Why is chickenpox dangerous in adult women? What complications can there be after chickenpox in children and adults? Clinical forms of chickenpox

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Chicken pox ( chickenpox) Is an infectious disease caused by a type of herpes virus. Chickenpox is considered to be childhood illness because most people tolerate it in preschool and school age. However, if the infection did not occur in childhood, then you can get chickenpox at any age.

Chickenpox outbreaks among adults often occur in closed groups, in the army among recruits, in boarding schools for people with disabilities. Also at risk are parents of preschoolers who do not have immunity. The incidence is independent of gender and race.

Chickenpox in adults has its own characteristics:

• adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease;
• intoxication is more pronounced than in children;
• the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above;
• the rash appears only on the 2-3 day of illness;
• rashes are numerous and can cover the entire surface of the face and trunk;
• in half of adult patients, elements of the rash suppurate, pustules form;
• at the site of deep inflammation, scars remain - pockmarks;
• complications occur in 20-30% of patients.

Chickenpox is especially difficult for patients with weakened immunity and people over 50 years old.

Causes of chickenpox in adults

The causative agent of chickenpox- human herpes virus type 3, or Varicella Zoster. A viral particle is a DNA molecule surrounded by a protective membrane of lipids.

The virus can exist exclusively in the human body. In the environment, it dies within 15 minutes. This is facilitated by drying, heating, freezing. The causative agent of chickenpox is not transmitted through things and third parties. Animals do not get chickenpox and cannot serve as carriers of the infection.

The main characteristics of the chickenpox virus that can infect a large number of people are volatility and susceptibility. Viral particles with air currents scatter and penetrate into neighboring rooms, apartments and from one floor to another. And the high susceptibility of people to the chickenpox virus means that almost all people who have not had a previous illness become infected upon contact with a patient. In a family where one person falls ill, the risk of illness for the rest of the household is 80-90%. Moreover, in those who became infected later, the disease is more severe and with a large number of rashes.

Source of infection and the main reservoir of infection is a person with chickenpox. There is a risk of infection from someone with shingles.

Infection routes- airborne and transplacental, when the virus is transmitted from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.

Incubation period- 10-21 days, more often 14-17. During this time, the virus multiplies on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and spreads through the lymphatic system.

Chickenpox immunity produced after an infection. Post-infectious immunity is believed to provide lifelong protection against infection. However, in some people, repeated cases of chickenpox are recorded, which is associated with a weakened immune defense.

What happens in the patient's body?

1. The virus multiplies on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
2. Its number is rapidly increasing. Through the palatine tonsils, the virus enters the lymphatic system, inhibiting its work and reducing the activity of T-lymphocytes.
3. The virus enters the bloodstream at the end of the incubation period. Viral particles and their metabolic products present in the blood cause fever, weakness and other signs of intoxication.
4. The virus enters the nerve ganglia - the nuclei of the spinal nerves, causing lysis (destruction) of nerve cells. In the future, the virus persists for life in the nerve ganglia. When immunity is weakened, it is activated and spreads along the nerve, provoking the development of shingles.
5. The virus settles in the cells of the epidermis. It causes the appearance of vacuoles - intracellular elements that resemble bubbles. Vacuoles of neighboring cells merge with each other, forming cavities, which are the basis of papules. These papules fill with fluid, which contains a large number of viral particles and protein molecules. The contents of the papules are a good breeding ground for bacteria, so the elements of the rash can fester. In this case, a pustule (a bubble with purulent contents) is formed at the site of the papule.
6. The bubble bursts, its contents are poured onto the skin. At the site of the bubble, a crust forms, under which the epidermis heals.
7. Starting from the first days of the disease, the immune system recognizes the pathogen and begins to produce immunoglobulins, which bind toxins and stimulate phagocytosis (absorption) of viral particles. In the future, anti-veterinary antibodies remain in the blood of a sick person for life. They provide protection against re-getting chickenpox.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults

Symptoms of chickenpox in adults are deterioration of the general condition, fever and maculopapular rash, accompanied by itching. The symptoms of the disease in adults are much brighter, and the disease is more severe than in children.

Several periods are distinguished in the development of the disease:

• Incubation period- the virus multiplies in the cells of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. There are no symptoms of the disease.
• Prodromal period- the release of the virus into the blood. Symptoms: fever, deterioration in general condition, weakness, loss of appetite.
• Rash period- the active phase of the disease, when the virus is localized in the epidermis. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash and itching, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
• Crusting period- the elements of the rash dry up. The body actively produces anti-wind antibodies, which ensure the binding of the virus and recovery.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults:

Symptom	Development mechanism	Manifestations
General intoxication	The toxins formed during the vital activity of the virus poison the nervous system.	Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength. Headache, aches in the lumbar spine and in large joints. Nausea, repeated vomiting. The first signs of chickenpox resemble the flu. In adults, intoxication is strongly pronounced.
Temperature increase	In the process of the death of viral particles, pyrogens are formed - substances that provoke an increase in temperature. A large amount of pyrogens enters the bloodstream during massive rashes.	Wave fever - during the period of illness, 2-3 rises in temperature occur, which coincide with massive dripping. The temperature rises to 38-40 degrees. The temperature with chickenpox in adults lasts 3-9 days, depending on the severity of the disease. Prolonged fever for more than 10 days indicates the development of complications.
Rash	Chickenpox is characterized by a maculopapular rash. Its appearance is associated with viral damage to the cells of the epidermis. The elements of the rash go through several stages in their development: spots, papules (nodules) and vesicles (vesicles). All of them can be present on one area of ​​the skin.	In adult patients, a chickenpox rash appears 2-3 days after the temperature rises. Spots. On the skin of the upper half of the body, rounded red spots appear, ranging in size from 3 mm to 1 cm. Papules(infiltrates) - nodules without a cavity, located in the center of the spots. They form within 2-3 hours. Vesicles- bubbles filled with transparent content. They have a hemispherical shape, located on a hyperemic (red) base. Formed in place of red spots, within 12-20 hours. Crusts are formed at the site of burst vesicles. On average, it takes 5-7 days from the moment the spot appears to the formation of the crust. Sprinkling occurs chaotically on any part of the body with an interval of 1-2 days. Their number varies from single in mild forms, to 2000 in severe disease. New rashes continue for 4-5 days.
Itchy skin	Changes in epithelial cells cause irritation of the sensitive nerve endings that are found in the skin. From them, a nerve impulse enters the central nervous system and is perceived by the brain as itching.	Itching appears at the same time as spots on the skin. He worries patients up to the formation of crusts. Itching is worse during night hours when there are fewer distractions.
Rash on the oral mucosa	In the cells of the mucous membranes, the same processes occur as in the skin.	The rash appears at the same time as the skin rash. Red spots 3-5 mm are formed on the mucous membrane of the gums, palatine arches and the soft palate. Over time, nodules form from the spot, and then bubbles. After a few hours, ulcers (aphthae) appear in their place, covered with a white-yellow bloom. The sores are very sore. Similar rashes appear on the vaginal mucosa in women. They cause severe itching and discomfort.

Classification of chickenpox in adults. Forms and stages

There are several classifications of chickenpox

1. By the severity of the course

• Mild form in 7-10% of patients. The temperature rises to 38 degrees. The general condition is satisfactory. The number of rashes is moderate.
• Moderate form in 80%. Temperature 38-39 degrees. Severe intoxication - weakness, nausea, vomiting, aching muscles and joints. The rash is profuse, accompanied by severe itching.
• Severe form in 10%. The temperature is 39-40 degrees. The general condition is severe, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, headache. The rash can cover the entire surface of the skin. Various complications develop. In severe form, there are several options for the course:
  • Hemorrhagic form. It is rare in patients with weakened immunity, who previously had hemorrhagic diseases - lesions of blood vessels: hemorrhagic diathesis, vasculitis, thrombocytopathy, blood clotting disorders. It is accompanied by the development of hemorrhagic rash (minor hemorrhages), hematomas, bruises, bleeding gums, intestinal bleeding.
  • Bullous form. Simultaneously with typical vesicles, large flabby blisters - bullae appear on the skin. They are filled with unclear contents and have a wrinkled surface. At the site of their resolution, long-term non-healing wounds remain.
  • Gangrenous form. It is extremely rare in severely malnourished patients, with poor hygiene and poor care. It develops when papules are infected and a secondary infection is attached. A black border is formed around the papules, consisting of necrotic dead tissue. The disease is accompanied by intense fever and intoxication.

2. By the type of disease course

• The typical form is manifested by intoxication, fever, and a characteristic rash.
• The atypical form has several variants of the course.
  • Rudimentary form - a rise in temperature to 37.5, single elements of the rash, which may look like spots or nodules. The disease often goes unnoticed.
  • The atypical forms include gangrenous, bullous and hemorrhagic forms described above.
• The generalized (visceral) form is associated with massive damage to internal organs. It occurs in people with weakened immunity when the virus multiplies in the cells of internal organs. Manifested by pain in the abdomen and lower back, severe damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.

Diagnostics

Examination by a doctor. As a rule, the diagnosis of chickenpox does not cause difficulties for a specialist. The doctor may suspect chickenpox in an adult for the following signs:

• A characteristic rash that appears against a background of fever and deterioration in general condition;
• Periodic dripping, which are accompanied by a rise in temperature;
• False polymorphism of the rash. On a limited area of ​​the skin, various elements of the rash are simultaneously present - spots, nodules and vesicles;
• Localization of the rash on any part of the body, except for the palms and soles;
• Rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals and conjunctiva;
• There was contact with a patient with chickenpox.

After examining the skin and mucous membranes, the doctor listens to the condition of the bronchi and lungs, feels the stomach, determines the size of the liver. The examination allows you to timely identify the presence of complications. In most cases, other studies are unnecessary.

• Bacterial superinfection of the skin caused by streptococci and staphylococci is the most common complication. In place of the vesicles, numerous boils, abscesses and phlegmon are formed. Patients need surgical treatment.
• Chickenpox pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by viral damage to the lung tissue and the formation of bacterial infiltrates. It develops in 20-30% of cases. It is characterized by fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain.
• The defeat of the internal organs. The virus multiplies in the cells of internal organs: spleen, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart. The defeat of several organs at once is characteristic. On the 3-5th day of illness, the patient's condition deteriorates significantly, there are severe abdominal pains. Lethality is up to 15%.
• Lesions of the central nervous system. It manifests itself 21 days after the onset of the disease. It is characterized by damage to the cerebellum, which is manifested by imbalance, which is especially noticeable when changing body position, trembling of the limbs, nystagmus (uncontrolled movements of the eyeballs). Encephalitis of a diffuse nature is also characteristic, the neurological consequences of which persist for a long time. Manifestations - headache, confusion and mental disorders, nausea, vomiting, epileptic seizures.
• Hepatitis Liver damage is a rare complication of chickenpox. It mainly develops in patients with immunodeficiency. Has a high mortality rate.

