Symptoms: how does it start and what does it look like in children? Chickenpox in children - routes of infection, incubation period, symptoms, treatment methods and prevention Chickenpox initial symptoms

What is chickenpox and how does it manifest? What is its scientific name? This is an infectious disease with high contagiousness. It mainly occurs in children, but can also affect adults without adequate immunity. How dangerous is chickenpox and how should it be treated?

Routes of infection

Where does chickenpox come from and what causes it? This disease is caused by the chickenpox virus, or Varicella Zoster. It belongs to the herpesvirus family. The causative agent of the disease is quite unstable when normal conditions external environment. Despite this, chickenpox is usually transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person. by airborne droplets. You can get infected with it with almost 100% probability.

How to get chickenpox? It’s very simple - just be in the same room with a sick person, because the virus is transmitted directly during contact with the patient. Chickenpox is rarely contracted through household items or third parties.

To destroy the virus in the room, increase the humidity, open windows to create drafts, or produce UV irradiation.

At what age do people most often get chickenpox? Children of preschool and junior age are more susceptible to chickenpox school age 2-10 years. The disease rarely occurs in newborns and infants in the first months of life. It's connected with innate immunity from chickenpox, which is transmitted to them from their mother.

Features of the course of the disease

The course of chickenpox can be divided into several periods, each of which is characterized by special manifestations:

Classification of the disease by severity

Depending on the severity, the following types of infection are distinguished:

A mild form of chickenpox is accompanied by minor rashes. In this case, the body temperature does not exceed 37-37.5 degrees. Chickenpox in mild form does not lead to a significant deterioration in well-being.
Moderate severity - body temperature rises to 39 degrees and lasts about seven days, numerous rashes are observed. This form of chickenpox is most common among children.
Severe form - characterized by life-threatening manifestations of chickenpox. First of all, the high temperature (about 39 degrees) lasts about 10 days; the rash affects not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes. In severe cases of chickenpox, the appearance of symptoms of intoxication of the body is also observed - body aches, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite.

Classification of the disease according to its course

What types of chickenpox are there? It is customary to distinguish the following varieties:

Typical chickenpox - most often found in children.
Erased form. Body temperature can always remain normal, and rashes practically do not appear.
Bullous form. Such atypical chickenpox most often occurs in children under two years of age. The disease begins normally, but after some time the rash turns into bullae. These are thin-walled blisters filled with a yellowish liquid. They reach sizes of 1-2 cm, so they take much longer to heal.
Hemorrhagic form. It is distinguished by the presence of hemorrhages due to damage to small vessels. Almost all rashes are filled with bloody contents. This represents potential danger for humans and can cause intense bleeding.
Gangrenous form. Such purulent chickenpox is accompanied by necrotic processes that affect skin covering. After the end of the short incubation period, the patient experiences a sharp increase in body temperature and signs of intoxication appear. This type of chickenpox mainly develops in people with low immunity.
Generalized form. Accompanied not only skin rashes, but also damage to many internal organs. This disease is very often fatal.

What are the first signs that indicate that the rash that appears is chickenpox? You should pay attention to the following distinctive features:

First, the patient discovers red spots on the body with a diameter of 0.5-1 cm. The first ones are on the head, neck, the next ones are on any part of the body.
Subsequently, a papule forms in place of the red spot. This is a formation that has a small nodule in the central part.
After a few hours, the papules transform into vesicles. They are small thin-walled bubbles that are filled with liquid. At mechanical impact they burst easily.
If you neglect the rules of treatment and scratch the rash, pustules will form in its place. These are suppurating vesicles. After healing, scars remain in their place.
After a few days, the vesicles dry out and dense crusts form. The average time after which they disappear is 3 weeks.

With chickenpox, the rash appears in waves; up to 3 stages of development of the acute period of the disease can be observed.

Possible complications

Chicken pox usually does not pose a danger to children, but sometimes it can be accompanied by the following complications:

Damage to the respiratory system - pneumonia, tracheitis or laryngitis.
Disruption of the functioning of organs that are responsible for detoxifying the body (kidneys, liver). The development of nephritis, hepatitis, abscesses is possible.
Malfunction nervous system. Chickenpox, under certain conditions, can provoke meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis.
Damage to the heart muscle and blood vessels, which is accompanied by the development of myocarditis and thrombophlebitis.
The development of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, which include arthritis, fasciitis.

