How does a child develop chickenpox? We will examine in more detail in this matter.
Chickenpox, popularly known as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease of infectious origin and mainly affects children under 12 years of age. The disease rarely recurs, because when it first contacts the pathogen, the body produces specific antibodies that continue to circulate in the blood throughout life, protecting the body from reinfection.
In the vast majority of cases, a child with chickenpox does not require specific treatment. Therapy is carried out in order to alleviate the condition of the child and prevent possible complications after the disease.
Disease Description
How does a child develop chickenpox? Infection with chickenpox occurs due to the penetration of the pathogen into the body, which is included in the category of herpes viruses. These pathogens cannot survive in the external environment, without a carrier, their lifespan can be no more than 10 minutes. The causative agents of the disease also die under the influence of high temperatures, ultraviolet rays and light. Despite the lack of resistance to the external environment, the virus is easily transmitted from one person to another due to its property of very quickly moving through the air hundreds of meters. A person who has not been sick before and has not been vaccinated will fall ill with almost a 100% guarantee.
After immunity is developed, the cells of the virus remain in the inactive phase for life. They can be found in the spinal ganglia, as well as cranial nerves, which are associated with areas of the skin that have undergone the most intense damage during infection. When certain conditions are created, for example, against the background of cancer, stress, weakened immunity, and with other factors, the virus can be activated again, which will cause shingles.
How does chickenpox begin in children? The first signs will be considered below.
Methods of infection
Chicken pox is transmitted from an infected child to a healthy child exclusively by airborne droplets. Virus cells enter the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, as well as the eyes and mouth. Infection can occur during a conversation, sneezing, coughing or kissing. A sick person is contagious a few days before the appearance of external symptoms in the form of a rash and within five days after the appearance of the last rashes. It is possible to transmit the virus through the placenta from an ill mother to the fetus.
Increased risk
The risk of chickenpox infection in children who attend kindergartens, primary schools, that is, in a collective, is significantly increased. The most common outbreaks in the autumn-winter period, as well as in early spring.
If the mother of the child had chickenpox in childhood, the disease is not dangerous for the baby until six months. This is due to the fact that antibodies to the virus are transmitted through the placenta to the baby, which protect it in the first months of life. In the vast majority of people, stable immunity is formed during the initial infection, which lasts for life. As a child begins chickenpox, many are interested.
Incubation period
Chicken pox virus cells have a long incubation period. After infection, it may take up to three weeks before the virus manifests itself in the form of rashes.
Upon penetration into the body, viral cells attach to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, there is a gradual adaptation and reproduction begins. The incubation period is latent and does not appear externally. The child during this period is not contagious to others. When the reproduction of the virus reaches a certain stage, it manages to overcome the mucous membrane and enter the bloodstream.
When the concentration of the virus in the blood reaches a certain level, the body begins to respond to infection. In this case, fever, weakness and headache are possible. This period is called prodromal and lasts up to two days. After this, characteristic rashes appear throughout the body. In childhood, a rash may appear without any other symptoms.
Let us consider in more detail how chickenpox begins in children. The first signs of the disease are often perceived as symptoms of a cold or SARS, but when a rash appears, there is no longer room for doubt.
Signs of chickenpox
The clinical manifestations of chickenpox after an incubation period are characterized by a rapid course. At the initial stage, the child has the following symptoms:
1. Drowsiness and weakness.
2. Elevated temperature.
3. Irritability and moodiness.
4. Headaches.
5. Decreased appetite.
In the future, or simultaneously with the above symptoms, a rash appears throughout the body. In some cases, an increase in lymph nodes may be observed.
How does chickenpox begin in children? In the photo you can see sick children with characteristic rashes that appear, as a rule, for 2-3 days.
Rashes with chickenpox at the initial stage of the disease look like reddish spots resembling mosquito bites and have uneven edges. After a while, a bubble with a yellowish liquid forms in the center of the spot, itching and discomfort occur. Initially, the fluid in the bubble is clear, but the day after the appearance it becomes cloudy.
After a day or two, the bubbles burst, fluid flows out of them, and the wound dries and becomes crusty. After the wound has healed, the crust disappears, and a little pigmentation remains on the skin, which later passes. Combing wounds and peeling off crusts ahead of time is strongly not recommended, since scars and scars can remain on the skin.