Prevention of chickenpox in adults

Prevention of chickenpox in adults has several directions:

• Specific prophylaxis. Chickenpox vaccination is given to categories of the population who are prone to severe chickenpox. In a number of regions of the Russian Federation, it is included in the vaccination calendar. More details about the groups to be vaccinated and the drugs are described below.
• Non-specific prevention of chickenpox is based on the timely isolation of the patient, which is a source of infection for others. He is isolated at home for 9 days from the moment the disease is detected. Further, the person is considered not contagious. There is no need to disinfect the patient's apartment. Enough daily wet cleaning and airing.
• Emergency prophylaxis of chickenpox is the administration of wind-pox immunoglobulin or live vaccine within 96 hours after contact with the patient (preferably in the first 72 hours).

Chickenpox in adults: symptoms, forms of the disease, complications, treatment, vaccinations - video

Answers to frequently asked questions

Should adults be vaccinated against chickenpox?

There are categories of adults who have not had chickenpox who are advised to be vaccinated against chickenpox:

• People who are preparing for organ transplants.
• Prone to severe chickenpox - hemorrhagic diseases, decreased immunity, age over 50 years.
• Patients at high risk of the disease. These include:
  • patients with leukemia;
  • receiving immunosuppressive therapy (including glucocorticosteroids);
  • patients with malignant tumors;
  • people with severe chronic pathologies - bronchial asthma, collagenoses, autoimmune diseases, chronic renal failure.
• People who are in close contact with patients at high risk of the disease - relatives, family members.
• Medical personnel, especially those working in infectious diseases wards.
• Employees of preschool educational institutions.
• Servicemen.

Vaccination with live vaccines is contraindicated:

• pregnant women;
• cancer patients;
• people suffering from AIDS and primary immunodeficiency conditions;
• receiving immunosuppressive therapy;
• with hypersensitivity to vaccine components and neomycin.

For vaccinations against chickenpox for adults, a specific immunoglobulin and a live vaccine are used.

Active immunization against varicella- the introduction of a vaccine based on the live attenuated virus Varicella Zoster. A specially treated pathogen causes a mild asymptomatic form of chickenpox. After this, specific immunoglobulins are produced, which remain in the blood, providing long-term immunity.

• Okavax is a Japanese-made chickenpox vaccine. Injected once subcutaneously into the deltoid muscle. The drug is approved for children from 12 months of age and adults. Suitable for emergency prophylaxis in the first 72 hours after contact with the patient.
• Varilrix is ​​a Belgian vaccine. The drug is injected subcutaneously into the deltoid muscle. For adults, the vaccine is administered 2 times: the first dose on the appointed day, and the second after 4-6 weeks. Allowed for adults and children from 9 months of age. Suitable for emergency prophylaxis during the first 96 hours after contact.

Passive immunization against varicella- the introduction of donor antibodies against the pathogen of chickenpox. They are obtained from the blood plasma of a convalescent (who had had chickenpox). Antibodies (IgG) neutralize the virus that is already present in the body. The drug does not contain the virus itself and does not provide long-term immunity, unlike live vaccines.

• Zostevir is a drug containing immunoglobulin against the varicella-zoster virus. Immunoglobulin against Varicella Zoster virus can be used for treatment and emergency prevention after contact with a sick person. It is approved for use from the first day of life, as well as for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

A blood test to detect antibodies to the Varicella-Zoster virus helps to determine the presence of immunity to chickenpox. The result will have to wait 6 days. A positive test result indicates that the person already has immunity against chickenpox and does not need to be vaccinated.

What are the first signs of chickenpox in adults?

The first signs of chickenpox in adults resemble flu symptoms:

• weakness;
• headache;
• loss of appetite;
• temperature increase;
• nausea and vomiting are possible.

The rash appears on day 2-3 of the fever. The first hours it is represented by red spots. Within a few hours, small elevations are formed in the center - nodules, which then turn into bubbles.

Is it possible to have repeated chickenpox in adults?

Recurrent chickenpox in adults is possible, especially in immunocompromised people. As a rule, the recurrence of the disease is milder.

Repeated chickenpox occurs in some categories:

• In people with weakened immune systems. This condition can occur with prolonged use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants;
• Those who have completed chemotherapy courses;
• Those who have suffered severe emotional upheavals;
• In people with diseases of the digestive system and profound nutritional disorders.

Sometimes, repeated chickenpox in adults is called shingles. This disease is caused by a virus that remains in the spinal nodes after the first chickenpox infection.

What does chickenpox look like in adults, photo?

The first days of chickenpox in adults is no different from the flu. On the 3rd day, patients develop a characteristic rash. It has a number of features that distinguish it from other diseases:

Is chickenpox possible without fever?

In rare cases, chickenpox without fever is possible. This is the so-called erased or abortive form.

Symptoms of the erased form:

• Slight malaise - weakness, decreased appetite;
• Single elements of the rash are a few red spots and nodules that usually do not turn into blisters.

Causes of chickenpox without fever:

• Weakened immunity. Viruses and their decay products do not elicit an adequate immune response.
• Chickenpox transferred at an early age (up to a year). In this case, chickenpox in an adult is considered repeated. There is a small amount of antibodies in his blood, which prevent the virus from actively multiplying and causing fever.
• Taking medications that lower the temperature. At the first symptoms of deterioration, many self-medicate and take drugs containing paracetamol. Thus, they bring down the temperature, and the picture of the disease is distorted.

How long does chickenpox last in adults?

The duration of uncomplicated chickenpox in adults is 9 days from the moment the first signs appear. After that, the doctor can close the sick leave.

In practice, in 90% of patients, the disease lasts 10-14 days:

• prodromal period (without rash) - 2-3 days;
• the period of the appearance of new rashes - 3-4 days;
• the period of crust formation is 5 days (from the moment of the appearance of the last rashes).

Only after the last vesicle has become covered with a crust is the patient considered non-infectious. The skin will completely clear of crusts in 2-4 weeks.

Do scars remain on the skin?

With an uncomplicated course of the disease, scars after chickenpox do not remain. The varicella-zoster virus affects only the upper layers of the epidermis, and the growth layer responsible for skin repair remains intact.

Scars appear when bacteria enter the bubble and purulent inflammation develops. In this case, the deep layers of the skin melt. After the crust falls off, a depression with uneven edges is found under it - pockmark. In the future, the "fossa" remains, but evens out in color with the surrounding skin.

How to prevent chickenpox scars?

• Compliance with the rules of hygiene - regular change of linen, showers;
• Treatment of the rash with antiseptics - brilliant green, fucorcin;
• Prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics when the first pustules appear.

What to do if you have chickenpox scars?

• Ointments and gels for the treatment of scars. 2-3 times a day rub a small amount of gel into the scar. For old scars, the gel is applied under the bandage at night. The course of treatment can take from 1 month to a year. For treatment are used:
  • Contractubex;
  • Aldara;
  • Kelofibraz;
  • Scarguard.
• Collagen injection under the skin. The substance fills the skin defect and stimulates the formation of connective fibers.
• Chemical peeling using phenol. Under the influence of aggressive chemicals, the stratum corneum of the epidermis and dermis is removed. After the restoration of the epidermis (takes up to 2 weeks), the skin becomes smooth.
• Laser skin resurfacing. A focused laser beam penetrates the surface layers of the dermis and heats them, evaporating the water. After the regeneration of skin cells, its surface is leveled. Caution: Treatment with a carbon dioxide laser can cause a hypertrophic keloid scar that rises above the skin. Therefore, an erbium or carbon dioxide laser is used.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection. The disease is caused by a virus and usually affects children under the age of 15. But about 10% of the total number of people infected are adults and adolescents. It is at this age that the course of the disease can be complicated by serious problems. Therefore, everyone who did not have chickenpox in childhood should have complete information about this infection and protect themselves from it as much as possible.

Features of chickenpox in adults

Many people think of chickenpox as an exclusively childhood infection that everyone gets once in a lifetime. This is not entirely true. Unvaccinated adults who have never had chickenpox remain at risk of infection.

The disease is caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is transmitted by airborne droplets or through direct contact with a rash.

Varicella-Zoster is unstable in the external environment, but very well protected inside the cells of the human body

The Varicella-Zoster virus (chickenpox) belongs to the herpesvirus family. Primary infection causes chickenpox, and reactivation of the virus in the body causes shingles.

If children tolerate chickenpox relatively easily and, as a rule, without consequences, then adults are likely to develop complications. At risk people with weakened immune systems:

• undergoing chemotherapy;
• have undergone organ or bone marrow transplants;
• HIV-infected.

The main danger of chickenpox is its extremely high infectivity. Even just being in the same room with a carrier of an active virus, a person gets sick in almost 100% of cases if he does not have immunity to infection. This is why an adult needs to know for sure if he had chickenpox as a child.

But what if the person does not own this information? There are three ways to find out:

1. The quickest and easiest way is to ask your parents. Mothers remember well all the illnesses of their child even after many years.
2. Children's medical record is the document where all information about diseases of an early age is recorded. Many parents take their children's medical records under signature for home storage after the child reaches 15 years of age. But important information is transferred from a child's card to an adult when it is issued.
3. If it turned out to be impossible to "obtain" information about one's childhood illnesses, there remains one more reliable way to find out the presence of immunity against chickenpox. To do this, it is necessary to pass an analysis for the presence of IgG antibodies in the blood (permanent immunity) to the Zoster virus. If the result is positive, the person may not worry about the possibility of infection. Negative - will indicate the lack of immunity to infection and the need for preventive vaccination.

Chickenpox during pregnancy

Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause complications for both the woman herself and the developing fetus. The risk of complications from chickenpox increases dramatically if a pregnant woman:

• smokes;
• sick with bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema;
• has been taking or taking steroids within the past three months;
• is for more than 20 weeks.

Chickenpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the development of complications in the fetus

A woman in a position can face really serious conditions, such as:

• pneumonia (pneumonia);
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain);
• hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).

Thanks to modern antiviral treatment and intensive care, such cases are rather an exception.

In most pregnant women who develop chickenpox, the fetus is not susceptible to harmful effects. Complications that can affect an unborn baby depend on which week of pregnancy the infection occurred:

If a nursing mother falls ill with chickenpox, then doctors, as a rule, advise to continue breastfeeding as usual, since passive immunity to the virus is transmitted to the child with the mother's milk. Thus, the baby either will not get sick at all, or will suffer mild chickenpox. At the same time, the rash on the chest should be covered in order to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus by contact.

