Ветряная оспа или ветрянка - это тяжелая acute infectious disease triggered by the herpes virus of the third type. This type belongs to the category of viruses with one hundred percent susceptibility. It can be in three forms: mild, moderate and severe. How does chickenpox begin? The first signs of the disease are fever and a rash. It is considered a characteristic childhood infection, although adults also get sick. About how the chickenpox begins, how long the incubation period lasts, about the features of the course in children and adults, we will tell in the article.
The specificity of chickenpox virus
Chickenpox virus has a high degreevolatility and passes from person to person by airborne droplets. It dies when exposed to high and low temperatures, when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Perfectly preserved at room temperature. The virus is able to exist for a long time in the air, thus covering distances up to 20 meters.
Chickenpox incubation period
On average, the incubation period of chickenpox can last from 10 to 21 days. A number of factors affect its duration:
- The environment in which the infection occurred. Indoors reproduction of the causative agent of the disease occurs with greater intensity. Consequently, the virus accumulates and develops faster in the body.
- Immunity. In babies with poor immunity, the latent period is shortened, and the disease proceeds in severe forms.
- The number of viruses that entered the body.
- Age: in adults, the latent period of the disease lasts longer.
Chicken Pox in Children
How does chickenpox in children begin?Like other infectious diseases, chickenpox begins in babies in a latent form. After the virus enters the child’s body, it takes time to adapt. After that, the pathogen begins to actively multiply and accumulate foci in the body of the baby. The next step is the distribution of the virus throughout the body. At this stage, the first visible signs of chickenpox appear.
Signs that Chicken Pox Begins
Cough, runny nose, and mild fever.signs of beginning chickenpox in children. A sick child may lose his appetite, become moody and tearful. At this stage, chickenpox can be confused with acute respiratory infections. In the next stage, rash appears in the form of red pimples. The first eruptions originate on the scalp, face and neck.
Main symptoms of varicella
How does chickenpox begin? Symptoms are as follows:
- Initial manifestations are like a cold. Weakness, headaches, drowsiness and loss of appetite.
- Increased body temperature. У больного ветряной оспой температура тела rises from 37 ° to 38 ° C. In severe form, it can rise to 39 ° C and more. Temperature increases can last 3-5 days, sometimes a week. The entire period of the appearance of new lesions is accompanied by fever.
- Enlargement of lymph nodes. In a person suffering from chickenpox, in some cases it is possible to note the growth of lymph nodes. This happens when the virus enters the lymphatic system and begins to actively divide there.
- Rash. On this basis, anyone can recognize windsmallpox. Small red spots, like insect bites, appear on the 2nd day after the fever. Initially, rashes appear on the scalp, then on the face, neck and hands. Over time, a rash can cover all parts of the body, and even the mouth and the whites of the eyes. The rash is filled with fluid and turns into small pimples. After a couple of days, pimples begin to dry. In this place there are crusts that hold for another 1-2 weeks. Typical of chickenpox is the presence of several types of rash: spots, pimples and crusts.
- Severe itching. The appearance of new pimples is accompanied by severe itching. To avoid serious complications, pimples cannot be scratched. It is especially difficult to control babies who comb their wounds.
Easy form of windmill. Symptoms
Часто у детей-дошкольников встречается легкая form of chicken pox. In a baby who has a mild chickenpox, the temperature may not rise above 37.5 ° C or remain normal. It is not enough rashes and they practically do not cause inconveniences.
But even having been ill with chickenpox in a mild form, a person receives immunity to this disease. And re-infection with chickenpox is quite rare.
How does chickenpox begin in adults? First signs
Previously, chickenpox was considered only a childhood disease, in adults it was almost never met.
However, environmental degradation,destructive habits and frequent stresses led to malfunctions of the immune system. As a result, in our days, manifestations of childhood diseases in mature people have become much more frequent.
Развитие болезни у 18-летнего проходит так же, like people of retirement and pre-retirement age. But because of the chronic diseases that exist at this age in people over 50, there are more episodes with complications.
Where does chickenpox begin?
