Children under 10 years of age usually get chickenpox, most often the first four years of life. It is almost impossible to get chickenpox again: immunity to this disease remains forever. Only isolated cases of reinfection were noted - in people with severe immunodeficiency. Its causative agent is a special filtering virus: in adults it causes shingles, while in children it develops chickenpox upon infection. Its symptoms are difficult to confuse with signs of other diseases, since rashes with chickenpox have a characteristic appearance.
Chickenpox, the symptoms of which appear 2-3 weeks after infection, is manifested almost simultaneously by a rise in temperature and rashes. At first they look like red spots, after a few hours in their place appear bubbles with a clear liquid (the so-called papuloviculosis rash). The patient is the source of infection: chickenpox is transmitted only by airborne droplets, from person to person. Moreover, they do not even need to be close to each other - the virus is able to be transported with a current of air from one room to another. Outside the human body, he quickly dies, so it is almost impossible to catch chickenpox through household items. The patient is infected with chickenpox a day before the rash appears. You can get infected from it throughout the entire period of rashes, until the crust falls off - in this regard, the first five days of the disease are most dangerous. Chickenpox quarantine is 21 days - at this time a child who has not yet had it, but who has been in contact with a sick person, is not allowed in the team.
Rashes with chickenpox are mainly localized on the upper body and head, less often on the limbs. After a few days, they begin to dry out. This process is accompanied by itching, sometimes quite severe. There are differences in the way chickenpox manifests itself in children who are physically healthy and weakened: for example, in the former, the disease usually proceeds easily, in the latter, it is often accompanied by complications. These are, first of all, lymphadenitis, pyoderma, and also quite serious diseases: encephalitis, myocarditis. Chickenpox, the symptoms of which are well known, has its own characteristics: for example, it usually has several cycles of rashes, each of which is accompanied by an increase in temperature. Therefore, on the skin of the patient, as a rule, there are vesicles, and red spots, and drying crusts. Symptoms of chickenpox in adolescents and adults are usually more pronounced: they are more likely to experience general intoxication, fever, severe skin itching. Pregnant women can get chickenpox and pass this virus to their baby. Although, according to statistics, there are very few such cases, one should not discount the possible risks: if the child of acquaintances or friends is sick with chickenpox, the pregnant woman should wait for a visit to them.
Chickenpox, the symptoms of which, although not dangerous, are quite unpleasant, does not require specific treatment. Relieving itching will help lubricate the rash with brilliant green and vinegar solution, sprinkle it with talcum powder. In some cases, the doctor may recommend antihistamines, and when attaching a bacterial infection, antibiotics. To lower the temperature, paracetamol or ibuprofen (Nurofen) is used. Giving chickenpox to a child or adult is strictly not recommended!
In order to avoid infection of rashes, special attention should be paid to hygiene. Most often, they pass without a trace, however, small children need to shave their nails briefly and make sure that they do not strip off the itchy crusts - otherwise, scarring may occur. In the first week of the disease, bed rest is indicated. A recovered child can attend kindergarten or school five days after the last rashes appear.