctor.

Also notice areas of the rash (or any part of the body) that become red, warm, and inflamed. These are the signs bacterial infection. If pus has formed in these areas, this also indicates a bacterial infection.

Contact your doctor immediately if a child with chickenpox develops symptoms:

• • Seems extremely ill;
  • Difficulty waking up and walking;
  • Has a tense neck;
  • Repeated vomiting;
  • It's difficult to breathe;
  • Has a strong cough.

People with a weakened immune system from illness or medication should see a doctor immediately.

Itching begins: Severe itching becomes a serious problem, but it is important to minimize scratching to reduce the risk of scarring.

To prevent scarring:

• Keep your nails clean and short;
• Put mittens on your child's hands when he goes to bed so that any attempt to comb does not damage the skin;
• Using calamine lotion or having a bath to relieve itching;
• Wear loose clothing.

Antiviral drugs are prescribed for weakened immune systems. An example is acyclovir. Acyclovir reduces the severity of symptoms but does not cure the disease. Chickenpox is treated at home.

Home treatment involves relieving chickenpox symptoms as the body fights the virus. It is important to regularly monitor the skin and ensure that the blisters do not become infected. It is important to monitor other characteristic symptoms such as fever.

Possible complications.

Most children with chickenpox recover completely and have no complications. But:

Bacterial infection. This is the most common complication in children. If this happens, the surrounding skin becomes red and inflamed. Then you will need antibiotics in the form of creams or medications.

Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) are rare complications.

The immune system is your body's way of defending itself against diseases, bacteria and viruses. If your baby's immune system is weak or dysfunctional, chickenpox is more severe.

Note: A child's immune system is weakened when he takes immunosuppressants.

An immunosuppressive drug may be used. A weakened immune system is at risk of developing complications from chickenpox. These include pneumonia, septicemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis.

Walking with a child during chickenpox.

Walk with your child for an hour, but don't forget about external factors environment and weather. Avoid contact of damaged skin with bright colors sun rays. Also limit contact with other people, as your baby can infect them.

This is dangerous for adults, especially for pregnant women, because there is a negative difference between chickenpox in childhood and adulthood.

Bathing a child with chickenpox.

It will be useful for your baby to take a shower or bath. Children will find relief from itching in the bath. Do not bathe in hot water as this will increase the itching and do not take baths for too long. Dry your baby after showering or bathing without rubbing towels into the skin to prevent blisters from being damaged and scabs from falling off and leaving scars.

Try to avoid public places to avoid infecting others with the virus. This is dangerous especially for pregnant women and children with weak immune systems. If your child gets chickenpox, keep him away from playgrounds and public places until the blisters crust over.

This usually occurs a week after the first rash starts.

Salt baths are popular in the treatment of chickenpox. Salt helps soothe itching and dry out blisters.

If you bring your child to the playground, tell people and parents that the child has chickenpox. Not every parent will agree to have their children near people with chickenpox.

Swimming/Sports.

Chickenpox is highly contagious. If your little one gets chickenpox, he/she should not go swimming or play sports until the blisters have cleared. Swimming can further soften the scabs, which can lead to more intense itching.

Of particular interest are parents whose children have interacted with a child who has been diagnosed with chickenpox. Such information is also important in a situation where a chickenpox quarantine has been declared in a kindergarten or school. How to recognize this infection at an early stage and how to understand that a child has chickenpox? To answer such questions, you need to find out where and how chickenpox begins in childhood.

What is chickenpox

Chicken pox, which is traditionally called chickenpox by parents and doctors, is a highly contagious infection that occurs with fever, rash and other symptoms. Most often, this disease is detected in children aged two to ten years. Its causative agent is one of the types of herpes viruses – the Varicella Zoster virus.

Infants can also become infected and get sick from chickenpox, but most babies under six months of age are protected from chickenpox by their mother’s immunity. They receive antibodies to chickenpox from a mother who was ill in childhood, first in utero, and then through breast milk. A child older than 6 months is no longer protected by maternal antibodies, so chickenpox in infants who are already six months old is quite possible.

Watch the episode of the program “Live Healthy!”, in which host Elena Malysheva talks about chickenpox in children:

Chicken pox also affects people over 10-12 years of age. At the same time, in adolescents and adults, the infection is more severe, so many parents are not against preschoolers communicating with children suffering from chickenpox or turn to a medical institution for vaccination against this disease.

In the body of a child who has had chickenpox or has been vaccinated against the Varicella Zoster virus, antibodies are formed that provide him with lifelong immunity from such an infection for the rest of his life. Only in 3% of cases is re-infection possible, which is often associated with immunodeficiency.