Treatment

What to do if chickenpox develops, how should it be treated at home? It is recommended to follow these rules:

Antiviral agents should be used as prescribed by a doctor. Acyclovir and its analogues are most often used in ointment form. In cases of complications, it is recommended internal reception antiviral drugs.
If there is a high temperature, antipyretics are given. Children are recommended to take Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or drugs based on them.
If there is severe itching, antihistamines are prescribed.. They can be in the form of tablets (Suprastin, Edem) or ointments (Fenistil). How many days should I apply chickenpox to relieve itching? Usually a few days (maximum - a week) are enough.
If a child becomes irritable due to severe itching or cannot sleep peacefully, he is prescribed light sedatives (tincture of valerian, decoction of lemon balm or mint).
How to cauterize chickenpox so that the resulting rashes do not become inflamed? To do this, use brilliant green, Fukortsin, potassium permanganate, Zinc ointment, Calamine. They have a cauterizing effect and destroy pathogenic microflora.
In case of severe chickenpox, the child is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs. They will help the patient’s body overcome the disease and prevent the development of complications.

Drugs for the treatment of chickenpox in a child or adult are prescribed only by a doctor based on the existing clinical picture. Self-medication can lead to complications: re-infection, scarring, damage to mucous membranes and internal organs.

Chickenpox, or varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by primary infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The disease is associated with a characteristic skin rash, which forms small, itchy blisters that eventually heal. The rash usually starts on the chest, back and face and then spreads to the rest of the body. Other symptoms may include fever, feeling tired and headaches. The duration of symptoms is usually five to ten days. Complications can sometimes include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain, or bacterial skin infections, among others. The disease is often more severe in adults than in children. Symptoms begin ten to twenty-one days after exposure to the virus.

Chickenpox is an airborne disease that is easily spread by coughing and sneezing. infected person. It can begin to spread 1-2 days before the rash appears and remains contagious until all the lesions have crusted over. Chickenpox can also spread through contact with blisters. People with shingles can spread chickenpox to people who are not immune to it through contact with the blisters. The disease can usually be diagnosed based on symptoms; however, in exceptional cases diagnosis can be confirmed using polymerase testing chain reaction(PCR) of blister fluid or scabs. Antibody testing may be done to determine whether a person is immune. People usually get chickenpox only once in their lives. The chickenpox vaccine has led to a reduction in the number of cases and complications from the disease. The vaccine protects about 70 to 90 percent of people from the disease, especially severe disease. Routine immunization of children is recommended in many countries. Immunization within three days of exposure may improve outcomes in children. Treatment for infected patients may include the use of calamine lotion to combat itching. It is recommended to trim your nails to reduce scratch injuries, and to use paracetamol (acetaminophen) to combat fever. For individuals at increased risk of complications, antiviral drugs such as acyclovir are recommended. Chickenpox occurs in all parts of the world. As of 2013, there were 140 million cases of chickenpox and herpes zoster. Before routine immunization, the number of cases each year was close to the number born people. Since the beginning of immunization, the number of infections in the United States has decreased by almost 90%. In 2013, windmills caused 7,000 deaths worldwide, up from 8,900 in 1990. Death occurs in approximately 1 in 60,000 cases. Chickenpox was not separated from smallpox until the end of the 19th century. In 1888, its connection with herpes zoster was determined. The first recorded use of the term "chickenpox" dates back to 1658.

Signs and symptoms

Early (prodromal) symptoms in adolescents and adults are nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain and headache. This is accompanied by a characteristic rash or ulcers in the mouth, malaise and slight fever, signaling the presence of a disease. Oral manifestations of the disease (enanthema) often precede unusual external rash(exanthema). In children, the disease is usually not preceded by prodromal symptoms, and the first sign is a rash or spots in the oral cavity. The rash begins as small red dots on the face, scalp, torso, upper arms and legs; progresses over 10-12 hours to small pimples, blisters and pustules; followed by retraction in the form of a navel and the formation of scabs. During the blister stage, there is usually severe itching. Blisters may also be observed on the palms, soles and genital area. Typically, visible evidence of the disease develops in the mouth and tonsil area in the form of small ulcers that may be painful and/or itchy; this enanthema ( internal rash) may precede exanthema (external rash) and develop 1-3 days earlier or may be simultaneously with it. These chickenpox symptoms appear 10 to 21 days after exposure to an infectious person. Adults may have a more widespread rash and fever for longer, and are more likely to experience complications such as chickenpox pneumonia. Because the watery discharge nasal infections containing live virus typically precede ecanthema (external rash) and enanthema (oral ulcers) by 1-2 days, the infected person actually becomes infectious 1-2 days before the disease is recognized. Infectivity remains until all the vesicles become dry crusts (scabs), which usually lasts four or five days, during which time the release of live virus from the nose stops. The illness usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. The rash, however, can last up to one month, although the infectious stage does not last longer than a week or two. Chickenpox is rarely fatal, although it is usually more severe in adult men than in women or children. Non-immune pregnant women and those with suppressed immune systems are at highest risk of serious complications. Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) associated with chickenpox in the previous year is associated with almost a third of AIS in childhood. The most common late complication Chickenpox is shingles (herpes zoster) caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus decades after the initial onset of chickenpox, often in childhood.

