Chickenpox is quite common in children, which is why it is important for parents to know what the disease is, how it is transmitted, and how treatment is carried out.
This disease is transmitted predominantly by airborne droplets. Often, infection occurs in infants or preschool age. In some cases, chickenpox can occur in adults and is very acute. Re-infection is possible only with immunodeficiency pathologies.
Features of the disease
Chicken pox in children, ICD code 10 B01, refers to acute viral infections transmitted by airborne droplets. The causative agent of the disease is unique in that the susceptibility of the body to it is almost 100%.
In addition, it is able to accumulate in nerve nodes and for a long time to maintain very good viability. For the first time penetrating the body, pathogens provoke the development of chickenpox, after the course of which lifelong immunity is formed.
Often, the disease occurs in children under the age of 7 years. Usually it proceeds easily and without the development of complications in a child 1-12 years old. In adolescents and adults, the infection is quite complicated. Particularly dangerous infection during pregnancy, as infection of the fetus can lead to serious deviations in the development of the child.
Causative agent of the disease
The causative agent of chickenpox in children belongs to the herpesvirus family, which includes many different viruses that provoke many different diseases. All of them have a gene consisting of double-stranded DNA. Such viruses are quite sensitive to external chemical and physical influences, including high temperature and ultraviolet.
Many of them can be in the body for a long time, and sometimes even for life, without provoking absolutely no signs. In adverse circumstances, the infection immediately activates and manifests itself quite acutely.
The chickenpox virus is able to develop exclusively only in the cells of an infected person, and in the environment it dies very quickly under the influence of sunlight and heat. In saliva and mucus, the virus can persist for 10-15 minutes.
Transmission ways
The source of chickenpox infection in children is a sick person suffering from this disease. Laboratory studies have shown that the greatest concentration of the virus is contained in the resulting vesicles. It is traditionally referred to as a respiratory disease, however, it appears in the nasopharynx only if the surface of the mucosa is covered with rashes.
The period of the patient's greatest infectiousness is from the moment of the formation of rashes to the period of occurrence of crusts. With chickenpox, the incubation period lasts for 7-21 days, but often the disease manifests itself 2 weeks after exposure to the virus. A decrease in the incubation period can be in infants up to 1 year old and with a weakened immune system. It has a longer duration in adolescents, and the first signs are observed after about 23 days.
Newborns are completely not susceptible to chickenpox, as they receive all the required antibodies to protect against the virus along with breast milk. However, they are gradually eliminated from the body of the child and can fully inhibit the development of viruses up to 1 year.
Susceptibility to chickenpox in children reaches a maximum at the age of 4-5 years. In patients with chickenpox in old age, shingles are often found. Chicken pox is very dangerous in an epidemic sense, since quite often outbreaks of the disease are observed in children's groups.
Stages of the disease
Starting from the moment a healthy child comes into contact with the infection, the disease goes through several stages, namely:
- incubation;
- prodromal period;
- rash;
- recovery.
The incubation period is characterized by the fact that at this time the pathogen of the virus actively multiplies and accumulates in the mucous membranes, but there are no signs. The prodromal period is the time when the virus enters the bloodstream and the infection provokes the occurrence of a general malaise, but it is still impossible to accurately diagnose the presence of the disease.
In the period of rash, the pathogen begins to manifest itself more actively in the skin cells, and characteristic rashes form on the child’s body, and overall health sharply worsens. In the recovery phase, antibodies begin to form, new vesicles cease to appear, and the existing rash heals. Each child has all these stages in a completely different way.
Main forms
There can be a variety of forms of chickenpox in children, namely such as:
With a mild course, the general condition of the child is not too disturbed, the temperature rises slightly or remains within the normal range. There are very few rashes, and they appear mainly in the form of single vesicles. The duration of the acute period is approximately 2-4 days.
The moderate form is characterized by intoxication, the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, and there is also a severe rash with itching. Rashes form for 5-7 days. A severe form is characterized by the fact that rashes form on the skin and mucous membrane of the internal organs, oral cavity, eyes. The rash is accompanied by very severe itching. The temperature rises sharply to high levels, signs of intoxication are observed. The acute period lasts for 8-10 days. Chickenpox in a 3-year-old child occurs in mild to moderate form. In some cases, atypical forms of the disease may occur, in particular such as:
- bullous;
- hemorrhagic;
- gangrenous.
