How does chickenpox manifest in a child? Most parents of young children look for answers to this question mainly on the Internet. Few of the babies manage to avoid this disease. Parents relate to this ailment in different ways. Some of them are afraid. And some are glad that their child became infected with them in childhood. Since the older the child, the worse he suffers this ailment.
This virus is called varicella-zoster. It was opened in 1958. This virus can infect humans at any age.
The article will consider how chickenpox manifests itself in children, photos will also be posted. They will help to more accurately diagnose the disease and distinguish it from other skin diseases.
Chicken pox - what is it
The name of the disease shows that the virus lives in the air and can land anywhere.
How does chickenpox manifest in a child? The answer to this question will be considered in the next section of the article. It is worth noting that chickenpox is a contagious disease. It is caused by the herpes virus. If a person gets chickenpox, the source of the disease will settle in his body forever.
About two million people get chickenpox every year. Most are children under 10 years old. As a rule, they catch this infection in kindergarten. If in any institution there is a person who is sick with chickenpox, then the probability of infection of the rest is very high. Usually in kindergartens quarantine is introduced in one or another group.
How does chickenpox manifest in children
The main “culprit” of infection is mucus from the nasopharynx, not the vesicles.
How long does chickenpox manifest in children? About two or three weeks after infection. Therefore, during this amount of time, the child passes this virus to other children before the appearance of rashes on the skin. He first settles in the air during a game or conversation. After the virus enters the mucous membrane of the mouth or nose. Then it is carried with lymph flow throughout the human body.
Within three weeks, the virus may not manifest itself in any way. This period is called incubation. The virus can spread at a distance of about 18 meters. Therefore, they are infected even through ventilation openings.
Also, an adult who has shingles can be a source of the virus. The causative agents of this disease and chickenpox are the same.
What are the stages of the disease
So, let's look at how chickenpox manifests itself in children. This disease proceeds in several stages.
How does chickenpox manifest in children? Symptoms of each period will be described below.
The first is called incubation. Its duration is from 7 days to three weeks. During this period, the virus accumulates and multiplies.
The second stage is referred to as prodromal. It lasts about 24 hours. In young children, it may be absent. During this period, the disease manifests itself as an ordinary cold.
There is a slight increase in body temperature, weakness and headaches, as well as a sore throat. Some people have a small amount of red spots.
In the third period there are rashes. Body temperature can reach 39 degrees. The higher this indicator in a child, the more rashes will be. With a mild form of the disease, there is a slight body temperature. And as a rule, only a rash indicates a disease.
As manifested in children, the symptoms of each period of this ailment have been described above. Next, a detailed description of the various forms of the disease will be given. From these sections of the article it will be possible to find out how chickenpox manifests itself in children in a particular case.
About a mild form of the disease
This type of disease is most common in children under 10 years old. Adults carry chickenpox much harder.
The main symptom of this form of the disease is mild malaise. The patient has lethargy and fatigue, as well as a mild headache.
In addition, with a mild form of the disease, body temperature practically does not increase. For some, it can reach 37.4 degrees.
A slight rash appears on the skin. Their number is small, most often they itch a little.
With this type of disease, a child does not develop stable immunity, therefore, most likely, he will suffer this ailment again. The specialist warns parents about this.
What are the features of the disease in infants
Chickenpox in newborns is very rare, because it receives antibodies to the disease from the mother during fetal development. Things are slightly different with those girls who before pregnancy did not have chickenpox. Accordingly, they have no antibodies. Therefore, the risk of infection of the baby in this case is high.
How does chickenpox manifest in children? The first signs of the disease should alert the mother.
Usually the baby becomes lethargic and restless, eats very little. Body temperature also rises. Bubbles appear on the body of the baby. They, in turn, heal very slowly. The disease itself lasts about two weeks.
For babies , chickenpox is dangerous intoxication. Therefore, usually such children are hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.
What does chickenpox look like in children
In order to determine that this is exactly the same disease, you need to know the signs.
So, how does chickenpox manifest in children? Symptoms, photos will be presented below.
Initially, red spots appear on the skin of the child, resembling insect bites. Then they quickly turn into bubbles that are filled with a clear liquid. After their contents become cloudy. Then the bubbles burst. After drying, a crust forms. It must never be ripped off.
