Chicken pox is one of the most common viral infections that almost everyone has known since childhood. And since such a disease is considered childhood, information on what are the main symptoms and treatment of chickenpox will be useful to each parent.
Chickenpox: causes and symptoms of the disease
The causative agent of the disease is the virus. The infection is transmitted exclusively by airborne droplets, therefore the infected person is the only source of the disease (even if the symptoms have not yet appeared). It is worth noting that the human body is extremely susceptible to such diseases. The patient is contagious from the day of infection and until the crust falls off. The incubation period of the infection is from ten days to three weeks.
Signs of chickenpox in a child are quite characteristic. The main symptom is a rash. First, reddish spots are poured on the skin, which quickly turn into watery vesicles. The rash usually appears on the trunk, scalp, limbs and face. The intensity of the rashes can be different - in some children there are only a few vesicles, the body of others is almost completely covered by them.
About the second or third day, the spots begin to dry out. In place of the rash, crusts now appear, which eventually disappear on their own. As a rule, after a week from them there is practically no trace left. The rash is accompanied by very severe itching. It is worth noting that you can not comb the skin in any case, because then scars may remain in the place of the rashes. In addition, it is very easy to bring infection into the wounds.
Another symptom of the disease is fever (up to 38 degrees). Although in some children, chickenpox passes without weakness and fever.
Treatment of chickenpox in children
First of all, when the first symptoms appear, you should call a doctor. Treatment of chickenpox in most cases does not cause difficulties, but for the safety of the child it is worth showing a specialist. The baby needs bed rest.
Wounds need to be constantly disinfected. For this purpose they are treated with brilliant green. Sometimes a weak potassium permanganate solution is used instead. These medicines not only have an antiseptic effect, but also accelerate the pouring of crusts.
The most common complication of the disease is suppuration of the skin. Remember that, despite severe itching, rashes cannot be combed. In addition, monitor the cleanliness of the patient’s nails and hands. It is recommended to change clothes and bed linen daily.
Quite often, a rash appears on the mucous membrane of the mouth - in such cases, it is necessary to carefully monitor the nutrition and hygiene of the oral cavity. Rinse your mouth with boiled water or chamomile broth as often as possible. If chickenpox affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, then special drops should be used, which the doctor will prescribe.
Treatment of chickenpox in most cases takes place at home. Hospitalization of the child is necessary only in case of complications. After the disease, the body develops a stable immunity. Re-infections are very rare.
Chickenpox in adults
Despite the fact that this viral infection is most common among children aged 2 to 10 years, the disease can also affect adults who have not had it since childhood. This childhood illness in adulthood is much more difficult. Quite often, patients need hospitalization. Symptoms remain the same - the skin is covered with a bubble rash, the temperature rises (almost up to 40 degrees). In addition, the likelihood of suppuration of the skin is much higher.
So how to treat chickenpox in adults? The basic principles are the same - process rashes with greenery, carefully monitor personal hygiene, clean clothes and linen. In the presence of suppuration, the doctor may prescribe a course of taking antibiotics.