The bullous form is characterized by the formation of large blisters on the skin, filled with a cloudy yellow liquid. The upper part on such formations is soft, and when they burst, ulcers form that do not heal for a long time. In hemorrhagic form, the contents of the vesicles are blood. The upper crust has a dark red color, and after it falls off, deep scars remain.
The gangrenous form is characterized by a progressive lesion of the deep layers of the skin with their gradual death. The process of necrosis begins a few days after the formation of the first rashes, and a characteristic feature is the formation of dark rims near these vesicles.
Similar forms of chickenpox are formed in severely weakened children with impaired immune systems, for example, patients with oncology or receiving prolonged therapy with steroid drugs or cytostatics.
Symptoms
The first signs of chickenpox in children are similar to the course of any other viral infection and manifest as:
- weaknesses;
- headache;
- sore throat;
- loss of appetite;
- irritability;
- sleep disturbances.
With a severe course, the child may experience vomiting, and the lymph nodes increase. Cough and runny nose in uncomplicated course are not observed. How chickenpox manifests itself in children, Komarovsky tells very well in his program.
Among the main signs can be noted an increase in temperature. The severity of fever is directly related to the severity of the course of the infection. If the disease is mild, then the temperature may remain within normal limits or only increase slightly.
A rash with chickenpox in children is one of the most characteristic signs. Even with a very mild course of the disease, at least a few vesicles form on the child's body. Basically, it is detected simultaneously with an increase in temperature. The first vesicles are marked on the body, and then form on the head and limbs. They provoke a fairly severe itch, thereby causing the child significant discomfort.
It is worth noting that a rash with chickenpox does not form on the feet and hands, however, it can occur on the mucous membranes. Initially, small reddish spots form, which over time are filled with liquid. After a few days, the rashes burst and crust. Under them, the skin gradually heals, and no trace remains. At the same time, new spots are formed nearby, from which bubbles also form.
With a mild course, new elements may not form, and with a severe form, rashes form over a week or more, and their number is very large. When the first symptoms of chickenpox appear in children, you should definitely consult a doctor for a comprehensive diagnosis and prescribe subsequent treatment.
Diagnostics
Often the diagnosis is made on the basis of complaints and available clinical manifestations of the infection. In addition, a venous blood test is additionally prescribed. From the first days of the course of the disease, the virus can be detected using the PCR reaction, and from the 4th to 7th day of the course of chickenpox, antibodies are detected using the ELISA method.
Based on the results of the examination and determining the form of the disease, the doctor decides how to treat chickenpox in children. He prescribes medications, as well as alternative methods of therapy.
Treatment features
With chickenpox in children, the clinical recommendations must be followed very strictly so as not to provoke complications. Often, therapy is carried out at home. The child is prescribed medications aimed at facilitating the course of infection. Antiviral drugs are prescribed only in severe form. In the case of bacterial complications, the use of antibiotics is indicated.
The child needs to be isolated to prevent infection of people without immunity. This is especially important for pregnant women and in the presence of chronic pathologies. If the temperature is very high, then the use of antipyretic drugs is required, as well as compliance with bed rest. Physical activity needs to be limited.
Food with chickenpox should be light, so in the usual diet should be boiled or steamed meat and fish, dairy products, vegetables, fruits. If bubbles have formed in the mouth, then the food should be consumed in a semi-liquid form. The child needs to ensure a normal drinking regimen. You can consume weak tea, compotes, fruit drinks, a rosehip broth.
To reduce nervous irritability, herbal or homeopathic medicines are often used. To reduce itching and protect the skin from infection, it is shown that the vesicles are treated with green, peroxide or potassium permanganate.
If the rashes itch very much and bother the child, then the doctor may prescribe antihistamines. When rashes form on the oral mucosa, it is recommended to gargle with herbal decoctions, Miramistin, and also lubricate with anesthetic gels.
Drug treatment
With chickenpox in children , the doctor's recommendations must be followed very strictly, as this will eliminate the development of complications. Therapeutic tactics largely depend on the severity of the course of the disease, the age of the patient and overall well-being. In severe cases, the patient is placed in a box of a special infectious department, and in all other cases, therapy is carried out at home.
Antiviral therapy is required. Children and adolescents are prescribed the drug "Acyclovir", which must be used throughout the week. It is very important to start its application as soon as possible, as this guarantees a more successful cure. Immunocompromised patients are advised to administer this agent intravenously for 7 days.
If chickenpox proceeds with an increase in temperature to 38 degrees and above, the use of such drugs as Panadol, Efferalgan is indicated as an antipyretic. They do not adversely affect the immune system.
