Chickenpox or chicken pox is a severe acute infectious disease caused by the herpes virus of the third type. This type belongs to the category of viruses with 100% susceptibility. It can take place in three forms: mild, moderate and severe. How does windmill start? The first signs of the disease are fever and rash. It is considered a characteristic childhood infection, although adults also get sick. About how chickenpox begins, how long the incubation period lasts, about the features of the course in children and adults, we will tell in the article.
Chickenpox virus specifics
The varicella-zoster virus is highly volatile and passes from person to person through airborne droplets. Dies when exposed to high and low temperatures, when exposed to ultraviolet rays. It keeps well at room temperature. The virus is able to exist for a long time in the air, thus covering distances of up to 20 meters.
Chickenpox incubation period
On average, the incubation period of chickenpox can last from 10 to 21 days. Its duration is influenced by a number of factors:
- The environment in which the infection occurred. In a closed room, the reproduction of the causative agent of the disease occurs with greater intensity. Consequently, the virus accumulates and develops faster in the body.
- Immunity. In children with poor immunity, the latency period is shortened, and the disease proceeds in severe forms.
- The number of viruses that entered the body.
- Age: In adults, the latent period of illness is longer.
Chickenpox in children
How does chickenpox start in children? Like other infectious diseases, chickenpox begins in babies in a latent form. After entering the child's body, the virus needs time to adapt. After that, the causative agent of the disease begins to actively multiply and accumulate in foci in the baby's body. The next step is to distribute the virus throughout the body. At this stage, the first visible signs of chickenpox appear.
Signs that chickenpox is coming
Cough, runny nose and slight fever are signs of beginning chickenpox in children. A sick child may lose his appetite, become moody and whiny. At this stage, chickenpox can be confused with acute respiratory infections. At the next stage, rashes appear in the form of red pimples. The first rashes appear on the scalp, face and neck.
Main symptomschickenpox
How does chickenpox start? Symptoms are as follows:
- The initial manifestations are similar to a cold. Weakness, headaches, drowsiness and loss of appetite.
- Increased body temperature. In a patient with chicken pox, the body temperature rises from 37 ° to 38 ° C. In severe form, it can rise to 39 ° C or more. The rise in temperature can last 3-5 days, sometimes a week. The entire period of the appearance of new rashes is accompanied by fever.
- Increased lymph nodes. In a person suffering from chickenpox, in some cases, growth of lymph nodes can be noted. This happens when the virus enters the lymphatic system and begins to actively divide there.
- Rash. By this sign, anyone can recognize chickenpox. Small red spots, like insect bites, appear on the 2nd day after the fever. Initially, rashes appear on the scalp, then on the face, neck and hands. Over time, the rash can cover all parts of the body, and even the oral cavity and the whites of the eyes. The rash fills with fluid and turns into small pimples. After a couple of days, the pimples begin to dry. In this place, crusts appear that last another 1-2 weeks. Typical for chickenpox is the presence of several types of rashes at once: specks, pimples and crusts.
- Severe itching. The appearance of new pimples is accompanied by severe itching. To avoid serious complications, pimples should not be scratched. It is especially difficult to control babies who scratch the wounds.
Slight form of chicken pox. Symptoms
Often in preschool childrenthere is a mild form of chicken pox. In a baby with mild chickenpox, the temperature may not rise above 37.5 ° C or remain normal. Rashes are few and almost no inconvenience.
But even having been ill with chicken pox in a mild form, a person receives immunity to this disease. And re-infection with chickenpox is quite rare.
How does chickenpox start in adults? First signs
Earlier, chickenpox was considered only a childhood disease, it almost never occurred in adults.
However, the deterioration of the ecological state of the environment, addictions and frequent stress led to malfunctions in the immune system. As a result, in our days, the manifestations of childhood diseases in mature people have become much more frequent.
The development of the disease in an 18-year-old is the same as in people of retirement and pre-retirement age. But due to chronic diseases present at this age, people over 50 have more episodes with complications.
Where does chickenpox start?