Pregnancy and newborns

During pregnancy, the risk to the fetus associated with primary varicella-zoster virus infection is greater in the first six months. In the third trimester, development serious symptoms more likely in the mother. In pregnant women, antibodies produced as a result of immunization or previous infection are passed through the placenta to the fetus. Women who are immune to chickenpox cannot become infected and do not have to worry about it for themselves or their baby during pregnancy. Chickenpox infection in pregnant women can lead to spread through the placenta and infection of the fetus. If infection occurs during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, it can lead to fetal varicella syndrome (also known as congenital varicella syndrome). Effects on the fetus can range in severity from underdeveloped fingers and toes to severe malformations anus And Bladder. Possible problems include:

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of chickenpox is based primarily on signs and symptoms, with typical early symptoms a characteristic rash follows. Confirmation of the diagnosis is made by examining the fluid in the rash blisters, or by testing the blood for the presence of an acute immune response. Vesicular fluid can be examined using a Tzanck test or direct immunofluorescence test. The liquid can also be “cultured,” that is, an attempt can be made to grow the virus from a sample of the liquid. Blood tests can be used to identify the response to acute infection(IgM) or previous infection and subsequent immunity (IgG). Prenatal diagnosis intrauterine infection varicella can be performed using ultrasound, although a delay of 5 weeks after the initial maternal infection is recommended. PCR test (DNA) amniotic fluid The mother may also have it performed, although the risk of miscarriage associated with the amniocentesis procedure is higher than the risk of the baby developing varicella syndrome.

Pathophysiology

The impact of varicella-zoster virus on healthy child initiates the production of antibodies immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin A (IgA); IgG antibodies persist throughout life and provide immunity. Immune reactions cell-mediated also play important role in limiting the extent and duration of primary varicella infection. Following primary infection, varicella-zoster virus is hypothesized to spread from mucosal and epidermal lesions to local sensory nerves. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in this case remains hidden in the dorsal spinal root ganglia of the sensory nerves. Reactivation of VZV results in clinically defined herpes zoster syndrome (eg, herpes zoster), postherpetic neuralgia, and sometimes Ramsay Hunt syndrome type II. Varicella zoster can attack arteries in the neck and head, producing a stroke, either during childhood or after a latent period many years later.

Herpes zoster

After chickenpox infection, the virus remains latent in the body's nerve tissues. The immune system keeps the virus at bay, but later in life, usually in an adult, the virus can reactivate and cause another form viral infection called shingles (also known as herpes zoster). The United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) suggests that every adult over the age of 60 receive the shingles vaccine. Herpes zoster affects one in five adults infected with chickenpox as children, especially people with a suppressed immune system, such as as a result of cancer, HIV or other diseases. Stress may also cause shingles, however, scientists are still investigating this connection. Shingles most often occurs in adults over the age of 60 who were diagnosed with chickenpox before the age of one.

Prevention

Hygiene

The spread of chickenpox can be prevented by isolating affected individuals. Infection occurs through the air or through direct contact with lesions, during a period ranging from three days before the rash appears to four days after the rash appears. The varicella zoster virus is sensitive to disinfectants, particularly chlorine bleach (i.e., sodium hypochlorite). Like all enveloped viruses, it is sensitive to drying, heat and detergents.