Incubation period

This period is the time from the virus entering the child’s body after infection to the first symptoms of infection. If you answer the question “how many days after exposure does chickenpox appear?”, then most often in children it will be 14 days. The duration of the incubation period can be shorter (from 7 days) or longer (up to 21 days), but on average, the onset of chickenpox is noted two weeks from the moment of first contact with the virus.

The child becomes a source of transmission of the virus to other people at the end of the incubation period - approximately 24 hours before the first symptoms. In addition, you can become infected from a child with chickenpox during the entire period of the rash and within five days after the last blisters appear on the baby’s skin. Transmission of the pathogen occurs by airborne droplets.

Prodromal period

This is the name for the time period when it is difficult to say what kind of disease a child has developed. With chickenpox it is quite short (lasts one or two days), and in many children it may be absent altogether. In the prodromal period of chickenpox, mothers note such manifestations of malaise in children as weakness, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite and sleep.

Watch a video that clearly demonstrates the rashes at the initial stage of chickenpox in children:

Period of rash

The rash begins to appear on the first or second day of clinical symptoms of chickenpox. It is associated with the entry of the virus into the surface layer of the skin through the bloodstream. At the same time, the child’s body temperature rises, and the severity of the fever is directly related to the abundance of elements of the rash, and when new rashes appear, the temperature rises again.

Where do rashes appear?

Not knowing whether the child has contracted chickenpox, all mothers are concerned with the question “on what part of the body does the rash begin to appear?” The first elements of the rash in most children appear on the torso, then they spread to the skin of the extremities, and also appear on the head (first on the face, and then on the scalp). In some children, the rash also affects the mucous membranes; for example, pimples can be seen in the mouth.

Can it start from the feet?

The first spots of chickenpox may appear on the legs and head, but they soon spread to the skin of the body. At the same time, there is practically no rash with chickenpox on the palms and soles. It can appear in these areas mainly in severe cases of the disease.

If the child has a mild form of chickenpox, the rash will be represented by a small number of elements on the body, and the temperature often remains normal.

What does the rash look like?

Chickenpox rashes are represented by several types of elements that appear one after another. At first, small pink-red spots cover the child’s body, and after a few hours papules form in their place. This is the name given to small bumps that resemble mosquito bites.

Over time top part The epidermis in the papules exfoliates and clear liquid accumulates inside - this is how single-chamber vesicles appear. Around each such bubble you can see a red “rim” of inflamed skin.

To learn how to distinguish chickenpox from an allergy, watch the video.

As a rule, the chickenpox rash can be quite itchy, and the parents' task should be to prevent scratching, which can infect the blisters.

Chickenpox, or chickenpox, is an acute anthroponotic (only in humans) infectious disease with an airborne (aerosol) mechanism of virus transmission, characterized by the appearance of a vesicular rash, the presence of fever and general intoxication syndrome.

Cause of chickenpox (chickenpox)

The causative agent (“carrier”) of chickenpox (chickenpox virus) is the human herpes virus type 3 – “Varicella Zoster”. In the environment, the virus is absolutely unstable, highly sensitive to disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation; dies when exposed high temperatures. It multiplies in the nuclei of affected cells and has a pronounced cytopathic (damages the cell) effect.

The source is patients with all forms of chickenpox, as well as patients with herpes zoster (herpes zoster). The route of transmission of the virus is airborne droplets (aerosol), that is, the virus is released as a result of sneezing, kissing, coughing and, banally, during a conversation, released along with microscopic drops of saliva. The virus has a very high volatility, which makes it very contagious even when located at a distance of 15-20 meters from a sick person. As a result of infection of a pregnant woman, the virus, entering the blood and causing viremia, can penetrate the placenta and enter the fetus with further consequences (described below). The contagiousness of chickenpox is quite high - patients are contagious 24 hours before the first elements of the rash appear and up to 5-6 days from the moment the last rash appears. Sensitivity to chickenpox is quite high, but newborn children have innate immunity, which is passed on from their mother, so chickenpox in children under 6 months of age, as a rule, does not occur.
The largest number of cases occurs among people under 7 years of age, and mortality occurs when the disease occurs in the elderly and old age. The peak incidence of chickenpox occurs in two periods: the autumn period and the transition from autumn to winter (October - December). After suffering from chickenpox, a person develops non-sterile immunity to chickenpox, which remains for life, so repeated cases and relapses of chickenpox are extremely rare.