At the first suspicion of chickenpox, for example, if a pregnant woman was in contact with or was in the same room with an infected person, she should immediately seek advice from a gynecologist-obstetrician.

Video: why chickenpox is dangerous for adults

Disease classification

Chickenpox occurs in different ways in people. Its forms are distinguished according to the severity of the flow:

1. Light (up to 10% of patients). Body temperature does not exceed 37.5-38 degrees. Moderate amount of pimples on the body and face. The patient feels well.
2. Medium severity (about 80%). Fever reaches 39 degrees. Itchy rash is pronounced. There may be signs of intoxication - a person is sick, vomits, he feels weak, chills, body aches.
3. Severe (less than 10%) is one of the variants of the atypical course of the disease. Heat up to 40 degrees. Profuse rash, which can be present not only on the skin, but also on mucous membranes, such as in the mouth. The patient often vomits, the head hurts badly. A severe form can manifest itself in one of three types of rashes:
   • hemorrhagic rash - the presence of small hemorrhages on the skin in addition to the classic chickenpox rash, usually affects patients with chronic diseases of the blood vessels (blood clotting disorders, inflammation of the vascular walls);
   • bullous rash - the appearance of blisters on the skin of a relatively large area, inside which fluid accumulates, a wound remains in their place, which takes a long time to heal;
   • purulent (gangrenous) rash - arises from the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection, the bubbles fill with pus, and a dark border (necrotic part of the tissues) may be present along the rim.

Severe forms of chickenpox are associated with dangerous complications during the course of the disease.

Generalized (visceral) is a rare form that is associated with the simultaneous damage to internal organs. It affects people with low immune status.

Mild and moderate forms of severity refer to the classic, or typical, course of the disease. Varieties of a severe form are ranked as an atypical course of a viral infection.

In addition, there is another atypical form. This is the so-called erased (rudimentary) chickenpox, when the temperature rises very slightly - no more than 37.5 o C - or remains normal at all, and only single pimples are noticeable on the skin. It is easy to miss or confuse with another medical condition.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults

The first symptoms of chickenpox appear between 10 and 21 days after exposure to the virus. Although the signs of chickenpox in adults are similar to those in children, they tend to be more serious.

Feeling unwell begins with body aches, headaches and fever. Symptoms of intoxication (nausea, vomiting) may be present, but not always. After a viral infection enters the body by the respiratory route, it primarily attacks the lymphatic system. Therefore, an increase in regional lymph nodes - on the neck, under the jaw - is a natural phenomenon.

Then, after 1-2 days, a characteristic rash occurs:

• first, bulging red or pink pimples appear on the skin;
• they soon turn into fluid-filled bubbles (vesicles);
• at the final stage of the disease, the blisters harden and form dried crusts.

The disease has an undulating character. Each wave is accompanied by the appearance of a new rash. Therefore, a person's body simultaneously contains elements of different stages of development.

Elements of chickenpox rash of different stages of development may be present on the skin at the same time.

First, the rash appears on the face and scalp, then spreads throughout the body. They can be not only outside, but also inside - on the mucous membranes of the mouth, trachea, intestines. For this reason, chickenpox can cause coughing and sore throat. Watery elements of a rash on the genitals is one of the possible signs of chickenpox, but they do not occur in isolation, but along with the lesion of the rest of the skin.

A rash with chickenpox appears not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals

A rash on the palms and feet with chickenpox does not occur.

If the spots on the skin are combed, then scars will remain in their place later. Eventually, the blisters dry out and form crusts before healing. Chickenpox usually resolves within 5 to 7 days.

Diagnosis of the disease

At the first suspicion of chickenpox, an adult should contact a therapist or infectious disease specialist. Clinical diagnosis consists in the physician's visual assessment of the elements of the rash and accompanying symptoms. Chickenpox patches are usually highly distinguishable, although they can sometimes be confused with other conditions, such as insect bites or scabies (a contagious skin condition that causes severe itching).

It is important for the patient to inform the doctor about the following facts, if they occur:

• the rash spreads to the mucous membrane of one or both eyes (affecting visual function);
• the area of ​​the rash turns red and the skin becomes hot, which indicates a possible secondary bacterial infection;
• the rash is accompanied by severe intoxication, cough, impaired coordination, temperature over 39 o C (severe course);
• there are family members who have not had chickenpox in the home or children under 6 months of age (potential hazard).

Clinical diagnosis of chickenpox is carried out by a doctor by visual assessment of the rash and questioning the patient about the symptoms

An immediate visit to a doctor after contact of a healthy person with a sick person is necessary:

• during pregnancy or if there is a newborn in the house;
• with a weakened immune system.

Chickenpox in these cases can cause serious complications if ignored.

If there are doubts about the body's resistance to the virus, the doctor will send for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which will show the presence of IgG antibodies to chickenpox. The analysis is carried out subject to the following rules:

• blood for research is given on an empty stomach;
• on the eve exclude alcohol, limit fatty foods, physical activity;
• the test is carried out before the start of any drug treatment or after its completion in 7-10 days, if it is impossible to cancel some medicine, then, referring to the study, the doctor makes the appropriate notes.

A positive test will indicate the presence of strong immunity to the Varicella-Zoster virus, therefore, infection is extremely unlikely.

A blood test for IgM antibodies to the virus (appear 3 days after the onset of the rash and indicate the acute phase of the course) is very rarely required. Virological examination of the contents of the vesicles of the rash is justified in especially severe cases, since it takes time.

Chickenpox must be differentiated from other diseases that are accompanied by a rash in a patient with a high fever.

Table: differential diagnosis of chickenpox

Common diseases (similar to chickenpox)	Characteristics
Coxsackie viruses type A	Enteroviruses that multiply in the gastrointestinal tract. The rash occurs a few days after the onset of the illness (high fever and painful sore throat). Children are more likely to be infected with viruses, but adults also get sick. The following symptoms are characteristic: fever; Painful blisters in the mouth (herpangina) Painful and itchy vesicles on the palms and soles of the feet blisters in the throat, around the tonsils.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome	Acute bullous lesions of the mucous membranes and skin of a toxic-allergic nature. It is characterized by ulcers and erosion of the mouth and lips, as well as the genitals and anus. The lesions in the mouth are extremely painful and reduce the patient's ability to eat and drink. Conjunctivitis occurs in 30%. The rash can also affect the face, torso, arms, legs, and soles, but is usually absent from the scalp. Other symptoms include: fever; sore throat; general weakness; aching muscles and joints.
Measles	Acute infectious viral disease. Harbingers and symptoms of the disease: heat; cough; runny nose; conjunctivitis; photophobia; measles rash on the oral mucosa, face, neck (4–5 days); a widespread rash all over the body (5-6 days).
Syphilis	Sexually transmitted systemic infectious disease. Common symptoms: malaise and weakness; headache; fever. Later symptoms: non-itchy bilateral symmetrical rash on the skin and mucous membranes (may be mild); chronic regional enlargement of lymph nodes; wide warts (warty growths of the skin); spotted alopecia (uneven baldness).
Rubella	Epidemic viral disease. It manifests itself initially as a rash on the face, which then spreads to the trunk and limbs, and later disappears within three days without spots and peeling. Forchheimer's sign occurs in 20% of cases and is characterized by small red papules on the surface of the soft palate. Other symptoms: subfebrile temperature; joint pain; headache; conjunctivitis.
Molluscum contagiosum	Smallpox virus infection. Affects skin and mucous membranes. Characterized by the appearance of nodules with a diameter of 1–5 mm flesh-colored - domed with a mother-of-pearl top, resembling pearls in appearance. They usually do not cause pain, but they may itch or irritate. In about 10% of cases, eczema develops around the lesions.
Mononucleosis	Herpesvirus infection. Common symptoms: subfebrile temperature; sore throat; white spots on the tonsils and back of the throat; muscle weakness and extreme fatigue; enlarged lymph nodes, their sensitivity; skin rash on the face, hands, sometimes all over the body; pinpoint hemorrhages on the skin.

Chickenpox treatment

Most cases of chickenpox require minimal treatment, usually taking action to relieve symptoms. The patient is at home until he feels better and the rash disappears. This will help not only to protect others from infection, but also to avoid possible complications yourself. Recovery takes about 7-10 days.

To avoid infection or the consequences in the form of scars, you need to control the urge to comb itchy areas. For example, in hot weather, sweat irritates already sore skin and makes it itch more. To soothe the epidermis, you can blot especially vulnerable areas with a soft cloth moistened with cool water from time to time.

The chickenpox rash lasts about 10 days

For the first few days, it is helpful to take a cool or warm bath every 3-4 hours. Oat extract bath products available in supermarkets and pharmacies can help relieve itching. You should not be afraid of water treatments, they do not contribute to the spread of the rash. After the bath, gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel. Effort or rubbing is highly discouraged.

Then you can lubricate the itchy areas on the body with a special calamine lotion - based on calamine and zinc oxide - it dries, disinfects and relieves irritation from the skin. However, it is not recommended to apply it on the face, especially near the eyes.

Calamine is a colorless lotion that soothes the itching of chickenpox and helps dry the blisters

Drug therapy

Prescription acyclovir-based antivirals (Valacyclovir, Pharmciclovir) are effective in shortening the duration of symptoms when taken within 24 hours of the onset of the rash. But they are not prescribed to everyone, but, as a rule, to people who are at risk of complications:

• pregnant women;
• smokers;
• HIV-infected;
• people undergoing chemotherapy or taking high doses of steroid drugs.

In addition, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and antipyretics (Paracetamol, Tylenol) and anti-allergic antihistamines (Suprastin, Benadryl) to relieve itching and swelling. Ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not recommended as they can cause adverse skin reactions during chickenpox infection.

Treatment of a chickenpox rash with brilliant green (potassium permanganate, alcohol tinctures) does not have a therapeutic effect, but is of a disinfecting nature. In other words, this is the prevention of the so-called secondary infection, which actually occurs extremely rarely, as a rule, in people with impaired immune system functioning.

In the treatment of viral fever - both in children and adults - it is strictly forbidden to take any drug containing acetylsalicylic acid. This threatens a serious complication called Reye's syndrome - acute liver failure and encephalopathy.

The sores that can form in the mouth with chickenpox often cause pain and itching due to the dense arrangement of sensitive nerve endings here. In these cases, the frequent use of local anesthetics (Kalgel, Kamistad-gel, Rotokan), as well as antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt, Furacilin, Potassium permanganate) is indicated.

With the development of complications (secondary skin infection or bacterial pneumonia), treatment is carried out with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It should be understood that antibacterial drugs are powerless against the virus itself.