About the features of rashes during an ailment in children
How does chickenpox manifest in children? The first red spots look like mosquito bites. First they appear on the torso. After the rash spreads over the arms and legs, then over the face.
The appearance of the rash is changing rapidly. They are filled with liquid, then become cloudy, burst. During this period, a very severe itching appears. After they form a crust. This was stated above. But the process does not end there. Then other same spots appear. And the whole cycle repeats.
The number of bubbles can reach several hundred or even thousands. They affect the mucous membranes of the mouth, sometimes even cover the palms and soles.
The period of appearance of the rash is from three to seven days. Brownish crusts fall off after about seven days. After them there are no traces left. But only for this it is necessary that the child does not comb them. Because they can get an infection.
Six days after the formation of the last bubble, the child is considered non-contagious. With him, you can begin to go for a walk on the street.
What can be the complications
It seems that chickenpox is a harmless affliction, but it is not so. Complications of the disease can develop in children who have immunodeficiency.
So, a secondary infection is a dangerous consequence. Skin lesions occur with streptococcus and staphylococcus. Because of this, purulent dermatitis develops. This ailment is treated only with antibiotics.
The chickenpox virus helps to suppress the protective properties of the body. Because of this, illnesses such as pneumonia, myocarditis, laryngitis, otitis media, stomatitis develop.
A severe and dangerous form of the disease is hemorrhagic chickenpox. With this form of the disease, the bubbles are not filled with a clear liquid, but with blood. After hemorrhages appear on the skin and bleeding from the digestive tract. With this disease can be fatal.
With gangrenous chickenpox, papules are converted into flabby blisters, which have symptoms of necrosis. Then large ulcers appear on the body. They are infected. As a result, sepsis begins.
Chickenpox encephalitis is dangerous because it can cause brain inflammation. The main symptoms are severe headaches and high body temperature.
Scars and scars may also remain from chicken pox. This happens when the child strongly combes the rashes and peels off the crusts. Scars form during secondary infection.
What is the treatment for mild to moderate form of the disease
In this case, hospitalization of the child is not required. As a rule, treatment is based on hygienic skin care and local therapy.
Bed rest is usually prescribed if the child has an increase in body temperature. With the last symptom, antipyretics are prescribed. It is strictly forbidden to take "Aspirin". Its use can lead to liver damage.
It is necessary to carry out antiseptic treatment of vesicles on the body. For this, as a rule, zelenka or Fukortsin is used. These funds are dried, disinfected and prevent secondary infection. Antiseptics should be applied with a cotton swab.
Antiseptic treatment of vesicles on the mucous membrane is also carried out. To do this, rinse your mouth and throat with a decoction of chamomile or "Furacilin".
How is treatment for severe chickenpox
If a child has a high temperature and a serious condition for a long time, he is hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.
With this form of chickenpox, antiviral drugs are prescribed. These include drugs such as Acyclovir and Zovirax. They can be given to children from 2 years of age.
Antibiotics are prescribed in the presence of a secondary bacterial infection and purulent process. But these medicines do not help fight chickenpox, since it is a virus.
In some cases, a specialist may prescribe an immunomodulator administration.
Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve severe itching. As a rule, second and third generation medications are recommended. They do not cause drowsiness or addiction.
About disease prevention
The symptoms and the number of days after which chickenpox appears in children were discussed above. And now we will consider whether it is possible to protect our child from this ailment in general.
The most reliable way to protect against chickenpox is vaccination. It is optional. It can be done at the request of the parents.
After this vaccination, the child will either suffer this ailment in a mild form, or will not get sick for about 9 years.
Most parents are of the opinion that it is best for their child to have chickenpox at preschool age. As a rule, at this time the disease proceeds in the most mild form.
But there is an opinion of experts who claim that the herpes virus can cause complications in children. And then, in the future, since the parasite remains in the body, a person has a chance of contracting shingles.
With vaccination, there is a very small chance of getting the last ailment.
Having noticed the first signs of chickenpox in a child, be sure to call your doctor at home. He will definitely be able to determine the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Make sure that the baby does not comb the bubbles. Because after the scars will remain on the body. If all the tips are followed, the ailment will disappear after a certain time and will not remind of itself anymore.