The incubation period is long and ranges from 9 to 22 days. Chickenpox in adults often occurs with a prodromal period (without clinical manifestations). In children, the disease most often begins with the appearance of elements of a vesicular rash, and only after a few days do general manifestations appear.

Types of chickenpox (classification of chickenpox).

Chicken pox occurs in typical and atypical forms and in terms of severity is mild, moderate and severe form. Chickenpox is also classified according to ICD-10 (with meningitis, encephalitis, pneumonia).
Atypical forms of chickenpox are divided into:

Hemorrhagic form - a common consequence of this form is bleeding, and this form occurs in people with thrombocytopenia.

Pustular form - develops when a bacterial agent is attached.

Gangrenous form - can lead to the development of sepsis and occurs most often in patients with weakened immunity.

The generalized (visceral) form of chickenpox is characterized by development in patients with immunodeficiency. It is very difficult, the symptoms are more pronounced and often ends in death for the sick person.

The rudimentary form is found in children who received immunoglobulin during the incubation period. It flows quite easily.

The severity of chickenpox is directly determined by the degree of intoxication syndrome and its criteria, as well as the presence of specific vesicular rashes on the skin and mucous membranes. It should be noted that there are also so-called abortive (very mild) cases of the disease, which occur without the appearance of fever and are characterized by the appearance of single rashes on the skin of the abdomen and back. Such chickenpox is detected in kindergarten during examinations during outbreaks.

To the question “how long does chickenpox last?” It is difficult to answer unequivocally, since the duration of the disease directly depends on the form and course of chickenpox. On average, in the classical (typical) course, the duration of the disease is from 12 to 16 days.

Chickenpox (chickenpox) of newborns.

Manifestation and clinical picture chickenpox directly depends on the time when the pregnant woman was infected with the virus. Fetal syndrome (usually manifested by underdevelopment of the upper and lower extremities, the appearance of scarring on the skin, atrophy of the cortical structures of the brain, microcephaly - a decrease in brain size and volume cranium) occurs very rarely, especially if the pregnant woman was infected in the first trimester of pregnancy. Chickenpox during pregnancy can have consequences for the fetus according to two other criteria:

In the case when a pregnant woman is infected with the virus 4 days or less before giving birth or within 2-3 days after birth, the newborn may develop a generalized (so-called visceral) form of chickenpox.

If a pregnant woman is infected with the virus more than 4 days before giving birth (5 days, a week, a month), she develops antibodies to chickenpox, which, penetrating into the child’s body, can prevent the development of a generalized form.

The consequences of chickenpox (chickenpox).

Both secondary associated infections and chickenpox itself can lead to similar consequences. Complications after chickenpox (typical form) occur quite rarely.

• Bullous impetigo. As a result of the addition of a secondary (bacterial) infection (in particular - Staphylococcus aureus) a disease such as bullous impetigo, characterized by massive lesions of the skin, can develop.
• Skin gangrene. It develops when staphylococcus penetrates into subcutaneous fat and its reproduction in deep layers. Very often this leads to the development of a septic process.
• Wound scarlet fever. The development of such a complication is possible when streptococcus (hemolytic) penetrates into one of the elements chicken rash, which leads to the appearance of a small rash throughout the body, characteristic of scarlet fever.
• Pneumonia. Pneumonia is quite severe complication chickenpox, and in the first few days pneumonia (chickenpox) can lead to the development respiratory failure And fatal outcome, especially in people with immunodeficiency and pregnant women. In the future, abscesses and their breakthroughs can form with the formation of fistulas.

Other complications may include phlegmon, lymphadenitis, and may occur erysipelas, myocarditis, but the most severe complication is post-varicella encephalitis, the mortality rate of which is 10-15%.

Swimming for chicken pox.

There is an opinion that you should not wet the rash of chickenpox at all, because this can lead to generalization of the process. This question can be considered from two sides: when to wet and how to wet. The state of the current plumbing system and the quality of the water indicate that it is undesirable to wet the elements of the rash and bathe with chicken pox, especially before the crust appears. This is due not only to the addition of bacterial flora, but also to the fact that the appearance of a virus in water can lead to the contamination of unaffected areas of the skin, which can subsequently lead to severe intoxication. At the same time, some foreign sources, on the contrary, recommend bathing with chickenpox with the addition of a small amount of potassium permanganate to the water, which will promote better healing and eliminate itching. Based on this, it is possible to unequivocally answer the question “is it possible to wash with chickenpox?” it is forbidden. You just have to remember that even if you decide to wash yourself during the period of illness, you should not rub the elements of the rash with a washcloth. It is advisable to take a shower without steaming your skin.