Chickenpox starts like the flu or a cold, with a general malaise. After that, reddish spots appear on the head and face. There is a strong intoxication of the body, as a result, the body temperature rises. The rash spreads all over the body. In an adult, rashes often occur on the genitals, this serves as a source of acute pain during urination. Initially, a bubble with liquid appears on the rash, which after a coupledays bursts, leaving a dry crust. It will disappear soon if properly processed.
An adult develops much more rashes than a child, and it takes longer to clear up. The rash causes intense itching. But it is absolutely impossible to comb the rashes during chickenpox. In the wounds, a secondary infection can occur, which will leave scars on the body.
Adults can experience serious complications that can affect internal organs and even the brain.
Complications of chickenpox
The following complications may occur:
- Stomatitis. Sores in the mouth can lead to severe stomatitis.
- Vulvitis and inflammation of the flesh of the glans penis. Rashes and sores can lead to secondary infection of the genitals.
- Loss of sight. Chickenpox vesicles may appear on the white of the eye. The bubble leaves behind a scar, which can cause deterioration or even loss of vision.
- Tracheitis, laryngitis and varicella pneumonia. Dense chickenpox rashes on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract provoke a sore throat and cough. Weakened immunity can provoke chickenpox pneumonia.
- Encephalitis and meningitis. The chickenpox virus can damage nerve cells and meninges. In this case, the patient's coordination of movement is disturbed. Possible loss of consciousness and nausea.
Chickenpox during pregnancy
The most wonderful period in the life of every woman is pregnancy. But at the same time he is the most disturbingand exciting. During pregnancy, it is highly undesirable to get chickenpox.
If the mother-to-be had chicken pox in childhood, you should not be afraid. The threat awaits those women who have not met with this virus.
Women carrying a child have the same symptoms and development of the disease as other people. The disease passes in the same form, pregnancy does not provoke specific complications. The danger of infection with the chickenpox virus for the expectant mother lies primarily in the threat to the baby. The most critical is the first trimester and the last week before childbirth.
How to protect yourself from chickenpox to expectant mothers? When planning a pregnancy, get tested for the presence of antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. If antibodies are not present, consider vaccination. In this case, the pregnancy will need to be postponed for a couple of months.
If you are already pregnant, it is too late to vaccinate. In this case, try to exclude being in children's groups. After all, children get chickenpox more often than adults. Avoid contact with people who suffer from shingles, because the causative agent of chickenpox is the same virus that causes this disease.
If you have had contact with someone who has chickenpox, see a doctor immediately.
Features of the treatment of chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral disease. Therefore, taking antibiotics does not work. It is justified only in the case of a secondary bacterial infection.
Specialized medicines and specific treatments in thisthere is no illness. But there are several methods that will help to cope with chickenpox:
- If the body temperature rises above 38 ° C, it is necessary to take antipyretics. It is worth remembering that aspirin is contraindicated in chickenpox. Taking it can provoke liver disease.
- Frequently drinking plenty of water will help to quickly remove the virus from the body.
- Diet. During illness, it is desirable to exclude fried, spicy and sweet foods, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Such a diet complicates the treatment process, the body spends a lot of energy on processing such food. Give preference to lean, steamed food.
- Do not scratch chicken pox. A bacterial infection can enter the damaged wound and cause complications.
- If itching is unbearable, take an antihistamine.
- You can avoid suppuration of chickenpox rashes with antiseptics.
- Do not wear heavy or tight clothing. Give preference to cotton fabrics. This will allow the skin to breathe and relieve you of unnecessary discomfort.
- Change your clothes and bedding more often. Be careful not to sweat excessively. Damp, sweaty underwear will increase itching and speed up the spread of the rash.
- While bathing, do not use a washcloth or other detergents. Take a bath with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Create a favorable microclimate. To prevent the viral infection from accumulating in the room, ventilate every 3-4 hours. Monitor air humidity and temperature.
If a person with chickenpox begins to vomit, have trouble breathing, and have a partial loss of coordination, see a doctor immediately! Remember, self-treatment may not give positive results, but only aggravate the situation. Suitable therapy can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
A patient with chickenpox, if possible, should exclude all contact with he althy people. The isolation period should last at least a week. Three-week quarantine is announced in preschool and school educational institutions.