Vaccine

The chickenpox vaccine is recommended in many countries. Some countries require vaccination against chickenpox before admission. primary school. A second dose is recommended five years after the initial immunization. If infected, a vaccinated person will likely experience a more mild case of chickenpox. Immunization within three days of exposure may improve outcomes in children. Immunization against chickenpox is part of routine vaccination in the United States. Some European countries include varicella vaccination as part of universal childhood vaccination, but not all countries provide the vaccine due to cost. In the UK, as of 2014, the vaccine is only recommended for people particularly vulnerable to chickenpox. It's important to support good hygiene and clean the skin daily with warm water to avoid secondary bacterial infection. Scratches may also increase the risk of secondary infection. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), but not aspirin, can be used to reduce fever. Using aspirin for chickenpox can lead to a serious, sometimes fatal, liver and brain disease called Reye's syndrome. People at risk of developing severe complications who have had significant exposure to the virus may be given varicella-zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG), a drug that contains high titers of antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. Antiviral agents are sometimes used.

Children

Aciclovir started within 24 hours of the onset of the rash reduces symptoms by one day but has no effect on the incidence of complications. The use of acyclovir is therefore not currently recommended for people with normal immune function. Children under 12 years of age and older than one month should not take antiviral drugs unless they have another medical condition that puts them at risk of developing complications. Treatment of chickenpox in children focuses on symptoms, while the immune system dealing with a virus. With children under 12 years of age, cutting their nails and keeping them clean is an important part of treatment, as they are more likely to scratch the blisters more deeply than adults. Aspirin is contraindicated in children under 16 years of age because it has been associated with Reye's syndrome.

Adults

In healthy adults, the infection is usually more severe. Treatment with antiviral drugs (such as acyclovir or valacyclovir) is usually recommended if started within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the rash. Remedies for relieving chickenpox symptoms in adults are generally the same as those for children. Antiviral drugs are more often prescribed to adults because they are effective in reducing the severity of the disease and the likelihood of complications. Antiviral drugs do not kill the virus, but stop its reproduction. Adults are advised to increase their water intake to reduce dehydration and relieve headache. Painkillers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) are recommended as they are effective in relieving itching and other symptoms such as fever or pain. Antihistamines relieve itching and can be used in cases where itching interferes with sleep because they also act as a sedative. Just like children antiviral treatment considered more beneficial for those adults who are more prone to developing complications. These include pregnant women or people who have a weakened immune system. Sorivudine, a nucleoside analogue, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of primary varicella in healthy adults (known only from case reports), but large-scale clinical trials are needed to demonstrate its effectiveness. After recovering from chickenpox, doctors recommend that adults be given one injection of VZV immune globulin and one injection of varicella vaccine or herpes zoster vaccine.

Forecast

The duration of visible blisters caused by the varicella zoster virus varies in children, usually ranging from 4 to 7 days, and the appearance of new blisters begins to subside after the fifth day. The infection is milder in young children, and symptomatic treatment, using a sodium bicarbonate bath or antihistamine, may relieve itching. It is recommended that infants from birth to 6 months of age be kept away from an infected person for 10 to 21 days because their immune systems are not developed enough to cope with stress. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used to reduce fever. Aspirin, or products containing aspirin, should not be given to children with chickenpox as it may cause Reye's syndrome. In adults, the disease is more severe, although the incidence is much less common. Infection in adults is associated with greater morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia (either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia), bronchitis (viral bronchitis or secondary bacterial bronchitis), hepatitis and encephalitis. In particular, up to 10% of pregnant women with chickenpox develop pneumonia, which increases in severity late in pregnancy. In England and Wales, 75% of deaths from chickenpox occur in adulthood. Inflammation of the brain, or encephalitis, can occur in frail individuals, although the risk is higher with herpes zoster. Necrotizing fasciitis is another rare complication. Chickenpox may be fatal disease for adults with weakened immune systems. The number of people in this high-risk group has increased due to the HIV epidemic and the increased use of immunosuppressive therapy. Chickenpox is a particular problem in hospitals when patients' immune systems are weakened by the use of drugs (eg, high doses steroids) or HIV infection. Secondary bacterial infection of skin lesions, manifesting as impetigo, cellulitis and erysipelas, is the most a common complication at healthy children. Disseminated primary varicella infection, usually seen in immunodeficiency, may have high percent mortality. Ninety percent of cases of chickenpox pneumonia occur among adults. Rare complications of disseminated chickenpox include myocarditis, hepatitis, and glomerulonephritis. Hemorrhagic complications are more common in immunocompromised or immunocompromised individuals, although they can also affect healthy children and adults. Five main clinical syndromes: febrile purpura, malignant chickenpox with purpura, postinfectious purpura, purpura fulminans and anaphylactoid purpura. These syndromes have varying durations, with febrile purpura being the most favorable of the syndromes and having an uncomplicated outcome. In contrast, malignant varicella with purpura is a serious clinical condition that has a mortality rate above 70%. The cause of these hemorrhagic chickenpox syndromes is not known.