Chickenpox begins like the flu or the common cold,with general malaise. After that, reddish spots appear on the head and face. There is a strong intoxication of the body, as a result, the body temperature rises. The rash spreads throughout the body. In an adult, rashes often occur on the genitals, it is a source of acute pain when urinating. Initially, a vial of liquid appears on the rash, which bursts after a couple of days, leaving a dry crust. She, with proper treatment, will soon disappear.
In an adult, much more is producedrash than a child, and it lasts longer. The rash causes severe itching. But combing the rash during the chickenpox categorically impossible. In wounds, infection with a secondary infection can occur, which will leave scars on the body.
In adults, serious complications can occur that can affect internal organs and even the brain.
Chicken Pox Complications
The following complications may occur:
- Stomatitis. Sores in the mouth can lead to severe stomatitis.
- Vulvitis and inflammation of the flesh head of the penis. Rash and ulcers can lead to secondary infection of the genitals.
- Loss of vision Chickenpox bubbles may appear on the white of the eye. The bubble leaves behind a hem, which can cause deterioration or even loss of vision.
- Tracheitis, laryngitis and chickenpox pneumonia. Dense chickenpox on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract provoke sore throat and cough. Weakened immunity can cause chickenpox pneumonia.
- Encephalitis and meningitis. Chickenpox virus can damage nerve cells and the meninges. At the same time, the patient's movement coordination is disturbed. Possible loss of consciousness and nausea.
Chickenpox during pregnancy
The most wonderful period in the life of every woman is pregnancy. But at the same time, he is the most disturbing and exciting. During pregnancy, it is highly undesirable to get chickenpox.
If the expectant mother suffered chicken pox in childhood, you should not be afraid. The threat awaits those women who have not met with this virus.
In women carrying a child, the symptoms anddisease progression is the same as that of other people. The disease is in the same form, pregnancy does not provoke specific complications. The danger of infection with the virus of chickenpox for the expectant mother is primarily a threat to the baby. The most critical is the first trimester and the last week before childbirth.
How to protect your future mothers from chickenpox?During pregnancy planning, test for the chickenpox virus. If antibodies are missing, consider vaccination. In this case, the pregnancy will need to be postponed for a couple of months.
If pregnancy has already come, do vaccinationlate. In this case, try to exclude the presence in children's groups. After all, children suffer from chickenpox more often than adults. Do not contact with people who suffer from shingles, because the same virus is the causative agent of chickenpox as with this disease.
If you have had contact with sick chickenpox, immediately consult a doctor.
Features of the treatment of varicella
Chickenpox is a viral disease. Therefore, antibiotics do not give effect. It is justified only in the case of the development of a secondary bacterial infection.
Specialized medicines and specific treatment for this disease is not. But there are several methods that can help cope with chickenpox:
- If the body temperature rises above 38 ° C, it is necessary to take antipyretics. It is worth remembering that aspirin for chickenpox is contraindicated. His admission can cause liver disease.
- Frequent drinking plenty of fluids will help remove the virus from the body faster.
- Diet.During an illness, it is advisable to exclude fried, spicy, and sweet foods, alcohol, and caffeinated beverages. Such a diet complicates the process of treatment, the body spends a lot of effort on the processing of such food. Give preference to lean steamed food.
- Do not comb varicella. A bacterial infection can enter the damaged wound and cause complications.
- If itching cannot be tolerated, take antihistamines.
- Avoid suppuration of varicella can be using antiseptic agents.
- Do not wear heavy and cramped clothing. Give preference to cotton fabrics. This will allow the skin to breathe and save you from unnecessary discomfort.
- Change clothes and bedding more often. Take care not to sweat excessively. Damp sweaty underwear will increase itching and speed up the spread of the rash.
- Do not use washcloth or other detergents while bathing. Take a bath with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- Create a favorable microclimate. To prevent a viral infection from building up in the room, air every 3-4 hours. Watch for humidity and temperature.
If a chicken pox patient started vomiting,problems with breathing and partial loss of coordination of movement, immediately consult a doctor! Remember, self-medication may not give positive results, but only aggravate the situation. Only the attending physician can prescribe the appropriate therapy.
Patients with chickenpox should be excluded if possible.all contact with healthy people. The isolation period should last at least a week. In preschool and school general education institutions, quarantine of three weeks duration is announced.