Which doctors should I contact if I have chickenpox (chickenpox)?

Chickenpox is an infectious disease, so it is best to immediately consult an infectious disease specialist. However, symptoms of the disease, such as the appearance of a rash, are usually delayed. Therefore, a person who does not suspect that he has chickenpox goes to a therapist or pediatrician with general complaints. After a thorough examination, the therapist in any case sends the patient to an infectious disease specialist for further hospitalization in a hospital. In some cases (if hospital treatment is refused, there is a lack of beds), outpatient treatment may be indicated.

Symptoms

Chicken pox: incubation period and first symptoms in children and adults

Chickenpox symptoms are divided into two groups: general signs common to many infectious diseases, and specific characteristics of how it manifests itself this pathology. The first group includes

malaise, weakness;

headache;

“ache” in the body;

• increased body temperature with chickenpox (specifically up to 37-38ºС);

  sleep disturbance;

  lack of appetite;

  disorders from gastrointestinal tract(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea with chickenpox).

The incubation period of the disease ranges from 6 to 20 days. Therefore, the first symptoms of chickenpox, belonging to the second group, appear, as a rule, two weeks after infection. But since it is difficult to accurately determine the moment at which the pathogen virus entered the body, it is more expedient to count from the onset of the disease. The onset of the disease is considered to be an increase in body temperature. By the end of the first day, specific signs of chickenpox appear, namely a papular rash. The number of elements varies from several tens to several hundred. The localization of rashes can be different:

scalp;

mucous membranes;

• upper and lower limbs;

  buttocks and thighs.

Chickenpox is more severe in adults than in children. The disease can occur in two types. The most common form of the disease is the traditional one. But in Lately There are frequent cases of registration of an atypical course of chickenpox.

• Typical form. Another name is traditional. There are three possible stages: mild (slight increase in body temperature, barely noticeable rashes), moderate (increase in body temperature to 38 - 39ºС, general malaise, elements of the rash are localized on the skin, but also affects chicken pox and mucous membranes) and severe (body temperature above 39ºС, profuse large rashes, weakness, headache, lack of appetite).
• Atypical form. This form is also called vestigial. In most cases it occurs in children, mainly newborns. Among possible options There are three types of how the atypical course of the disease manifests itself: a generalized form with a predominant lesion internal organs(liver, kidneys, lungs, etc.); hemorrhagic form with the appearance of hemorrhages in the epidermis, intestinal bleeding, bloody vomiting And gangrenous form when blisters turn into ulcers, often leading to the development of sepsis.

All types atypical forms are characterized by a severe course, the addition of secondary infections, and the development of complications. This can occur in both children and adults. The patient requires prompt hospitalization.

Specific signs of chickenpox

As stated above, specific sign Chickenpox is a spreading rash. What the rash looks like should be examined in more detail. At first, you may notice a faint spot on the body. Gradually, a compaction forms in the center of the redness, called a nodule or papule. The nodule has clear contours and rises above the skin level, the area around the formation has a bright red tint. After a few hours, the papule is filled with serous contents, turning into a blister of liquid. By the end of the first day, a light brown crust forms in place of the bubble. After one or two weeks, the crusts fall off, leaving no traces. But this is only if the elements of the rash are not damaged. Chickenpox rashes are accompanied by severe itching, and patients often scratch the blisters. In such cases, a crust may remain in place of the fallen off crust. age spot. If microbes suddenly get into the wound while scratching, infection may occur. Then the blisters will fester, which will lead to the formation of scars. After chickenpox, scars may appear.

The rash can also affect the mucous membranes of the mouth. This is manifested by the formation of whitish-yellow spots in the area of ​​the large molars. Such symptoms are especially difficult to tolerate in children, mainly infants. Kids are restless, capricious and refuse to eat.

A rare symptom is the formation of rashes on the genitals. These will be pimples that quickly turn into ulcers that heal within 3 to 5 days.

It should be noted that the rash interval is 1-2 days. Therefore, elements of rashes in various stages, from redness to crusts, are observed on the patient’s body. Each wave of rashes is accompanied by a febrile syndrome.

Chicken pox: symptoms of complications

In most cases, the course of chickenpox is favorable. The condition of the patients is satisfactory. But there are certain groups of people at risk of developing complications:

adults with weakened immune systems;

children born from unvaccinated mothers;

pregnant women;

aged people.

