Chickenpox is a very common disease. Most often, children of preschool and primary school age suffer from it. In most cases, the disease is not dangerous, as small patients tolerate it easily. However, many parents are interested in information about what stages chickenpox has, how they manifest themselves, what methods of therapy and prevention of this disease exist.
Our article offers information on how this disease is spread. We will also consider the question of what symptoms you should pay attention to at various stages of chickenpox in children. Although this disease is not considered particularly life-threatening, it can lead to some complications. It is important to know what effective methods of treating chickenpox are. If the treatment is carried out correctly, this ailment disappears without a trace.
What is chicken pox
It should be said that this is how the disease is called by the people. Histhe medical name is chicken pox. This is a disease of a viral nature, which is accompanied by the appearance of a skin rash and symptoms of general intoxication of the body. This disease belongs to the group of childhood infections, since in most cases the virus affects children of preschool and primary school age. The human body is extremely sensitive to the causative agent of chickenpox.
Transmission routes
Let's repeat that chickenpox is a viral disease, the causative agent of which is the so-called herpes zoster. This is a DNA-containing virus that is very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and environmental influences (spread of infection by household means is almost impossible).
The source of the pathogen is a sick person who becomes contagious 1-2 days before the onset of the first symptoms and remains so until the rash has completely disappeared. The virus spreads very quickly through the air, passing from the carrier to a he althy person. Most often, children become victims of infection, although they tolerate the disease much more easily than adults. The gateway for infection is the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
Chickenpox stages in children: photos and general information
Many parents wonder what signs to look out for. What does the rash look like with chickenpox in the initial stage? The photo below shows the disease in the early stages of its development, when the rashes are not so extensive and are concentrated on small areas of the skin.
The first step is infection. The virus enters the body through the organs of the respiratory system and settles on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, where it begins to actively multiply, spreading to other tissues. The incubation period lasts from 11 days to 3 weeks. At this time, the person is not contagious, and there are no external signs of the disease.
Gradually, viral particles penetrate into the blood. As soon as their number rises, the immune system begins to produce specific antibodies. The initial stage of chickenpox is characterized by general intoxication of the body. There is an increase in body temperature, weakness, the appearance of headaches and body aches. This period lasts approximately 1-2 days.
Then comes the acute stage of chickenpox, which is characterized by damage to nerve cells and skin tissues. It is during this period that a specific rash appears. First, a small red spot forms on the skin, but after a few hours, a papule forms on this site, and then a vesicle. Rashes look like small bubbles with transparent contents. After a day, the liquid inside the vesicle becomes cloudy. Over the next 2-3 days, the bubbles begin to dry out, forming crusts on the surface of the skin. Rashes can also appear on the mucous membranes.
The acute stage of the disease lasts from 3 to 7 days. It is worth noting that the rash appears gradually. That is why small vesicles with transparent contents and dried crusts can be observed on the patient's skin at the same time. They fall off on their ownleaving a trace. This type of rash affects only superficial tissues, so scars do not form after it. But given the fact that the disease is accompanied by severe itching, there is a risk of scarring due to constant scratching of the skin.
Features of the recovery stage
If the patient has a sufficiently strong immune system, then the disease, as a rule, disappears after 3-7 days from the moment the first rash appears. A crust forms in place of the bubble. The patient's state of he alth noticeably improves, his temperature returns to normal, weakness disappears, appetite appears. It is worth noting that the virus does not completely disappear from the body. A small amount of viral particles remain forever in the structures of the nervous system.
Further course of the disease
We have already considered what chickenpox looks like in the initial stage, the symptoms of the disease and recovery. But if we are talking about a patient with a weakened immune system, then the re-development of the disease is possible. In this case, skin reactions (in particular, a rash) will be localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe nerve that contains the largest number of viral particles. During the period of reactivation of the infection, the patient is contagious, therefore, for the duration of therapy, he must be isolated.
Atypical forms of the disease
Repeat, a rash with chickenpox appears when the virus has already settled in the body and has entered the nerve fibers with the bloodstream. There are very few rashes at the initial stage. Chickenpox in children (photos of how the rash looks at different stages are presented inarticle) manifests itself in several forms. Above we have considered a typical one. There are also atypical forms of chickenpox. It is worth familiarizing yourself with their features.
- The rudimentary chickenpox leaks hidden. Most often, patients are not even aware of the presence of the disease, but they can spread the infection.
- The pustular form of pathology is accompanied by suppuration of rashes. They keep for a long time, do not dry out, their contents become cloudy. Most often, adult patients suffer from this severe form of chickenpox.
- Bullous chickenpox is quite dangerous. The rash on the skin becomes gigantic and very difficult to treat. The disease is characterized by severe intoxication. Patients tend to recover slowly.