Epidemiology

Primary chickenpox occurs in all countries of the world. The disease caused 7,000 deaths in 2013, up from 8,900 in 1990. In temperate climates, chickenpox is primarily a disease of childhood, with most cases occurring in the winter and spring, most likely due to spread of the disease in schools. Chickenpox is one of the classic childhood diseases, with the most high level prevalence in the age group 4-10 years. Like rubella, this disease is rare among children preschool age. Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease, with an incidence rate of 90% in close contacts. In temperate countries, most people become infected before adulthood, and 10% of young people remain susceptible. In the tropics, chickenpox often occurs in older people and can lead to more serious illness. In adults, the pock marks are darker and the scars are more visible than in children. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require health departments to report chickenpox infections, and only 31 states currently voluntarily report this information. However, in a 2013 study using a disease surveillance tool using social networks called Sickweather, individual chickenpox posts on Facebook and Twitter were used to measure and rank states with the largest number infections per capita, with Maryland, Tennessee and Illinois in the top three.

Society and culture

Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterized by the appearance of watery blisters. It is caused by the herpes virus. The disease is contagious and is transmitted by airborne droplets.

Most people develop chickenpox between the ages of 3 and 12 years. At an older age, chickenpox is very difficult to tolerate: body temperature is acute period illness 39 degrees and above, there is a high risk of complications. For this reason, many parents deliberately bring their children into the company of people with chickenpox in order to protect the child from possible complications at an older age.

As a rule, infection occurs only within 2 days before the bubbles appear, as well as within the first 5 days from the onset of the rash. On average, a child's chickenpox quarantine lasts about 20 days.

Why is it important not to miss the onset of the disease?

Stages of rash development

If you are sure that your child has been in contact with someone with chickenpox, be on alert, as the child’s infection is inevitable. The incubation period ranges from 11 to 25 days.

Most often, about two weeks pass before the first signs of the disease begin to appear.

During this period of time there are no changes in well-being, there are no symptoms. If possible, keep your child away from public places. If there is a child under one year of age in the home, contact with the sick person should be avoided if possible.

Children under one year of age suffer the disease with difficulty; serious complications may develop, in which they suffer vital important organs. For this reason, it is very important to know the first signs of chickenpox in a child.

As soon as the symptoms of chickenpox become apparent, provide the sick person with separate dishes, as well as bedding and personal hygiene products. Many doctors believe that there is no need to isolate the patient from other children. Children at a younger age tolerate the disease much easier.

The ideal time for chickenpox is considered to be between 3 and 6 years of age. Fortunately, after having chickenpox, the risk re-development disease is excluded, since the body develops a strong immunity to this infection.

The first signs of chickenpox in children

The first symptoms of the disease are often confused with ordinary acute respiratory disease, and the appearance of spots and blisters is associated with an allergic reaction (urticaria).

Visual change in chickenpox rash

To recognize chickenpox on time, every parent should know how the rash begins, as well as characteristics diseases:

Period of the disease	Characteristic
First day	The child complains of general malaise: weakness, drowsiness, aching joints. The child refuses food and is constantly naughty. No other signs are observed.
The rash appears on average 2 days after the onset of the disease	When a rash appears, parents wonder where chickenpox starts? In fact, the course of the disease is individual. In most cases, small pinkish dots appear on the child’s face or head, which rapidly change in size and spread throughout the body. The rash can start on the legs and arms, especially in a child. This happens quite rarely, but this feature cannot be ruled out. In the photo below you can see various localizations rash:
A day later	The rash spreads throughout the body, the spots become like a drop of water. Usually during this period the child is worried about high body temperature and severe itching.
Next few days	Over the course of several days, the blisters continue to spread throughout the body. After 3-4 days, the liquid in the bubbles begins to darken and the bubbles burst.
	The liquid then flows out and gradually dries out. A small crust forms at the site of the bubble, which cannot be torn off on your own. After a few more days, the crusts fall off on their own and do not leave a trace on the skin.