Complications include:

pneumonia (pneumonia);

encephalitis (inflammation of the brain);

meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord);

gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa);

pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);

pyelonephritis (kidney inflammation);

hepatitis (liver inflammation).

The above diseases are caused by the chickenpox virus itself. Among the complications, there are also those that are provoked by other microorganisms. In such cases, we should talk about the addition of a secondary infection. This happens because the chickenpox virus significantly weakens the immune system, as a result of which pathogens of various diseases easily penetrate the body. The most common infections are:

stomatitis (damage to the oral mucosa);

gingivitis (gum inflammation);

mumps (defeat salivary glands infectious nature);

conjunctivitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye);

otitis ( collective concept inflammatory diseases of the ear).

Atypical forms of chickenpox also involve other complications:

myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle);

pyoderma (purulent skin lesion);

lymphadenitis (a condition in which the lymph nodes become inflamed and enlarged due to chickenpox).

Diagnostics

How can you tell if a person is infected with chickenpox? To determine this there is laboratory diagnostics, where the chickenpox test is carried out. Laboratory doctors take your blood to test for antibodies to chickenpox (in both children and adults).

This blood test is comprehensive diagnostics, aimed at detecting the Zoster virus in the body. In addition, it is estimated Current state immunity. Depending on the reaction to chickenpox, doctors can conclude whether further vaccination and treatment are needed, or whether the body already has permanent immunity to chickenpox.

In what cases will a blood test be performed for chickenpox?

Such a diagnosis is primarily prescribed when the clinical picture for of this disease atypical, namely: there is severe intoxication and uncharacteristic rashes on skin. If doctors cannot accurately diagnose or confirm the disease, and the person does not remember whether he suffered this disease as a child, a blood test for chickenpox is also carried out. In women during pregnancy planning mandatory this analysis is taken.

What is the essence of the method?

Blood is drawn in the usual way and looks at two indicators: IgG immunoglobulins, which form in the blood when a person begins to recover, and IgM immunoglobulins, which appear after contracting the disease.

How exactly is the analysis deciphered?

If the antibody concentration exceeds normal value, it means that the person has chickenpox, but if the concentration is lower, the person is considered healthy. The following indicators are distinguished:

• IgG negative, IgM positive. Primary acute infection.
• IgG positive, IgM negative. The virus has been reactivated.
• IgG negative, IgM negative. The person has never had chickenpox.
• IgG positive, IgM positive. The man had previously had chickenpox.

How to prepare for the analysis?

No special preparation is required. The only thing that is advisable to do is to avoid spicy and fatty foods during the test.

Signs of chickenpox

Everyone knows what chicken pox looks like. The first sign of chickenpox is specific red rashes all over the body. But relying on such signs without the appropriate knowledge and trying to diagnose such a disease yourself is still not worth it. For doctors, such a symptom can indicate many other diseases, including dermatological ones.

In addition to red rashes on the body, you should pay attention to general deterioration well-being coupled with elevated body temperature. The patient's temperature can reach up to thirty-nine degrees Celsius. The rash is predominantly localized on the surface of the face, hairy parts head, body, arms and legs. It is extremely rare on the palms and soles of the feet. Over time, the rash lesions grow in size, acquiring a clearly round or oval shape. The size of individual vesicles can reach up to five millimeters. The contents of the rash are mostly transparent, sometimes cloudy. After two or three days, the vesicles dry out, leaving behind a hard crust that falls off after two to three weeks. In children, scars do not remain after they fall off. In the case of adults who have been ill at a fairly decent age for such a disease, scars are a fairly common problem. Sometimes the rash can be found on the mucous membrane of the mouth, larynx, and the surface of the genital organs. A characteristic feature chickenpox is a strong increase in size lymph nodes. After the first week, the temperature returns to normal against the background of parallel drying of the rash, and the patient’s well-being improves. Some people still have severe scabies by this time.

Chickenpox has several degrees of manifestation, and they usually occur in the following three forms:

• Light form. This shape is different elevated temperature up to 37 degrees, general weakness and fatigue. The rashes on the body are quite small, and their duration on the body ranges from one to two days.
• Medium shape. The average severity of chickenpox is characterized by an increase in temperature to 39 degrees; patients often complain of migraines, vomiting, bad dream and complete loss of appetite. The skin rashes are quite large. The rash begins to appear on the mucous membrane, and the duration of the period is about five to six days.
• Severe form. The temperature rises to 40 degrees, and the patient feels significantly worse compared to the two previous stages. A person suffers from a severe headache and dizziness, he vomits, he does not eat anything, and he is delirious. The rash on the body is profuse and very itchy, and lasts from seven to eight days.