Photo gallery: medicines prescribed for chickenpox

Valacyclovir is an antiviral agent that can significantly alleviate the course of infection
Suprastin is an antihistamine that helps to reduce the intensity of itching
Miramistin can treat all elements of a chickenpox rash in order to avoid the attachment of a secondary infection

Nutrition for chickenpox

During illness, it is recommended to drink as much fluids as possible to help the body get rid of the toxins produced by the virus faster. It will also help prevent dehydration at high temperatures. It is better to prefer plain water to sugary drinks. Sugar during this illness increases itching and inflammation, scientists have found.

Food should be cool and soft, as a rash in the mouth can make it difficult to chew.

In the acute period, it is advisable to avoid irritants:

• chemical (salty, spicy, sour food);
• physical (any hot dishes, hard nuts).

Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods has a beneficial effect on the immune system and increases the ability to effectively fight the virus. Healthy foods and drinks:

• steamed and stewed vegetables;
• light soups, broths;
• fruit cocktails;
• Applesauce (non-acidic)
• mashed potatoes;
• oatmeal;
• yogurt;
• kefir.

Drinking alcohol is highly undesirable during illness, as it will have at least two negative consequences:

• weakening of the body and deprivation of its nutrients;
• dehydration of the body and susceptibility to complications.

The danger of drinking alcohol with chickenpox is also due to the inadmissibility of its combination with pain relievers and antiviral drugs, the effect of which can change under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

Traditional methods

Home remedies for chickenpox can help relieve inflammation and reduce the itching sensation caused by rashes:

• Baking soda is widely available and inexpensive as antipruritic and anti-inflammatory. Apply it as follows:
  1. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a small amount of warm water (250 ml) and stir.
  2. Moisten a soft cloth with the resulting solution.
  3. Apply a compress to the itchy area.
  4. Leave to dry.
• An effective method for reducing itching and swelling of the skin is using natural apple cider vinegar. You can add about 250 ml of pure product to the bath or use about 2-3 tablespoons per glass of water for compresses. To do this, a soft tissue is moistened in a vinegar solution and applied to the skin. The product is not used on open wounds or injuries.
• A solution of 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water is an excellent gargle to help relieve a rash in your mouth.
• Natural honey is another great remedy for reducing inflammation, reducing the risk of scarring, and speeding up healing. The product must be fresh and of high quality. It should be applied to the inflamed skin area with a thin layer, warmed up a little, and left to absorb for at least 15 minutes.

Photo gallery: folk remedies for chickenpox

Compresses made from baking soda solution relieve itching and inflammation Natural honey applied to the skin reduces the risk of scarring after chickenpox A bath with the addition of apple cider vinegar will relieve swelling Salt is used to rinse with chickenpox rash in the mouth

Prognosis and complications of chickenpox in adults

Most people with chickenpox remain immune to the virus for life. But the virus itself remains in neurons for a very long time. Many years later, it is able to reactivate in the form of shingles, a painful blistering rash on the waist accompanied by tingling, numbness, and burning.

Shingles usually affects only one side of the torso and heals naturally within a few weeks. However, a complication known as postherpetic neuralgia can cause pain to persist for a long time even after the blisters have disappeared.

There is a shingles vaccine (Zostavax) recommended for adults aged 60 and older who have had chickenpox.

Shingles - a disease caused by reactivation of Varicella-Zoster

Serious complications of chickenpox in adults can be caused by the spread of the virus to other organs or the superimposition of a bacterial infection. These potentially include:

• bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissue, bones, joints, or bloodstream (sepsis);
• pneumonia;
• inflammation of the brain (encephalitis);
• toxic shock syndrome.

Disease prevention

Vaccination against chickenpox is the best way to prevent illness. It provides complete protection from the virus for almost 98 percent of people, and also significantly reduces the severity of chickenpox if a person does get sick. The procedure consists of two doses of the vaccine given four to eight weeks apart. Vaccination is done once in a lifetime, it is believed that stable immunity after vaccination lasts up to 30 years.

• health workers;
• school teachers;
• kindergarten teachers;
• workers in children's camps;
• military personnel;
• adults living with small children;
• women of childbearing age.

Vaccination against chickenpox is not given:

• pregnant women;
• people with weakened immunity;
• people who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic Neomycin, which are part of the vaccine.

The need for a vaccine should first be discussed with a physician. This is especially true for women planning pregnancy in the near future.

Chickenpox is traditionally considered a "childhood" disease, but this does not mean that it does not threaten adults. Chickenpox in adults develops much sharper and more dangerous than in childhood. If chickenpox passes in a mild form in childhood, then for adults it is more likely to be moderately severe or severe. Every year and closer to mature, old age, chickenpox is more and more at risk of provoking complications.

Causes of chickenpox in adults

Once you have had chickenpox, you can no longer be afraid of this infection. From chickenpox, a person develops strong immunity. That is why it is not a fiction, but absolutely real stories that familiar children are taken to visit each other, it is only necessary for one to become infected with chickenpox.

The chickenpox virus belongs to the herpevirus family and is called Varicella zoster... It spreads by airborne droplets, it is able to move in the air for meter distances. From room to room, including through ventilation, the virus, due to its small size, easily penetrates. The source of the virus is a person who is in a state of active illness or only at the end of the incubation period. The incubation period is estimated at 10-21 days from the moment of infection with the virus. Although the virus is characterized as increased infectiousness and volatility, it is not at all resistant to the external environment, which means that third parties and objects are not a source of infection.

From the first day of the symptoms that appear, a person needs strict quarantine, since the one who follows him in the elevator, corridor, and similar premises is already at risk.

At the same time, contact with a sick person for an adult and even a child does not at all mean a mandatory infection. The point is in the state of immunity. Of course, the immunity of an adult is stronger and more developed than that of a child, but sometimes it weakens too. The protective functions of the body may decrease against the background of a severe illness, treatment, severe stress and other unfavorable factors.

Another reason for the occurrence chickenpox in adults lies in contact with a patient with shingles in the acute stage. Being a virus related to shingles, chickenpox can also overtake someone with suppressed immune systems.

Pregnant women are at particular risk. Pregnant women are not vaccinated. If for the woman herself, the disease proceeds with exactly the same risks as for other adults, then the virus poses a particular danger directly to the fetus. As with most other infectious diseases, in the case of chickenpox, the greatest risks are in the first trimester of pregnancy and the days before childbirth:

• at the beginning of pregnancy, the chickenpox virus can lead to both involuntary abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, and a variety of congenital pathologies;
• from a woman giving birth in a state of illness, the virus can be transmitted to a newborn who is provoked by chickenpox pneumonia; it is dangerous and lethal.

If a woman has had chickenpox at the beginning of pregnancy, then subsequent ultrasound examinations and other diagnostic methods are aimed at identifying or excluding congenital anomalies in the fetus. If the virus reaches the end of the term, then an attempt can be made to delay the birth. In extreme cases, immunoglobulins are used, which contain antibodies to the causative agent of the disease.

Prevention of chickenpox in adults

The most reliable way to exclude the possibility of chickenpox for yourself is the presence of the disease in a life history. That is, having been ill for the only time - in childhood, youth and even adulthood - a person develops strong immunity, which does not allow him to get sick again. At the same time, chickenpox does not go unnoticed. The virus is "memorized" by nerve endings, and under unfavorable circumstances it manifests itself as shingles.

If you think that it is possible and necessary to have chickenpox, that this is an affordable way to prevent its severe form in adulthood, then remember that exacerbations of shingles are not limited to one time. This disease is no less unpleasant than smallpox itself. It is accompanied by unbearable burning pains.

In order to prevent neither chickenpox nor shingles subsequently, vaccination is an excellent way of prevention. The immunity formed from it cannot be called lifelong, but it is characterized as persistent and long-lasting. Is a vaccine needed at the moment, are there antibodies to the virus in the blood Varicella zoster after the previous vaccination, a blood test from a vein will show. In the presence of antibodies, the need for vaccination is eliminated.

The vaccine contains a live attenuated strain. It is performed in two injections, with a difference of 1-2 months. Suitable for both routine and emergency vaccinations. The latter is undertaken in the next 72 hours after the first contact with the patient. Vaccination is advisable both for an adult and for children over one year old. It is appropriate to vaccinate against chickenpox in combination with vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella.

Chickenpox vaccination can cause a number of side effects. Among the most common, but not at all necessary, side effects are the lightest symptoms of chickenpox, an increase in body temperature. However, this is not a reason to refuse vaccination. The real reason to think about the need for vaccination is likely to be an allergic reaction, in particular to gelatin and other components of the vaccine.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults

Symptoms chickenpox in adults is in many ways similar to the manifestations of the disease in childhood. However, each symptom is tolerated by the body an order of magnitude harder.

Chickenpox begins in adults suddenly, with an acute outbreak. Among the expressive features:

• general weakness and body aches,
• headache,
• nausea, sometimes vomiting, indicating the development of intoxication in the body,
• fever - the temperature rises sharply to 39-40 ° C,
• a specific sign of chickenpox in adults is considered to be an increase in lymph nodes - behind the ear and cervical - they reach the size visible to the eye, tense and become painful,
• and the most obvious sign of smallpox is a rash.

A rash during chickenpox in adults, as in children, is distinguished by some specificity:

• it itches and burns very much, literally depriving a person of sleep;
• starts from the abdomen and thighs;
• extends upward along the shoulders and chest;
• in the last turn affects the face and scalp;
• can spread not only along the skin, but also along the mucous membranes of the body - the oral cavity and the mucous membrane of the pharynx, sometimes even the mucous membrane of the genitals;
• a newly-onset rash is a small red bump, gradually transforming into a transparent vesicle;
• transparent bubbles at their base retain a red color, and inside they contain liquid;
• easily bursting, the bubbles turn into wet sores (vesicles), which are covered with a thin crust on top;
• several weeks may pass before the scab spontaneously rejects, which is considered the end of the disease.

The rash lasts 3-5 days. During this time, the first tubercles have time to burst and turn into sores, while the latter are just appearing. Often on the patient's body, one can simultaneously observe them, and red spots, and tubercles, and dried crusts. A person ceases to be potentially dangerous for those around him as soon as the last crust of the burst vesicle falls off.

Complications of chickenpox in adults

The most common complication of chickenpox in adults is skin infection from severe scratching of the itchy rash. Ideally, the rash does not need to be touched at all - scratching it, peeling off the crusts, squeezing out the contents (especially in a dream) - but this is quite difficult. You can damage the bubbles by simply rubbing the body with a towel. It is necessary to observe caution and maximum accuracy with rashes in order to prevent infection, suppuration, and sometimes necrotic processes in the pustules. If prematurely peeling off the crusts from the pustules, a so-called pock is formed, which eventually turns into a scar. It is necessary to be prepared for the fact that the rash from chickenpox in adults lasts longer, spreads more profusely, and the drying and rejection of the crusts is also longer.