Many doctors recommend taking antihistamines, such as Claritin, Tavegil, Suprastin.
With the formation of blisters with purulent contents, the use of antibacterial drugs is indicated. Along with this, probiotics are required to prevent dysbiosis.
Treatment of the skin significantly relieves itching and acts as a prevention of complications. For drying the vesicles, the use of brilliant green is indicated. In addition, you can use Miramistin or Fukortsin. Sores on the mucous membranes are lubricated with hydrogen peroxide, Rivanol or Furacilin. If purulent discharge from the eyes occurs, a solution of sodium sulfacil can be used.
Eliminate itching and dry out the rashes with the help of “Tsindol”, “Kalamin” lotion, “PoxClean” cooling gel.
Folk remedies
Treatment of chickenpox with folk remedies can be carried out only if there is no allergy to the components used. If the rashes on the body are quite plentiful, then you can use herbal decoctions in the form of lotions, as well as add them to the bathing water. To do this, you can use chamomile, calendula, string, sage. To relieve itching, you can lubricate the bubbles with tea tree oil.
A mixture of lemon juice and honey will help alleviate the condition. This tool helps to strengthen the immune system and the fight against viruses. Children under the age of 5 years should take 1 tsp. mixtures after meals, and for a child over 5 years old - 1 dessert spoon.
A chicken pox can be given a warm infusion of raspberries. To prepare it, you need to pour dried fruits into a thermos, pour hot water and insist for 1 hour. Regularly you need to drink a warm infusion of parsley, and if there are rashes on the oral mucosa, rinse with this tool.
At high temperatures, the child is recommended to take a decoction of white willow bark. If fever is severe, then you should also drink a warm infusion of hazel leaves. An effective treatment for chickenpox is a warm decoction of burdock roots, which must be taken throughout the week. Additionally, you can do inhalation with a decoction of the pine kidneys.
General child care
The rules for caring for a child must be strictly observed. It is necessary to organize proper nutrition. The daily diet should consist of foods that fully satisfy the physiological needs of the body for nutrients. It is recommended to consume as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
It is necessary to exclude heavy meat dishes from the menu. Doctors recommend giving your child cereals, dietary meat, soups, dairy products, fish. It is best to steam, by boiling, baking or stewing. It is not necessary to feed a child by force, it is worthwhile to enable the body to fight the infection normally, without overloading it.
It is important to ensure an adequate drinking regimen. When caring for a child, you need to give a lot of warm, plentiful drink containing many vitamins. It is necessary to ensure good hygienic conditions for keeping the baby, monitor the cleanliness of the linen. Nails need to be cut short, as it can comb itchy skin. As a result of this, a secondary infection can penetrate, which threatens with complications.
For several days, you need to rinse the child's mouth with a weak solution of salt or baking soda. Some doctors recommend applying a warm heating pad to your stomach. It is best not to fill it completely so that it fits the stomach well.
After the crusts fall off, you need to lubricate the skin in those places where there were rashes, boiled warm vegetable oil. This has a beneficial effect on skin repair.
In the presence of chickenpox in children, quarantine is introduced on the 21st day. At this time, a sick child is not recommended to attend children's groups so as not to jeopardize the infection of other children.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the spread of the virus, it is important to prevent varicella in children, in particular, such activities as:
- isolation of the patient for the period of infectiousness;
- the allocation of separate dishes and linen;
- separate washing of clothes;
- the use of gauze dressings;
- wet room cleaning and frequent airing.
This will help to avoid infection of households who have not previously had an infection, but this is often ineffective, since the disease is transmitted in the incubation period. Vaccination is a more effective means, but it is imperative to know when children are vaccinated against chickenpox in order to provide protection. It is not mandatory, so parents can purchase and make it of their own free will.
Vaccination against chicken pox in children can be carried out with vaccines such as Varilrix and Okavax. They contain a weakened virus and are generally well tolerated. Children can be vaccinated for chickenpox starting at 9 months of age. If you vaccinate a child under 13 years old, this will help provide complete protection. At the age of over 13 years, 2 vaccinations against chickenpox for children, which are carried out with an interval of 6-10 days, will be required for full protection. .
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Possible complications
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- pneumonia
- ;
- encephalitis;
- otitis media;
- stomatitis;
- hepatitis
- ;
- myocarditis;
- .
There is also a certain risk of death from chickenpox, especially with encephalitis. No less dangerous is pneumonia and chicken pox. To prevent complications, you need to start treatment after the first signs of the disease.