Treatment

To date, there are no medications that are aimed directly at treating chickenpox. Drugs are mainly used to combat external manifestations illnesses – rash, skin inflammation, fever. Reception scheme medications depends on the person’s condition and the severity of the disease. Most often, chickenpox is treated at home using readily available drugs that do not have a negative effect on the body.

Chickenpox has a pronounced incubation period, during which a person may not even be aware of the need for treatment. Only after the first signs of the disease appear can you begin symptomatic treatment: both in children and adults. During this period, the patient must be isolated to prevent infection of other people.

After suffering from the disease, the body of a child or adult produces antibodies to chickenpox. They persist throughout a person’s life and protect him from re-infection after contact with the virus.

In most cases, chickenpox does not cause complications, especially in young children. If you start treatment in a timely manner, follow the doctor’s instructions, and use the recommended remedies, the disease goes away quickly enough. In severe cases of chickenpox, a person may be hospitalized in order to use more serious medications and constantly monitor his condition.

How to treat chickenpox in children?

When the first rashes that are characteristic of this disease appear, you must definitely call a doctor at home. You cannot go to the clinic because the child is a carrier of the virus. It can easily infect other babies who do not yet have immunity to the disease.

Chickenpox in children is treated by a regular pediatrician. He examines the baby and prescribes medications that will be most effective in each individual case of illness.

You cannot self-medicate. It is imperative to consult with an experienced doctor who can adequately assess the condition of the baby. If complications occur, hospitalization may be necessary.

Treatment of chickenpox in children is aimed at eliminating characteristic symptoms diseases. Mainly used:

• antiseptics;
• immunostimulants;
• antihistamines;
• antiviral agents;
• antibiotics.

To quickly get rid of rashes and prevent infection from opening sores, you need to know what to apply to the skin to alleviate the child’s condition. It is best to use modern antiseptics, which will kill all bacteria, relieve inflammation, and speed up wound healing.

If you have chickenpox, you should smear the skin as often as possible: every 1-2 hours, which will contribute to a quick recovery.

If there is a high risk of complications, the child needs to take medications that increase the body’s protective functions. Immunostimulants are prescribed only by a doctor. It is strictly forbidden to use these drugs for treatment on your own, since they have a large number of contraindications.

When the disease is severely tolerated by the child’s body, antiviral drugs are prescribed. If the child feels well, there is no fever or it decreases after 2-3 days, taking this group of drugs is not advisable.

Antihistamines are indicated for severe itching that does not decrease after applying antiseptics. Taking such medications can prevent the formation of wounds from constant scratching. small pimples. If a child touches a rash on the skin, he can introduce an infection into the body with dirty hands.

Antibiotics are rarely prescribed for chickenpox. They should be taken if there is a bacterial infection. In other cases, these drugs are useless.

If your baby has a fever, you should take an antipyretic. When high readings on the thermometer appear for several days in a row, you must inform your doctor, who must adjust the treatment regimen.

Features of caring for a sick child

If you don’t know how to relieve itching from chickenpox, use the following recommendations:

• Constantly ventilate the children's room;
• dress your baby in light clothes made from natural fabrics so that he doesn’t get hot;
• play with your child to distract him from severe itching;
• try to change your bed linen frequently.

If you have chickenpox, you must wash yourself. This helps reduce itching and relieve inflammation. You need to take a cool bath daily with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs.

Dear mothers, do not doubt whether it is possible to wash a child with chicken pox. Water treatments will only benefit your baby and speed up recovery.

When treating chickenpox, you need to be careful about your diet. Eliminate from your child's diet:

• spicy seasonings;
• hot dishes;
• solid food;
• allergic products.

Sick children may refuse to eat in the first days. Don't force him to eat. Better offer a warm one Herb tea, compote without sugar or milk. Feed baby's lungs dishes - soups, vegetable and fruit purees, fermented milk products.

Don’t doubt whether you can go outside if you have chickenpox. This virus cannot survive for a long time in open space. If your baby does not have a fever, take him for a 30-45 minute walk in the park, avoiding crowds or playgrounds. But still, in the midst of illness, when new rashes appear, stay at home. This will reduce the risk of infecting other people and will have a positive effect on the baby’s well-being.

Also remember that the child is very contagious, so do not allow him to communicate with healthy people. It will be possible to attend school or kindergarten only after the relevant certificate is issued by the pediatrician. It notes that the baby is completely healthy and is no longer contagious.