Chickenpox in children lasts approximately 20 days. It is very important that the child does not scratch the blisters. If the membrane is broken, there is a high risk of infection entering the wound. In this case, a scar remains on the skin that remains for life.

In general, the course of the disease is at different ages there is practically no difference. The only difference is the duration of chickenpox.

Young children experience the disease much faster than teenagers.
Children over 12 years old can get chickenpox severe form. In addition to rashes with fever, the child may be bothered by nausea and vomiting.

How does chickenpox begin in children: photo

Initially, the rash is easily confused with an allergy.

Photo: First signs of a rash

In the photographs below you will see how chickenpox begins in children and how the disease develops.

Author: Rachael Jess

Komarovsky about how chickenpox begins

Doctor Komarovsky believes that every child should have chickenpox before the age of 12, so as not to torment him at an older age. During this period of time, the disease is tolerated without complications in a milder form.

Komarovsky claims that the appearance of watery blisters on the body is not always chickenpox. In some cases it manifests itself this way allergic reaction. The main indicator is an increase in body temperature, which can rise to 39 degrees.

In some cases, the temperature fluctuates at subfebral levels (37.0-37.4).

What to do at the first signs of chickenpox in a child?
Komarovsky recommends contacting your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. He also believes that treatment should be prescribed by a doctor; self-medication with brilliant green is not the best the best option for children, because today there are many medications that will alleviate the suffering of the patient.

Parents' experience

Based on reviews from mothers, we can conclude that the first signs of incipient chickenpox are blistering rashes on the body. Body temperature rises only 3-4 days after the rash.

But the opinions of parents differ, as some argue that the development of chickenpox began precisely with an elevated body temperature. 90% of mothers noted that the rashes began on the face and scalp.

Of particular interest are parents whose children have interacted with a child who has been diagnosed with chickenpox. Such information is also important in situations where kindergarten or the school has been declared quarantine due to chickenpox. How to recognize on early stage this infection 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 the video, which clearly demonstrates the rash on initial stage chickenpox in children:

Period of rash

The rash begins to appear on the first or second day clinical symptoms 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 baby light a 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 epidermis in papules peels off and accumulates inside clear liquid- this is how single-chamber vesicles arise. 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 varicella is a herpetic-type viral disease that affects people once in a lifetime. The name of the disease is associated with two factors that are characteristic of it:

Chickenpox is easily transmitted, as if by the wind. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, and the virus can be caught at a distance of 50 (!) m from the patient. If one sick child appears in a group, then not only all other children can get sick, but also those who communicate with representatives of this team in other places. Therefore, chickenpox is a traditional childhood infection, which affects 98% of children.
The term “smallpox” came into use due to the similarity of the consequences of two diseases, black pox and chickenpox. Traces of diseases look like scars on the skin in the form of depressions and pits. With chickenpox, they form occasionally if the rashes have been scratched or become infected with a bacterial infection. If there were no scratched wounds, chicken pox does not leave scars. But the usual one or black pox almost always leaves behind pitted scars.

The causative agent of chickenpox

The causative agent is a virus. This is the third type of herpes virus, called Zoster. Like other types of herpes viruses, Zoster enters the body once and remains in it for life. It is stored in the ganglia spinal cord in a dormant state, where its reproduction is limited by immune bodies. With a strong decrease in immunity, Zoster can be activated, but in the form of another disease - herpes zoster.

During primary infection, a person develops the well-known chickenpox. If the relapse is reactivated, the disease may manifest itself in the form of herpes zoster (herpes). As a rule, relapse or activation of the virus occurs when sharp decline immunity, often appear in older people.

Note: Traditionally, people only get chickenpox once. After which the person develops lifelong immunity to this virus. However, over the past decade, cases of recurrent infection have become more frequent. This is due to low immunity and an incorrectly selected age-specific vaccination program.

How dangerous is the disease?

Childhood chickenpox is an almost always harmless disease that occurs without dangerous or severe consequences. It goes away within 7-10 days without special treatment. Only needed antiseptic treatment skin to prevent scratching of rashes and bacterial infections.

Children of kindergarten and primary school age (grades 1-2) get chickenpox very easily. The disease is more difficult in adolescents and young adults if they are “unlucky” and did not get sick in childhood. Catching the virus at the age of 12, 16 or 18 years leads to a high fever, an extensive rash that lasts a long time and is very itchy.