There is always a risk of such severe forms of chickenpox as hemorrhagic and gangrenous. The first occurs due to damage to the blood vessels, and then the contents of the bubbles contain blood impurities. The second is caused by the processes of decay within the rash, and as a result, deep ulcers are formed with the highest risk of infection.

Other sources of infection on the skin and mucous membranes in case chickenpox in adults there is a risk of non-observance of banal hygiene measures, scratching the rash with dirty hands / nails, ignoring the use of special healing and antiseptic agents for external use, etc. The risk of infection of ulcers in adults is much higher than in children.

It is important to note that pustule infection is not the only hazard posed by the varicella-zoster virus. In adults, and even more so in adolescence and old age, the risk of developing the following complications of chickenpox increases significantly:

• chickenpox pneumonia - the penetration of the virus into the bronchopulmonary system is more often observed in people with impaired immune system, especially in adolescents and pregnant women;
• loss of vision, optic neuritis - if the smallpox virus spreads to the cornea of ​​the eye due to poor hygiene (for example, if you rub your eyes with your hands immediately after combing the papules), the rash can even appear on the white of the eye, as well as on the temples, under the eyes and above over the centuries; in this case, scars will remain in place of the bubbles, this affects the state of vision up to its complete loss;
• arthritis or joint inflammation occurs if the virus enters the joint capsules, the joints themselves; pain, like aching muscles, goes away with the neutralization of the rash;
• meningitis and encephalitis, damage to the cerebellum and cranial nerve nuclei - an unfavorable course of chickenpox that occurs when the varicella-zoster virus reaches the nerve cells and meninges; the main symptoms are headache, nausea, convulsions, loss of consciousness, impaired coordination of movements and a sense of balance, paralysis of the facial muscles;
• chickenpox tracheitis or laryngitis is the main course of chickenpox in adults, less often in children, accompanied by cough and sore throat; this will occur if rashes develop on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and pharynx, and they are profuse;
• acute stomatitis - pesters the patient when chickenpox sores are localized on the oral mucosa and gums;
• vulvitis in women and balanoposthitis in men develop when a bubble rash occurs on the genitals.

How is chickenpox treated in adults?

First of all, the disclaimer concerning the business and the employed. If, at the first sign of chickenpox, the parents are in a hurry to leave the baby at home, then among adults there will certainly be those who would like to ignore and endure an outbreak of chickenpox "on their feet". Most likely, your attempt will fail. On the 3-5th day of illness, at least fever and body aches will make you stay in bed.

At the same time, in the last days of the incubation period and in the first days of an exacerbation of the virus, it will be possible to find strength at the usual pace of life. Do not make such an oversight, even if there are many urgent matters. Think not about yourself, but about the people with whom you will contact. Within this time frame, you are the source of the virus. If you have had the carelessness of contact with an adult or child with obvious signs of chickenpox, be attentive to your well-being for the next 10-21 days. The most reasonable thing is to get vaccinated in the first three days after contact.

If the infection could not be avoided, if you stayed at home in bed, then the treatment of chickenpox is not limited to this. It would be advisable to consult a specialized specialist, but it is strictly not recommended to go to the clinic for a patient with chickenpox. You need to call a doctor at home and inform the dispatcher about the details of your clinical case.

After the examination, the therapist will make an appropriate conclusion and open the sick leave. It will be possible to close it only when the doctor makes sure that there are no pustules or dried crusts left on your body. Parents whose child has more chickenpox are also given a sick leave. The goal is to always minimize the risks of infection for persons in contact with the source of the virus.

As for the treatment itself, in the overwhelming majority of cases it is symptomatic. That is, agents are prescribed to relieve the itching and burning of the rash. Usually these are drugs based on antiviral components, interferon. If the doctor sees the addition of an infection to the wounds, he can prescribe antibiotics, both for oral administration and for local use. Another symptom that requires pharmaceutical exposure is body temperature. It rises sharply and up to the borderline permissible values ​​(39-40 ° C). In no case can you tolerate such a temperature, and therefore antipyretic drugs are prescribed, for example, based on ibuprofen or paracetamol.

As already noted, chickenpox in adults with maximum risks can become infected. This is the most common complication. To prevent it, you need to "dry" and disinfect the wounds that are constantly formed during smallpox. A solution of brilliant green or calamine lotion (this is a colorless antiseptic) does an excellent job with this task. If rashes are found in the mouth, then the mucous membrane is shown to be treated with rinsing agents containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you avoid getting scars from chickenpox in adults failed, then laser hair removal methods will come to the rescue. This is the surest way to normalize your skin condition.

Chickenpox in adults is quite rare, diagnosed in no more than 10-12 percent of the adult population. Let us consider in more detail the course of chickenpox, the incubation period and infectiousness in adults.

The causative agent of the infection is the herpes virus Varicella Zoster (Varicella Zoster). The virus is highly infectious and mainly affects adults who have not had chickenpox in childhood.

Features of the disease in adults

Important: The main route of infection with chickenpox is through airborne droplets. The infection is quite volatile, and even a slight contact with the patient is enough for infection.

The life expectancy of Varicella Zoster is very low, the pathogen dies in a short time in the open air and under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. For this reason, it is much easier to get chickenpox indoors than outdoors. The largest foci of infection are recorded in preschool and school institutions, where a large number of healthy children become infected within a few days.

In childhood, having had chickenpox, a person acquires immunity to infection, and lifelong. But in some cases, the disease can manifest itself again, since the virus itself remains in the body forever, simply becoming inactive. The main reason for re-infection with chickenpox is a significant weakening of the immune system.

Chickenpox in adults: incubation period and infectiousness

A person carries a danger to others a few days before a rash appears, which appears no earlier than 10-20 days after the virus enters the body. So an adult with chickenpox is contagious already at the end of the incubation period. Approximately 80% of infectious diseases have a latent (asymptomatic) period.

The incubation period of chickenpox in an adult patient has no symptoms, does not require treatment, and most often includes three stages:

1. The beginning of the incubation period. This stage includes the time when a healthy person had contact with a patient in whom the virus proceeded in an acute form (meaning the presence of rashes on the patient's body). 3 days are added to the date of direct contact - the time it takes for the infection to adapt.
2. Incubation period. Right now, the causative agent of the virus is actively multiplying in the human body. Initially, the virus infects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, after which it adapts by infecting other cells.
3. End of the incubation period. The end of the period indicates that the infection reaches its maximum, which allows it to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. At this period, the herpes virus infects skin cells, due to which the main symptom of the disease is manifested - a rash. An increase in body temperature indicates an active resistance to infection by immunity.

As a rule, the duration of the incubation period of chickenpox in adults is from 7 to 25 days, the duration depends on various reasons. The amount of virus that has entered the body, as well as the site of infection, is of great importance. Note that indoors, the amount of the virus is much higher than outdoors.

According to medical research, the incubation period of chickenpox in adults does not always take place in three stages. Quite often, the disease begins to manifest itself already in the first or second.

The insidiousness of the disease lies in the possibility of its latent course. It so happens that chickenpox in an adult patient is asymptomatic, while minor rashes are observed, which can even be mistaken for an ordinary allergic reaction.

In adults, the incubation period of chickenpox is considered over if any symptoms appear: fever, rash, general deterioration.

Chickenpox in adults: signs of the disease

As the infection develops and the body is damaged by the virus, the patient begins to complain of a deterioration in well-being, poor sleep, and unnaturally rapid fatigue. Literally a day before the appearance of the rash, the patient's condition can deteriorate sharply: the body temperature rises (often up to 40 degrees), sweating increases, and chills appear.

As you already know, the first signs of infection are characteristic rashes on the skin, accompanied by itching. The herpes virus infects epithelial cells and mucous membranes, resulting in edema, as well as a red-pink rash. These symptoms mean that the incubation period is over and chickenpox in adults requires urgent treatment.

The standard symptoms of chickenpox include the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature (38-40 degrees);
• headache turning into migraine;
• general weakness, malaise;
• pain syndrome localized in muscle tissues;
• feeling of nausea, vomiting;
• convulsions, especially at night.

During the development of the infection, the rash also undergoes certain changes:

• in 99 percent of cases, the chicken rash in adults spreads to the mucous membranes, as well as the genitals;
• new rashes appear on the body every 7-10 days;
• at the peak of the maximum number of rashes, body temperature can reach 40 degrees;
• a rash in an adult patient is most often susceptible to the development of a purulent process, because of this, the elements may not heal for a long period. In more severe cases, tissue necrosis may develop.

Treatment methods for chickenpox in an adult

If chickenpox in an adult patient proceeds in an uncomplicated form, then antiviral drugs are prescribed, for example, Acyclovir. Further, symptomatic treatment is carried out. In some cases, therapy of the disease can be carried out in a hospital setting.

Chickenpox or the varicella-zoster virus primarily affects young children. In adults, this disease occurs only in 10% of cases. The difference is that after 20 years it is much harder to tolerate. The consequences of chickenpox in an adult can affect vital organs. You should know how to behave correctly with this disease in order to be able to avoid unpleasant and dangerous complications.

Children with chickenpox are still protected by maternal immunity, and if a woman has previously suffered this disease, the child has a mild form of it. The adult has its own immunity, the body has not previously encountered the virus, which is why the symptoms of the disease are more pronounced, and the person is more difficult to tolerate the disease.

Chickenpox in everyone proceeds in 4 stages:

1. Incubation.
2. Premonitory.
3. The period of rashes.
4. The period of crust formation.

If in a child it is mild, then for adults this disease can be a harbinger of severe complications, especially in people with weakened immunity.

Chickenpox in adults

Features of symptoms

Signs in an adult are similar to those of chickenpox in children, but the risk of complications is much higher. After 20 years, the incubation period of the disease lasts longer, more than 2 weeks, and symptoms may appear only 3 weeks after contact with the patient, then a chickenpox rash appears.

On the body of an adult unprotected by maternal immunity, more active rashes appear, they itch strongly and spread quickly. At the same time, there is a syndrome of intoxication.

What are the typical manifestations of chickenpox in an adult:

• weakness and body aches;
• headache;
• general malaise;
• nausea;
• insomnia;
• an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
• constant thirst;
• enlargement of the cervical and behind the ear lymph nodes;
• rash all over the body, including mucous membranes.

With chickenpox in adults, the rash also has characteristic differences. Bubbles appear on the skin and mucous membranes, starting in the abdomen and legs, then spreading to the upper torso and head. At first, the element of the rash is a small red bump, then it becomes a bubble with liquid.