Treatment of chickenpox in adults

This virus is difficult for humans to tolerate if it enters their body at an older age. Treatment of chickenpox in adults at home should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.

In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary:

• with strong severe symptoms;
• if complications arise;
• to isolate the patient when there is no other way to do this.

The same drugs are used to treat adults as for children. It is necessary to treat rashes antiseptic solutions or ointments, if necessary, use antihistamines. If your body temperature is above 38°C, use antipyretic drugs.

If there is a high probability of complications, you need to take immunomodulators and antiviral agents.

Chickenpox vaccination

The most effective method of preventing chickenpox is vaccination.

Chickenpox vaccination is indicated:

• children over 2 years old;
• in the presence of chronic diseases that can suppress the immune system;
• before organ transplantation;
• if the person is taking immunosuppressants;
• before radiotherapy.

Children need to be vaccinated against chickenpox once, and adults - twice at intervals of several weeks. It is contraindicated for people with severe immunodeficiency and pregnant women.

The chickenpox vaccine will help protect your baby from the virus for life. The components of the medicine can sometimes provoke the development of the disease, but it will pass in a mild form and without complications.

The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for adults if they have small children. The older a person is, the worse he tolerates the disease. The risk of complications increases significantly. They can be avoided by using the chickenpox vaccine.

Prevention of chickenpox - sanitary rules

To prevent infection of healthy people through contact with sick people, you need to be careful about cleaning the room where a person with chickenpox is located. Every day after 4-5 hours, do wet cleaning. There is no need to use disinfectants. Wash the floor with plain water.

You also need to ventilate the room often, and leave the room for 10-15 minutes.

In hospitals, ultraviolet irradiation of wards is carried out.

To prevent chickenpox in children, it is necessary to introduce quarantine at school or kindergarten if a sick child appears in the group.

Medicines

Anti-chickenpox medications used in medical practice, are used for the following purposes:

• Destruction of the virus (antiviral drugs).
• Elimination of itching (so-called antipruritic drugs).
• Getting rid of general intoxication of the body (fever, weakness, headache).
• Bactericidal drugs(It is immediately necessary to make a reservation that antibiotics for chickenpox are indicated only for the prevention of the infectious process, but not for treatment). These drugs include baneocin, which is used for chickenpox in the form of a powder applied to the affected areas of the skin.

Antiviral drugs for the treatment of chickenpox (chickenpox).

The only drug that adequately affects the destruction of the Varicella Zoster virus is acyclovir.

For chickenpox, this is the most effective, safe and affordable substance, which is one of the best antiviral drugs at herpetic infection.

Acyclovir is a prodrug, a synthetic analogue of the nucleoside deoxythymidine. For acyclovir to become active, a viral enzyme, a kinase, is required, and therefore it is selectively activated only in those cells of the body that are directly damaged by the virus. Then comes the blockade of the viral DNA polymerase, which makes it impossible for the virus to multiply (replicate). It should be noted that topical acyclovir is least effective, especially in recurrent forms of herpetic infection. Therefore, it is better to use oral forms. There are very few side effects of acyclovir, which is due to the low toxicity of the drug. Very rarely there may be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. When administering acyclovir intravenously (slowly), it is necessary to saturate the body with fluid to avoid nephro- and neurotoxicity.

Interferons for chickenpox (chickenpox).

These include Viferon, Anaferon and Cycloferon, which are used in the treatment of chickenpox. Viferon in this case is used per rectum (rectally) 1 suppository 2 times a day, however, in generalized forms the use of the drug is not recommended.

Anaferon is rarely used for chickenpox and is more often used in patients with ARVI and herpes. Available in tablets.

As for cycloferon, it can be prescribed from 4 years of age. complex treatment chickenpox 1 tablet (150 mg) per dose.

Medicines for itching due to chickenpox (chickenpox).

Antipruritic drugs are one of the important components in the treatment of chickenpox. Such medications are antihistamines, as well as poxclean, calamine and calamine lotion.

Calamine for chickenpox is one of the best Israeli drugs used in dermatological practice: it perfectly eliminates itching, relieves scratching from various skin diseases. In addition to the good therapeutic effect, there is one more advantage - the drug does not have any side effects, except for individual and very rare reactions to the components of the drug (either 15% calamine or zinc oxide).

For children under one year old, it is better to use calamine in the form of a lotion for chickenpox, as it quickly eliminates itching and prevents the baby from scratching the itchy blisters. Like calamine, this lotion is applied topically (to a bottle) and is quite effective in relieving itching.