- The hemorrhagic form of the disease is also dangerous. In this case, the papules formed on the skin begin to fill with blood. Over time, the rash turns into sores. There may be foci of necrosis. Such a disease can turn into a gangrenous form, which sometimes causes the death of the patient.
- Visceral chickenpox is accompanied by the appearance of rashes not only on the skin, but also on the membranes of the internal organs. As a rule, this form of the disease develops in newborn children with immunodeficiency. Unfortunately, in most cases, the disease ends in the death of the patient.
Diagnostic measures
In fact, the diagnosis of a disease such as chickenpox is rarely difficult. The stages of the disease are accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. Their presence is sufficient for the doctor tomake a diagnosis.
Nevertheless, additional tests are being carried out. In particular, virological studies are informative, which help to isolate viral particles from tissues. Serological tests are carried out in order to determine the presence in the patient's blood of antibodies of certain classes.
Treatment with drugs
Most often, the initial stage of chickenpox in children is not an indication for hospitalization. Only patients with severe forms of the disease are admitted to the hospital. Of course, the doctor prescribes a complex of certain drugs.
- Skin rashes need to be lubricated 3-4 times a day with antiseptic solutions, for example, brilliant green, fucorcin, potassium permanganate.
- The treatment regimen must include antiviral drugs, such as Acyclovir, Valaciclovir, etc. These drugs are available in the form of tablets, as well as gels that need to be treated with skin vesicles.
- If there are severe symptoms of intoxication (fever, weakness), then it is advisable to take anti-inflammatory drugs such as Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Panadol.
Advice on patient care
Regardless of the stage of chickenpox (photos of symptoms were presented above), the patient needs care. Of course, medicines will help, but the right regimen, nutrition and some therapeutic measures will help the patient's body recover.
- The issue of hygiene is an object of dispute among domesticand foreign doctors. In Europe, experts do not recommend abandoning water procedures even during the appearance of a rash. Our doctors say that when taking a shower or bath, pustules on the skin are easily damaged, which increases the risk of secondary bacterial infection. But in hot weather, the baby must be washed, as sweat will itch the skin even more.
- The initial stage of chickenpox, as already mentioned, is accompanied by the appearance of the first nodules of the rash and severe itching. That is why patients are advised to wear long sleeves (where the baby will not be able to comb the skin). All clothing and bedding should be made from natural fabrics - this will ensure air flow to the skin. Of course, you need to wash your wardrobe items at high temperatures (this applies to towels, bed linen, etc.).
- For a patient with any infectious disease, drinking regimen is extremely important. Drinking plenty of water speeds up the process of removing toxins from the body.
- Eating during illness should be light, but high in calories. The diet must contain foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Baths with decoctions of medicines help speed up skin regeneration processes. Experts recommend adding extracts of lemon balm, chamomile, and sage to bathing water.
How many times can you get chickenpox
Some patients are sure that this disease can be ill only once in a lifetime. In most cases, this is true, but the virus settles in the body forever. He leadsquietly and calmly until a person has serious he alth problems, as a result of which his immunity is reduced. That's when the insidious virus again reminds of itself, but manifests itself in another disease called shingles.
Chickenpox in adults: features of the clinical picture
Despite the fact that the disease is considered to be a childhood illness, adults are also not immune from chickenpox. The stages of the development of the disease look the same, but the pathology proceeds in more severe forms.
For example, the symptoms of intoxication in adult patients are more pronounced. Their temperature rises to 40 degrees. Patients complain of severe weakness, dizziness, nausea. The infection affects the nervous system, which is accompanied by the development of photophobia, increased sensitivity to sounds. Delusional states are possible.
The rash covers almost the entire surface of the skin and external mucous membranes. If you tear off the vesicles, you can notice the formation of deep sores that heal very slowly. Chickenpox in adults is often associated with suppuration of the rash, there is a risk of further necrosis. The mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, and respiratory tract are covered with enanthems.
Possible Complications
In children, in most cases, the disease proceeds relatively easily. But it is not worth excluding the possibility of complications. These include:
- Respiratory system disorders (tracheitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure).
- Edema of the brain,inflammation of the meninges, paresis and paralysis of muscles, cerebellar ataxia and other lesions of the nervous system.
- Severe disorders of the cardiovascular system, including thrombophlebitis, myocarditis, hemorrhagic syndrome.
- Diseases of the joints and muscles (myositis, fasciitis, arthritis).
- Jade, hepatitis and liver abscesses can also be added to the list of possible complications.
Preventive measures
You already know what the stages of chickenpox look like and what symptoms you should pay attention to. But are there methods of prevention?
Modern medicine offers a specially designed vaccine. This tool is effective, as it helps to start the production of antibodies without the full development of the disease. If this procedure was performed on an immunocompromised patient, there is a risk of complications.