Occasionally, adults (who did not have it in childhood) get this disease. In this case, chickenpox is extremely severe, with possible complications and deaths. Hence the conclusion: due to the ease of infection in childhood, it is better to get over it at 5-6 years old and gain immunity for life. No vaccine can replace a lasting lifelong effect.

In some cases, the disease may proceed without rashes. Chickenpox without a rash is one of the mildest forms of the disease, which is most often observed in unvaccinated breast-fed infants. This course of the disease risks the fact that the child may not develop stable immunity. After a few years, he may get sick again, in a more noticeable form, with a rash and fever.

Symptoms of chickenpox in children

Chickenpox is a viral infection, so its first signs are traditional for anyone. viral disease. First stage diseases - latent or incubating. At this time, the virus multiplies and invades cells, but does not manifest itself in the form of fever or rashes. The incubation period for chickenpox lasts 21 days, after which a clear period of illness begins, with fever and rash.

The initial stage of chickenpox is accompanied by fever, headache, general malaise, difficulty breathing, a coated tongue, as well as aching, a painful reaction of the eyes to light. Therefore, the first manifestation of the disease can be confused with ordinary flu or acute respiratory infections. Further, as the virus develops, specific signs– rashes.

The first signs of chickenpox, which clearly indicate a herpes virus, are a blistering rash that spreads from the head and upper body. The rashes are distinguished by the presence of bubbles with liquid, which after a while burst to form wounds. After some time, the wounds heal.

If the wound takes a long time to heal, then a small spot will remain. Such spots in children can persist from several months to several years, after which they disappear with gradual renewal of the skin.

Let's consider the features of the manifestation of various painful symptoms with chickenpox.

Temperature with chickenpox

The rise in temperature during chickenpox can be different. Slight +37.3°C, and very high, up to +42°C. The temperature rises very high in adults. A slight rise in temperature can be observed in children, especially in breastfed babies.

Note: in the absence of fever and a small (2-3 pimples) number of rashes, chickenpox in children under one year of age may go unnoticed.

Chickenpox in infants occurs in a severe form if the child’s immunity is depressed. This condition is possible within 2-3 weeks after vaccination, after suffering from inflammation, or specific manipulations (blood transfusion, antibiotic treatment).

The rise in temperature is also small in preschoolers who rarely get colds. These facts indicate that body temperature during a viral (chickenpox) infection is determined by the human immune system. The more active the body’s defenses are, the less its rise.

Chickenpox rash

The main defining sign of chickenpox is the characteristic chickenpox or herpetic rash. Small pink pimples and blisters with liquid exudate are typical signs herpetic infection. The type of chickenpox herpetic rash varies depending on the period of the disease:

Initially, small pink dotted pimples appear, which can be confused with an allergic rash.
After a day, pimples turn into so-called vesicles - they have bubbles with liquid contents. Initially, the contents of the vesicle are transparent. After a day, it becomes cloudy and bursts. In this case, the bursting of vesicles is accompanied by severe itching.
The cloudy liquid inside the bubbles is filled with many viral particles. After the vesicle bursts, they are able to go out and spread into the surrounding space. This is how the virus spreads and infects surrounding people. At this stage, the itching intensifies and sometimes becomes unbearable. It is a tool for spreading viruses. When constantly scratching a wound, viruses get onto your hands, and from them they easily spread around.
Bubbles that burst turn into wounds and become covered with a crust. Under the crust they dry out within 6-8 days. After which the crust disappears, leaving no traces.
The rashes continue in waves. When the first pimples have already burst, the next ones may still appear. Thus, within 4-5 days, a new rash appears on the human body every day. In order to distinguish new pimples from old ones, all existing rashes are smeared with fucorcin, iodine or brilliant green. Then the new rash will be clearly visible - it will not be painted over. Such manipulations make it possible to determine the end of the disease. After the last pimple appears, 5 days later the child can attend the children's group.

Scratching pimples with chickenpox is fraught with bacterial infection, sore wounds, and traces of scars.

If chickenpox scars remain, they look like pinpoint depressions that remain on the child’s skin for several years. To prevent this from happening, in case of severe itching, use special antipruritic agents. Or they often cauterize the rash sites alcohol solution greens, iodine.