With a certain frequency, the bubbles burst, turn into vesicles covered with a crust. Its rejection can occur for several weeks, that is, until the moment of recovery.

Rash with chickenpox, photo number 2 - mild form

The rash is very itchy, and the person can comb it. This increases the risk of skin infection and spread of the herpes virus throughout the body. Recovery is the moment when the last vesicle crust falls off.

Why chickenpox is dangerous for adults

The most common complication of chickenpox is body scars. They are not dangerous for health, but they affect a person's appearance, provoking psychological discomfort. Their formation is due to the fact that the patient scratches the rash, which causes an infection to enter the wound. Infection becomes a factor in the formation of ulcers, which leave behind scars.

Among the possible consequences of chickenpox are:

1. Visual impairment, optic neuritis - the virus, if personal hygiene is not observed, can spread to the cornea, and then rashes can be observed even on the white of the eye, and bubbles appear above it, then scars, which affects vision.
2. Brain damage - with an unfavorable course, there is a risk of damage to nerve cells and membranes of the brain, which will manifest itself as headache, seizures, loss of consciousness, paralysis of the facial nerves.
3. Laryngotracheitis - manifested by soreness in the throat, a tearful cough, which is explained by the appearance of a rash on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract.
4. Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle, a serious complication that requires immediate specialist assistance.
5. Stomatitis - bubbles also form on the oral mucosa, bursting, they lead to the formation of ulcers with severe soreness and inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Complications occur more often in adults with a weakened immune system. Moreover, the older the person is, the more difficult it will be to undergo treatment. As soon as it was possible to notice signs of complications of chickenpox in adults, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Chickenpox pneumonia

A specific complication of chickenpox in adults is chickenpox pneumonia. It occurs in 20% of patients, mainly with a weakened immune system. Its symptoms can be observed 3-5 days after the onset of the rash.

Chickenpox pneumonia is manifested by an increase in body temperature, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath. The diagnosis is confirmed by radiography and virologic examination.

With a severe form of the disease, a patient with sputum begins to bleed, it becomes difficult to breathe, and severe headaches appear. The symptomatic complex is complemented by nausea, vomiting, and fever. Without treatment, hemoptysis and severe shortness of breath can become fatal factors within several days. Respiratory failure will be the cause of death in this case.

Chickenpox encephalitis

The risk of developing chickenpox encephalitis in adulthood increases one week after the rash appears. Against the background of active rashes, nausea, vomiting occur, severe intoxication and headaches disturb.

Chickenpox encephalitis is characterized by neurological and meningeal symptoms. The patient is worried about being stunned and confused.

Shingles

What else is interesting about this disease is the likelihood of late consequences. Another complication after chickenpox in adults is shingles. The virus is memorized by the body, a stable lifelong immunity is formed. However, under the influence of adverse factors, it manifests itself as shingles.

Shingles

If chickenpox occurs only once in a lifetime, then shingles may recur. This disease is accompanied by terrible pain, because the skin is damaged along the nerve trunks. In most patients, the characteristic elements of the rash appear on the trunk.

The disease is usually manifested by itching, fever, severe weakness, and malaise. The pain is neurological in nature. This disease lasts for about a month (in some cases up to 10 days). In this case, the pain may persist even after recovery.

When this complication occurs after chickenpox, there are several tasks:

• reduce the severity of painful sensations;
• reduce the likelihood of postherpetic neuralgia;
• accelerate the onset of recovery;
• prevent complications.

Drug treatment is not always required. Antiviral therapy is more often prescribed for people with immunodeficiency and after 50 years. The effectiveness of this treatment for young people has not been proven. In severe cases, hospitalization is required. The indications are eye and brain damage.

The consequences of chickenpox in women

Vulvitis is an inflammation of the female external genital organs. It is this disease that can occur if the rash begins to spread to the mucous membranes. With this complication of chickenpox, a woman begins to have abundant discharge, the labia are swollen, and painful sensations appear.

This consequence of chickenpox in women is dangerous because the infection can spread to internal organs. With such a complication, it is imperative to visit a gynecologist, otherwise there is a risk of infertility.

Pregnant women are also at risk for the disease. Immunity weakens during this period, and diseases can have serious consequences, both for the expectant mother and for the fetus. An important role is played by the prevention of chickenpox during pregnancy planning and throughout its entire period.

The consequences of chickenpox in men

Balanoposthitis is an inflammation of the glans penis. This is a consequence of chickenpox in an adult male, when the rash began to spread to the external genitals. With this disease, the patient suffers from severe itching, inflammation and swelling of the tissues.

With such a complication of chickenpox, a man should undergo treatment by contacting a urologist. Without special therapy, phimosis may occur, in which surgical intervention is indicated.

How to avoid complications

The first important measure for the prevention of complications of chickenpox in an adult is the timely initiation of antiviral therapy. At the first symptoms of the disease, you need to call a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Rules of conduct for chickenpox to prevent the consequences:

• bed rest - the patient is isolated from others for the entire period of the disease, in addition, he must be warm, avoid drafts, temperature changes;
• plentiful drink - you need to drink a lot of clean water, juices, teas, fruit drinks in order to reduce the manifestations of intoxication of the body;
• carry out hygiene procedures - you need to take a shower every day without using a washcloth.

During the period of active appearance of rashes, in no case should you use a washcloth and hard towels. You should try to avoid any damage to your skin. It is also forbidden to peel off the crusts on your own.

There are cases when adults, trying to hide the disease in order to continue working, almost completely ripped off all the bubbles with a hard washcloth and a towel. This is extremely dangerous as it can cause extensive skin infections with dire consequences.

Recovery, if the disease proceeds without complications, occurs approximately 2 weeks after the onset of the rash. With a severe form of chickenpox, this period can drag on for a month or more, then treatment in a hospital is indicated.

Chickenpox in adults - symptoms and treatment

You should not be afraid of chickenpox at any age, because knowing the features of its treatment and prevention of complications, you can avoid unpleasant consequences and remain with clean skin without scars. If the disease is difficult, it is important to consult a doctor who will prescribe special treatment. What you definitely shouldn't do is ignore the disease.

Complications of chickenpox in adults

Chickenpox is a worldwide viral infection that affects both adults and children. Mostly, this infection is sick in childhood. The main peak in the incidence of chickenpox in children is from 3 to 10 years. Those who had chickenpox in childhood are lucky because, often, the disease proceeds easily and without any complications. In adulthood, chickenpox can become a serious threat to human health. In this article, we will look at the possible complications of chickenpox in adults, and also talk about how to avoid complications.

Complications of chickenpox in adult men and women

Complications can occur due to various factors, but in people with a normal immune system, complications are usually rare. What complications can adults have? Complications of chickenpox are divided into 2 types:

Bacterial complications. They appear as a result of pathogenic bacteria entering the wounds. This happens, as a rule, when combing the rash or any other effect that violates the integrity of the chickenpox;

Infectious complications. They arise due to the extensive damage to the whole organism by the virus. The risk group includes adults with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency and persons with suppressed immunity, due to the passage of specific treatment courses (for example, after chemotherapy);

Bacterial complications include:

Suppuration of the rash, accompanied by an increase in temperature. As a rule, this is accompanied by the appearance of skin edema, and the skin around the rash thickens and grows. In the absence of timely medical intervention, necrosis may develop. Often, after such a complication of chickenpox in adults, deep skin disorders in the form of scars remain for life;

When bacteria enter the circulatory system, they are spread throughout the body, which can provoke bacterial damage to any organs. This can cause the following bacterial complications in the presence of chickenpox:

Bacterial pneumonia (occurs when bacteria attack the lungs of a person). It is accompanied by a rise in temperature up to 40 degrees and a dry cough, which gradually develops into a wet one;

Bacterial encephalitis (caused by bacteria in the brain). It is characterized by an increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, there may be impaired coordination of movements, headache, delirium, etc.;

These complications are the most common in chickenpox, belonging to the category of bacterial.

Not so long ago, in the medical world, it was believed that the chickenpox virus infects only the upper layers of the skin and mucous membranes of a person, but recent studies have revealed that the infection affects the entire body, including internal organs, the nervous system and the brain, which leads to infectious complications in adulthood.

Infectious complications are more dangerous, since they are more intense and, for this reason, medical intervention is often out of time. Infectious complications of chickenpox are as follows:

• Viral tracheitis or laryngitis. They arise as a result of excessive damage to the mucous membranes of the throat by the chickenpox virus. At the same time, multiple herpes-like rashes appear in the throat, accompanied by pain and discomfort;
• Chickenpox pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by extensive damage to the respiratory virus. Often, the course of such a complication proceeds imperceptibly for the patient, but in severe cases, pneumonia is accompanied by a constant cough, with the possible appearance of blood;
• Acute stomatitis. It develops as a result of the appearance of numerous ulcers in the mouth, accompanied by unpleasant sensations and pain when chewing food, since in the oral cavity, including the gums and palate, there is a partial destruction of mucous tissues;
• Viral encephalitis or meningitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by infection. It is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, patients may experience acute headache, impaired musculoskeletal functions, delirium, vomiting, muscle cramps and spasms;
• Joint inflammation (infectious arthritis or arthrosis). It is characterized by pain in the joints. As a rule, it passes along with the infection, but exacerbations may appear in the future;
• Viral lesions of the kidneys, heart, liver;
• Infectious inflammation of the foreskin (in men) and inflammation of the labia - vulvitis (in women). It occurs due to the abundant appearance of a herpes rash in the genital area, accompanied by pain;

Complicated or atypical chickenpox

The most dangerous forms of chickenpox, which appear for the same reasons as complications, are:

Gangrenous form of chickenpox. It occurs due to pathogenic bacteria entering the wounds when scratching the rash, which later enter the bloodstream. With this form of complicated chickenpox, a transformation of the rash is observed (the bubbles become cloudy, due to the ongoing purulent processes in the skin epithelium and increase slightly in size), the body temperature increases to 40 degrees and above. Perhaps the appearance of delirium, impaired coordination of movements, involuntary twitching of the limbs or individual muscle groups, nausea, vomiting. The consequences of this form of the disease are necrosis of skin tissues, in the worst case, gangrene and loss of limbs. In the absence of proper drug treatment, sepsis may develop. The gangrenous form of chickenpox is fatal;

Hemorrhagic form of chickenpox, photo. It occurs as a result of the complete defeat of the whole organism by the virus. In this case, a change in the chickenpox rash is observed (an admixture of blood appears in the liquid contained in the bubbles, the rash itself slightly increases in size), the appearance of skin hemorrhages, nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the sclera, urine and stools with an admixture of blood, etc. The temperature reaches 40 degrees and above, acute headaches, vomiting, central nervous system disorders, involuntary movements, delirium and so on. This form of the disease is fatal;

Note that the appearance of the above presented forms of chickenpox is very rare today.