Another remedy for chickenpox is PoxClean, a medical hydrogel with a cooling effect that not only soothes the skin and softens the symptoms of chickenpox, but also effectively relieves itching. PoxClean contains only natural ingredients and does not include toxic products. The drug is used from the age of two. Use PoxClean every time the itching sensation returns, but not more than 25-30 days in a row. The gel is gently and carefully applied to the affected areas of the skin, without rubbing into the affected area. In addition to the antipruritic effect, PoxClean also has an antibacterial effect, which prevents the development of the infectious process in the formed blisters. All these advantages of the drug directly answer the question: “what to apply to chickenpox?”

Due to the fact that chickenpox most often occurs in children in medical practice, in this case, brilliant green is a fairly effective and cheap remedy, which:

• It has a bactericidal (antibacterial) effect - it prevents the spread of infection and destroys bacteria.
• Slightly dries out the rash (in this regard, potassium permanganate is better for chickenpox).
• Reduces local itching.
• Low price and effective effect
• In addition, the doctor is able to visually monitor the appearance of new lesions.

Tsindol for chickenpox can be used at any age (even in pregnant women) due to the fact that it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and does not cause side effects. Zindole is a common zinc oxide that has an antiseptic effect, dries out the elements of the rash and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is used as follows: a thin layer of cindol suspension is applied to clean, dry skin in the affected area. Then leave for 1-1.5 hours and wash off with water. This procedure is repeated after 5 hours.

Fukortsin is ineffective for chickenpox due to the fact that it has a weak antiseptic and pronounced antifungal effect, so its use in chickenpox is not justified.

Antihistamines for chickenpox are used for severe and severe itching. These drugs include Fenistil, Suprastin, Zyrtec and Zodak.

All these drugs have no direct differences and are used as a means to relieve itching and combat allergic reactions. Fenistil for chickenpox should not be taken by children under 1-2 months of age; as a rule, it is added to a bottle with a nutritional mixture just before feeding. Suprastin for chickenpox is prescribed 1 tablet 3 times a day for adults and a quarter of a tablet for children under one year of age (6.5 mg). Zyrtec (like Zortec) has a large number of contraindications and can be used in the form of tablets and drops. Drops are prescribed to patients under 6 years of age, tablets - from 6 years of age and older.

It should be noted that the use of any of the medications should be discussed with the treating doctor and you should not self-medicate.

Folk remedies

As the disease progresses, the gradually appearing rash develops into a more serious form - blisters appear in place of the red spots. And it is during this period that a number of tips and recipes for traditional medicine treatment come to the rescue.

Folk remedies for chickenpox

• The most popular recipe is chamomile infusion. In order for the irritation to go away as quickly and less noticeably as possible, you need to take a daily bath with chamomile decoction: in this case, the mixture of herbs and flowers of the plant is poured with boiling water and infused for several hours. Once the broth has cooled, it can be strained into a separate container. For greater results, you can brew a bag of sage together with chamomile, because This plant, like chamomile, helps reduce irritation.
• To reduce itching ethnoscience recommends taking baths with bergamot oil. After all, it is an ideal natural antiseptic and antipyretic in one bottle. However, you should not abuse its quantity.
• The old ancestral method, when vodka, water and vinegar are combined in certain proportions, will be no less effective. Mixing these three ingredients not only reduces fever, but also temporarily relieves irritation and dries out chickenpox blisters. Thus, the disease will proceed with less serious consequences.
• Cool water in which a small amount has previously been dissolved baking soda, will allow the patient to feel itching less acutely. After all, “scratching” with such a disease is strictly prohibited: not only will burst blisters remain on the body forever as a small reminder in the form of scars, but it can also cause infection. But even without that, the body experiences malaise caused by type 3 herpesvirus.
• No less useful advice Another recipe from our grandmothers should be considered - a decoction of yarrow and chamomile flowers. As mentioned earlier, chamomile decoction helps relieve irritation and itching, and together chamomile and yarrow will cope with this task much faster, while providing a longer-lasting effect. When making a decoction, a mixture of chamomile and yarrow is brewed, then allowed to cool and filtered. One portion of the decoction is used for one bath, but you should not prepare it in advance, because it gradually loses its healing properties, and literally the next day the value of such a drug will be minimal.

Thus, by following the simple tips provided, you can avoid the unpleasant consequences of the disease and significantly save on medications; however, the use of such prescriptions must be agreed upon with your doctor.

The information is for reference only and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.