This is how chickenpox begins in children. Symptoms are hard to miss.
Mucous rash
Where does chickenpox begin in children? This question is often asked by parents. The question, of course, is not entirely correct, but its essence is clear.
A rash with chickenpox can appear not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes, including the eyes, nose and genitals. At first, the characteristic areas of localization of chickenpox are the head, shoulders, stomach and back. Next, the arms and legs are covered with vesicles, and the feet and palms, as a rule, are not affected.
New spots can appear every day or with a frequency of two days. For this reason, both new rashes and wounds already covered with a crust can be found simultaneously on the body. Each new wave of rash may be accompanied by fever. Approximately up to 300 vesicles appear on average for the entire period of the disease. It also happens that chickenpox passes without the appearance of a characteristic rash. It is important not to miss the first symptoms.
How does chickenpox begin in children, you can also check with your doctor.
Types of Chickenpox
There are two main forms of chickenpox , depending on the clinical course of the disease: typical and atypical. Typical, in turn, is divided into the following types:
1. Lightweight. In this case, the child is in a satisfactory condition, the temperature does not rise, the rashes last about four days and are not particularly intense.
2. Moderate. It is accompanied by intoxication, which is expressed by weakness, drowsiness and headache. The temperature rises significantly, and the rashes are more intense and last up to five days.
3. Severe. It is characterized by severe intoxication of the body, manifested by nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. The patient has a high temperature, rashes last up to ten days and cover the whole body.
The atypical forms of chickenpox include aggravated and rudimentary. The latter manifests itself in a mild form with single rashes and normal body temperature. The engraved form, on the contrary, appears intensely and acutely. It also includes hemorrhagic, visceral and gangrenous chicken pox. Treatment in this case is carried out only in a hospital setting.
So what to do if a child has chickenpox?
Treatment
In children, chickenpox passes on its own within ten days. Children under seven years of age suffer the disease most easily. Treatment consists of symptomatic therapy, for this purpose antipyretic drugs are used, as well as ointments for itching. Immunostimulating and antiviral agents are used only if chickenpox occurs in moderate or severe form.
It is very important during the rash period to avoid suppuration of vesicles, which occurs when an infection of bacterial origin occurs. For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure that the child does not touch the rashes and in no case comb them. You can also cut the baby’s nails briefly and try to distract him with games or watching cartoons. Newborn children wear special gloves made of thin fabric. To reduce itching with chickenpox, children are prescribed antihistamine drugs.
Antiseptic drugs
Now we know how and where chickenpox begins in children. To avoid infection of wounds, children are prescribed various antiseptic drugs in the form of solutions, for example:
1. Alcohol solution of brilliant green.
2. Castellani liquid, or fucortsin.
3. Potassium permanganate.
It is convenient and effective to treat the skin with brilliant green, as in the future it will be possible to easily determine whether a new rash has appeared or not. If the child is sick in the summer, you can wash him once a day by rinsing with boiled water or by briefly bathing in a bath with a decoction of chamomile or potassium permanganate. This is to prevent secondary skin infection. It is strictly forbidden to use detergents, as well as rub the skin of a sick child with a washcloth or sponge. After bathing, it is necessary to wet the baby's body with a towel and treat the rash with an antiseptic solution.
Cool room
It is most optimal when the child is in a cool room during an illness. This will avoid overheating of the body and increased sweating. A hot room will provoke an increase in itching and the spread of infection. It is recommended that you change your baby’s bedding and clothes daily, especially if he is sweating a lot. Clothing must be chosen from natural fabrics, not restricting the movement of the child.
Antipyretic drugs
Antipyretic drugs for chickenpox are selected from those that contain ibuprofen or paracetamol. Acetylsalicylic acid with chickenpox is contraindicated, as it can lead to disruption of the liver, and in some cases to death.
For the period of treatment, the child should be observed, if possible, bed rest with diet and plenty of drink. Such a child can attend a kindergarten or school a week after full recovery. This is due to a weakening of immunity against the background of an illness.
Thus, chickenpox, although an unpleasant disease that causes significant discomfort, is harmless for the child, especially if it is mild.
We examined how a child develops chickenpox, how long it takes, how to treat a patient. We hope the information was useful to you.