Complications after chickenpox

There is another possible complication that could appear decades later. This is herpes zoster or herpes zoster. If you look, then this is a separate disease, but some medical sources believe otherwise.

The fact is that after transferring the disease, even in childhood and in a mild form, there is a 15% chance that you will again meet the manifestation of the varicella-zoster virus, since it does not completely eliminate, but remains with the person for life. hiding in the cells of the nervous system. For the time being, the virus is not active and does not interfere with life, but with a decrease in the activity of the immune system, the pathogen of chickenpox will manifest itself again, but already in the form of herpes zoster. This disease is characterized by unilateral herpes-like rashes on the body, accompanied by itching and pain. Itching and rash disappear after 2-4 weeks even without therapy, but pain can persist for several months or even several years. This is called "postherpetic neuralgia."

How to avoid complications with chickenpox

In order to prevent possible complications from appearing, it is necessary to consult a qualified specialist at the first onset of symptoms and signs of the disease. Your doctor will prescribe the best treatment for your chickenpox case. These recommendations must be strictly followed.

To exclude bacterial complications, it is enough not to scratch the rash and not overcool.

However, to prevent this from happening with a 100% guarantee, it is worth considering preventive vaccination against chickenpox. This method contributes to the development of stable immunity against the pathogen of chickenpox and excludes possible complications.

In this article, we have presented an incomplete list of possible complications of the infection.

Are there any cases of the course of chickenpox with complications? There are, but thanks to modern methods of treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, it is extremely rare.

When do complications appear? With the wrong and untimely treatment.

Today, medicine offers a wide range of external remedies for the treatment of the characteristic rash with.

In this article, we will talk about how to get chickenpox at home. To do this, we need to find out Thu.

Chickenpox is a familiar viral infection, accompanied by an increase in temperature and characteristic skin.

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs, in most cases, with an increase in topics.

Krasnoyarsk medical portal Krasgmu.net

How does chickenpox manifest in adults? Treatment of chickenpox in adults. Features of the course of chickenpox disease in adults. Features of chickenpox in adults. Most adults have had chickenpox during childhood. And if you didn't have chickenpox as a child? Treatments for chickenpox. Diet for chickenpox in adults. How is chickenpox treated in adults? How to relieve itching with chickenpox? Chickenpox in adults is an acute illness that is infectious in nature.

In adults, chickenpox is more complex, for example, intoxication is stronger, fever is longer, and there is a high likelihood of suppuration. Chickenpox is a disease caused by the herpes virus type 3. The difference between chickenpox in children and adults is only in the severity of the course. Chickenpox in adults is more severe than in children. How does chickenpox manifest in adults? You have been diagnosed with chickenpox. Chickenpox during pregnancy: what is the danger to the baby? Chickenpox in adults: serious complications of childhood illness. Chickenpox in children: you just have to get over it. Chickenpox - incubation period The incubation period is on average 10 to 21 days.

Adults rarely get chickenpox, as most of them have had it in childhood. But if a person escaped infection in childhood and became infected as an adult, then the disease can be very difficult and give various complications. It is especially undesirable for pregnant women to get chickenpox. During chickenpox, the following periods are distinguished: incubation, prodromal period, periods of rash and crusting. The incubation period for patients aged 30 years is 11-21 days, up to 30 years 13-17 days (average 14). The incubation period of chickenpox (the incubation period of chickenpox) ranges from 10 to 23 days, averaging 13–17 days. The incidence of chickenpox increases in the winter-spring period.

Adults overwhelmingly had chickenpox during childhood. And those who did not get chickenpox in childhood do not have to get sick at all - this is hindered by the good immunity of adults.

The main symptoms of chickenpox in adults

Chickenpox is usually more severe in adults than in children. After the incubation period (from a week to three weeks), the patient suddenly has a high temperature, it can last up to three days. At this time, you can think about any diagnosis - from an atypical viral infection to pyelonephritis. After a while (this period may be different), pinpoint or larger nodular red raised rashes may appear on the skin. This is the so-called resh - scarlet-like or measles-like rash. After a while, the resh disappears and a typical blistering rash appears instead. Sometimes bubbles appear when the resh has not yet gone through. Vesicles are about 2-3 mm in size, but many are much larger, up to 1 cm in diameter.

Severe chickenpox

There are also severe forms of chickenpox, for example, a hemorrhagic form, with damage to the walls of blood vessels. In this case, the contents of the vesicles on the skin become bloody, the temperature rises to particularly high numbers. With a rash on the gastric mucosa, bloody vomiting may begin, and with a rash in the nasopharynx, nosebleeds may occur. There may also be hemoptysis, blood in the urine.

Chickenpox treatment in adults

Treatment of chickenpox in adults is not much different from the treatment of chickenpox in children. Elevated body temperature must be brought down with antipyretic drugs. And then it is necessary to relieve the itching and reduce the likelihood of scratching the wounds and introducing a bacterial infection. For this purpose, you can use antiseptic agents (in particular, brilliant green, yellow rivanol and methylene blue), or desensitizing drugs (diazolin, suprastin, tavegil, etc.). Antiseptics can speed up the healing and drying of wounds.

To avoid various complications, it is necessary to observe strict bed rest, monitor personal hygiene, as well as cleanliness of bed linen and nails. As with any disease, chickenpox in adults permeates an abundant drinking regime - this contributes to the quickest elimination of toxins from the body and accelerates recovery. You should also adhere to a dairy diet, and exclude fatty and fried foods from the diet.

Chickenpox in adults can cause the following complications:

Chickenpox pneumonia, which most often develops in adolescents, pregnant women, and people with impaired immune systems.

Loss of vision is possible if the rash has affected the cornea of ​​the eye. In this case, scars remain at the site of the bubbles, which can lead to complete or partial loss of vision.

Joint inflammation, or arthritis. As a rule, joint and muscle pain in people with chickenpox is observed until the rash passes.

Optic neuritis.

Meningitis, or inflammation of the tissues of the spinal cord and brain.

Encephalitis. As a rule, it develops 5-10 days after the appearance of the rash on the body, and affects most of the brain (whereas in children, encephalitis mainly affects the cerebellum). The presence of encephalitis is evidenced by the following symptoms - drowsiness, nausea, headaches, confused thoughts, increased sensitivity to light, less often - seizures and tremors. In especially acute cases, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting.

Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful conditions for any woman. Carrying a child is not an easy task, and a mother-to-be must think not only about herself and her own health, but also about the safety of her child. It is quite difficult to protect yourself from various diseases for 9 months, especially since at least once a woman gets into the epicenter of various diseases. And if the usual ARVI does not pose a big threat to the health of the child, then other diseases can have much more serious consequences. Chickenpox is one of such diseases dangerous for the health of the unborn child.

Complications of chickenpox in adults: what can you face?

Despite the fact that only 10% of adults have chickenpox, the disease is extremely serious. The child is easier to tolerate chickenpox due to the physiological characteristics of the child's body. After 12 years, the likelihood of complications and their number increase every year: the older a person is, the more dangerous the disease is for him. The onset of the disease is easy to confuse with ARVI, therefore, writing off the first symptoms for a cold, adults run the risk of picking up additional viruses or bacteria that threaten the weakened body with serious last.

Why do adults get chickenpox?

The causative agent of chickenpox is the notorious herpes virus. Scientists have studied 8 types of this virus, most of which are present in the human body.

The herpes virus lives in nerve cells

The insidiousness of the microorganism lies in the fact that it exists asymptomatically in nerve cells for years. Weakening of the immune system gives an impetus to the active reproduction of herpes.

Due to the deterioration in the quality of water, air, food, due to the unfavorable environmental situation and the abundance of stressful situations, human immunity becomes weaker. Therefore, the incidence of chickenpox in adults has increased markedly in recent years.

Having had chickenpox at preschool age, a person receives a guarantee of lifelong immunity from the disease. And those who did not survive the traditionally "childhood" illness on time and became infected in adulthood, tolerate it very hard.

Infection with chickenpox is facilitated by:

susceptibility to a group of herpes viruses;

contact with an infected person (this can be both children and adults);

items used by an infected person (dishes, personal hygiene items);

severe emotional trauma, nervous strain;

specific drug treatment that greatly reduces the protective function (chemotherapy).

You can get chickenpox from a patient with shingles, because the diseases have a common pathogen.

The first signs of the disease

In most cases, the disease begins suddenly. Immunity gives a strong response to the virus, so the symptoms of chickenpox in adulthood are pronounced.

Chickenpox resembles a cold in its characteristics.

At first, according to the signs, you can suspect influenza or a respiratory infection:

general weakness appears;

joint pain and muscle pain occur;

the temperature rises slightly (up to 37.5);

headache worries.

Approximately one and a half days before the first rash on the skin, the patient's condition deteriorates markedly. It is difficult for the patient to look at bright light, hear loud sounds, and nausea may appear (vomiting does not relieve the condition).

After the first specks appear, the chickenpox virus rapidly intensifies unpleasant symptoms:

the temperature rises sharply to 40;

a scattering of inflamed pimples all over the body is very itchy;

increases cervical, inguinal, submandibular, axillary, lymph nodes behind the ears;

within a day, the rash degenerates into papules with fluid inside;

sometimes coordination of movement is disturbed, muscle cramps occur.

Basically, the first bubbles appear on the abdomen, shoulders, chest, then the rash spreads to the scalp and face. In adults, after 20 years of age, the rash affects the genitals, which is fraught with painful urination. A rash can occur on the lining of the palate, tongue, cheeks, gums, and the back of the throat. Only the internal organs do not suffer.

Bubbles filled with liquid gradually burst, then a crust forms, which absolutely cannot be ripped off. Otherwise, the scar will remain for life. With proper processing of the formed crusts, scars are not formed. After the end of the acne treatment, there will be no trace left.

The main task of the patient is to prevent the secondary infection from penetrating through open wounds.

Learn about the symptoms and treatment of chickenpox in adults from the video below.

The incubation period of chickenpox

The average incubation period for chickenpox is one to three weeks. Direct contact with a person who subsequently developed chickenpox does not give cause for concern. The person is contagious two or three days before the onset of the rash, and it usually appears at least 10 days after infection.

The incubation period of chickenpox is represented by three stages

As with any infection, the incubation period of chickenpox consists of three stages:

the initial stage, when there was contact with an infected chickenpox in the acute phase of the disease;

the stage of development, when the virus actively multiplies in cells, its concentration increases; the infection affects the respiratory tract, gradually invading nearby cells;

the end of the incubation period, when a large amount of the virus enters the bloodstream and is carried through the vessels throughout the body.