Duration of the disease

How many children get chickenpox also depends on the person’s immunity. The duration of a viral infection is determined by the speed of the immune response. When an infection first enters, the body develops a program to combat it. This may take from one to several days. Afterwards, the synthesis of the necessary antibodies is launched, which will control the spread of the virus. Which can also take from several hours to several days. After the appearance of antibodies, the virus is limited in reproduction. Therefore, the number of new rashes is reduced less. After a few more days, the rash stops appearing completely.

Chickenpox in a child lasts until the body is completely under control herpetic virus. This can range from 2 to 14 days.

Treatment of chickenpox in children and adults

Chickenpox is one of those diseases that in most cases does not require any treatment. The body copes with the virus on its own; you just need to create conditions for it to recover. In order to speed up the immune response, the child (or adult) is given the following:

Drink plenty of water, compote, herbal tea(optional and optional).
Freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices (to support immunity).
Detoxifying agents – pharmaceutical charcoal, smecta, natural clay. Accelerated elimination of toxins makes work easier protective forces, speeds up treatment. Perhaps detoxifiers are the only group of drugs that can be used for any viral infections.

Note: the famous doctor Komarovsky warns against treatment with aspirin. He says that it is with chickenpox that bringing down the temperature with this remedy can cause complications on the liver.

The measures listed above will help the child recover. They are not enough if an adult gets sick. How to treat chickenpox if the disease has become severe?

How to treat chickenpox in an adult

In adults, the course of chickenpox is often complicated by long periods of time, high temperature(at 40°C), which lasts 7-10 days, as well as nausea and vomiting. In adults, the disease can be complicated by inflammation of the cornea, otitis media, and pneumonia.

Vomiting with chickenpox is explained by severe intoxication of the body. At large quantities toxins in the blood and digestive tract vomiting reflex occurs as an automatic reaction aimed at eliminating toxins.

In this case, measures are needed that reduce intoxication from infection and reduce the frequency and severity of vomiting. Therefore, for chickenpox in adults, detoxifiers must be prescribed.

Due to the severity of the infection, when treating adults, specific antiviral agent acyclovir, general immune stimulants (interferons, immunoglobulin). Rashes in adults are accompanied by severe itching, to relieve and relieve which antiallergic drugs are used - suprastin, diazolin, fenistil.

How to relieve itching in children with chickenpox

Chickenpox itches - this is known to the parent of every child who has been ill. And the more you scratch the chickenpox pimples, the more painful the sensations become. Scratching does not relieve the itching; it intensifies and becomes painful.

Itching also worsens with sweating. Therefore, if a child has chickenpox, you should not wrap them. For the same reason, contrary to popular belief, it can be bathed in water with an antiseptic solution added to the water.

Is it possible to wash a child with chickenpox?

The opinions of pediatricians in the post-Soviet space regarding bathing with chickenpox are categorical - no. The ban on bathing is explained by the possibility of additional spread of infection during bathing, showering healthy skin. However, the body is already infected. But it is possible to alleviate the condition of a sick child or adult with a warm bath.

When swimming, a concentrated antiseptic substance is added to the water to disinfect the rash. Use potassium permanganate (better known as potassium permanganate), an infusion of antiseptic herbs or a salt solution. After bathing, do not wipe; you must pat your skin dry with a towel or sheet.

How to apply chickenpox in children

External antiseptic treatment is necessary to disinfect wounds and prevent bacterial infections. Therefore, greenery for chickenpox - traditional remedy treatment. Also, treatment with a colored antiseptic (red fucorcin, brilliant green) allows you to determine the number of daily rashes (a new rash is not covered with pharmaceutical “paint”). Why is this necessary?

Recovery is judged by the number of new pimples. As soon as the body takes control of the virus, fewer new rashes appear, and after a few days there will be no new rash at all.

Is it possible to walk if you have chickenpox?

Fresh air and walks speed up recovery. With a viral infection, an increase in inspired oxygen by fresh air enhances the body's immune response. Therefore, walking when you have chickenpox is not only possible, but also useful.

We have already said that the disease is very mild in childhood and very difficult in adulthood. However, the chickenpox vaccine does not provide lasting immunity to children. From the point of view of future health, it is better to get chickenpox at a younger age. This means there is no need to hide a sick child or prevent him from contacting other children.

The vaccine has a dubious effect. In addition, it does not create lifelong immunity. Thus, after vaccination in childhood, a person can become ill in adulthood, when this disease is very difficult to tolerate.