At the last stage of the incubation period, the virus infects the epidermis, provoking the development of a skin rash. The immune system begins to actively resist the disease, producing protective cells.

The result of the counteraction of the virus with antibodies is feeling unwell, intoxication, and high fever.

There is an opinion that a long incubation period indicates an impending severe course of the disease.

What are the features of the treatment?

Mandatory quarantine after chickenpox detection is 21 days. This is the only way to protect others from infection. It is advisable to limit contacts until the last crust falls off.

According to doctors, it is from this moment that a person becomes safe for others.

Chickenpox treatment in adults is similar to that in children

Therapy for chickenpox is not much different from treating children. The main problem with chickenpox is the persistent severe itching that haunts day and night.

Therefore, funds are needed to soothe the inflamed skin to prevent the penetration of pathogenic bacteria through the bursting bubbles into the body.

In addition to the well-known brilliant green, a solution of fucorcin, resorcinol, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and calamine lotion are used to disinfect wounds.

Wounds on the oral mucosa are treated with a solution of furacilin or boric acid. It is better not to risk wiping with water and vinegar: there is a high likelihood of skin burns.

Antihistamines for external use will help relieve unbearable irritation:

Fenistil-gel (analogue of Psilo-balm) is a very popular remedy for allergies of any nature, has the property of an anesthetic;

Irikar - homeopathic safe remedy with antipruritic action;

Acyclovir (analogue of Zovirax) is an ointment that is used to slow the growth of the herpes virus: the causative agent of chickenpox;

Gossypol - antiviral cream, applicable during chickenpox;

Flacoside - used for active reproduction of the herpes virus, including chickenpox.

Allergy medications are also taken orally in the form of tablets for a quick effect: Tavegil, Suprastin, Loratadin, Diazolin. The high temperature is brought down with antipyretics based on paracetamol or ibuprofen.

During illness, you must adhere to a protein diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Traditional medicine against chickenpox

The main treatment for chickenpox is symptomatic, so in this case herbal medicine will be appropriate. There are a number of plants with natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties.

Herbal medicine is used to eliminate itching.

They are often used to eliminate irritation in chickenpox:

instead of tea, they drink a herbal collection of chamomile, lemon balm and calendula flowers;

reduces itching infusion of coltsfoot, burdock root, immortelle flowers and chicory;

bubbles on the mucous membrane of the mouth, on the gums the sage decoction heals well, which should be rinsed at least 3 times a day;

effectively eliminates intoxication crushed oat grass: steam a tablespoon with a glass of boiling water and take 3 times a day;

you can dry the wounds with a mixture of bergamot and olive oil.

To force the body to produce antibodies more intensively, it is recommended to drink an infusion of rose hips, black currants, raspberries, lemon juice with honey (if there is no allergy to honey). The mummy has a general strengthening effect. It should be taken as directed early in the morning before meals.

Only a comprehensive treatment of medicines and folk recipes guarantees a speedy recovery.

Possible complications after chickenpox

Attachment of a bacterial infection

Chickenpox is insidious in its consequences. As a result of strong scratching, the wounds begin to fester and pathogenic bacteria penetrate through them. Vesicles in the mouth, in the region of the larynx, are especially dangerous.

A bacterial infection, once in one of the bursting wounds, leads to the development of acute laryngitis. As a result of infection, breathing is disturbed, the disease is called: chickenpox croup.

Basically, complications of chickenpox in adults develop as a result of improper treatment tactics:

loss of vision - if the virus enters the cornea, then the rash spreads on the eyelids, under the eyes, sometimes on the white of the eye; scars after vesicles on the white of the eye can contribute to partial or complete loss of visual function;

meningitis, encephalitis - the virus affects the membranes of the brain, coordination of movements is impaired, consciousness is confused, there is a risk of temporary blindness;

arthritis is often a temporary phenomenon, joint inflammation disappears with the disappearance of the rash;

pneumonia - often accompanies chickenpox in elderly people, pregnant women or adolescents; without stopping the infection in time, the infection will touch the kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Treatment of complications of chickenpox is carried out with antibacterial drugs.

Secondary skin infection

Chickenpox is dangerous for inflammation on the skin

The most common complications of chickenpox are purulent inflammation of the skin. Due to the patient's scratching of the affected areas, the wounds turn into an entrance gate for the attachment of a secondary infection. A blistering rash transforms into a pustular rash, mainly, the causative agents are staphylococci or streptococci.

Genital abscesses often cause vulvitis, vulvovaginitis in women. Men are at risk of inflammation of the foreskin, balanoposthitis. Ulcers on the mucous membrane of the gums, the inner side of the cheeks provoke the development of stomatitis.

Quite often, the addition of a bacterial infection leads to inflammation of the lymph nodes. During chickenpox, they are already enlarged, and bacterial lymphadenitis makes them painful and swollen. The skin over the lymph nodes turns red, sometimes the suppuration is so severe that surgical intervention is required.

Combing the bubbles can lead to the formation of abscesses, phlegmon, which are characterized by the formation of ulcers.

After them, rough scars and scars remain, which can only be eliminated through laser correction in cosmetology clinics.

The most severe forms of chickenpox: gangrenous and hemorrhagic, but in modern medicine they are extremely rare.

Danger of chickenpox for pregnant women

According to statistics, about 10 women out of 1000 suffer from chickenpox. The risk of infection is minimized if a woman suffered from the disease in childhood. But not everyone remembers what diseases they had at an early age, so there is an analysis to determine immunity to chickenpox.

Chickenpox for pregnant women is very dangerous

The most dangerous period for a baby is the first trimester and two weeks before delivery. In the first weeks, the internal organs of a small person are formed, and the placenta has not yet been formed and cannot protect the fetus. Infection of the mother does not always indicate a mandatory infection of the baby.

The percentage of a child's infection is negligible, but if the infection did occur, then the consequences can be tragic:

spontaneous miscarriage;

underdevelopment of the upper or lower extremities;

brain damage;

violation of the organs of vision;

developmental delay or severe deformities.

The existing deviations can be found out only in the second trimester during the next ultrasound examination. If pathologies incompatible with life are found, the doctor will insist on terminating the pregnancy.

Infection after 36 weeks of pregnancy threatens the child with congenital chickenpox, which he can become infected by passing through the birth canal.

This is a serious condition in which internal organs are affected. Significantly reduces the risks of the disease, treatment with immunoglobulins, which is given to mother and child before childbirth.

Chickenpox after 20 weeks is absolutely safe for the fetus, even with a severe form of the disease. The placenta reliably protects the child from the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms.

To reduce the likelihood of infection for pregnant women, it is recommended to exclude contact with infected chickenpox as much as possible.

Disease prevention in adults

Adults can catch chickenpox from their children

Parents who have not had chickenpox usually get the infection from their children. Adults should temporarily stop communicating with an infected child, but this is often not possible.

Certain rules will help to minimize the risk:

the infected person must spend most of the time in a separate room;

dishes, towels, bed linen must be individual;

it is advisable for all family members to wear gauze bandages (the chickenpox virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, it penetrates through the airways into other rooms and into neighboring apartments);

it is necessary to wash the patient's things separately from everyone else;

A quartz lamp helps to reduce the risk of infection, but the instructions for use must be strictly followed.

Having found chickenpox, it is necessary to call a doctor at home in order to avoid infecting others. There are no prophylactic medications for chickenpox. Vaccination of the attenuated varicella-zoster virus may be an option. Vaccination contributes to the development of a mild form of the disease, as a result of which persistent immunity is developed. But this method has many opponents due to the high probability of side effects.

The only 100% reliable measure of chickenpox prevention is isolation from the source of infection.

Chickenpox in adults is not such a common occurrence. Re-infection of people who have had childhood illnesses is extremely rare. This is caused by severe immune failures, treatment with chemotherapy or gamma radiation. In this case, chickenpox manifests itself as shingles. Having got sick with chickenpox, it is important to adhere to the doctor's recommendations in order to avoid serious consequences. Accurate adherence to medical instructions guarantees a quick recovery without any complications.

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Chickenpox in adults symptoms and treatment incubation period

With a disease such as chickenpox, many face in childhood. However, chickenpox occurs in adults, the symptoms and treatment, the incubation period of which have their own characteristics. It is important to know how pathology manifests itself in adulthood in order to take the right measures for its therapy.

Chickenpox in adults: symptoms, photos

Chickenpox belongs to infectious pathologies and is caused by one of the varieties of the herpes virus. More often, the disease affects children, but there are also risk groups among adults: parents of preschool children without immunity, recruits in the army and some other categories.

The symptoms of chickenpox in adults are characterized by some features, namely:

adult patients tolerate pathology more difficult;

signs of intoxication of the body are strongly manifested;

the temperature may rise to 40 degrees and above;

a rash in adults may appear only 2-3 days from the onset of the disease;

a rash on the body is characterized by a high prevalence, and its elements form bulky pustules;

complications occur in about a third of patients;

the most severe course has chickenpox in patients over 50 years of age, as well as in people with a weakened immune system.

You need to know how chickenpox begins in adults, the symptoms, which photos are taking place. The first signs of the disease are manifested in a deterioration in well-being, weakness, but the rash does not appear immediately, therefore, chickenpox in adult patients is difficult to detect in the early stages.

The manifestations of the disease do not differ in men and women. In the photo you can see a characteristic rash that appears on the body two or three days after the onset of chickenpox.

Chickenpox: incubation period, infectiousness in adults

Chickenpox is caused by the third type of herpes virus, which is also called Varicella Zoster. The causative agent of infection cannot be transmitted through things, animals also cannot act as carriers. Viral particles die out rather quickly outside the human body.

Herpes simplex virus type 3 is volatile, which is why it is capable of infecting a large number of people at the same time. Also, there is a high susceptibility of a person to infection - upon contact with a patient who has been diagnosed with chickenpox, almost all people who have not previously been sick fall ill.

The main reservoir of infection, as well as the source of infection, is a person with chickenpox. There is a low risk of infection from a patient with shingles. The main routes of infection are airborne, as well as transplacental.

The incubation period can last from 10 to 21 days, more often it is 14-17 days. During this time, an increase in the number of viral particles occurs. The process of viral reproduction occurs on the mucous lining of the nasopharynx, then infectious microorganisms spread through the lymphatic system.

Resistance to infection is formed after an illness.

In most cases, lifelong protection against disease is provided, but if the immune system is weak, repeated infections are likely, although rare.

Chickenpox vaccination for adults has been developed and is being used in a number of regions. Vaccination is necessary for those categories of the population who may have a severe course of chickenpox when infected.

Non-specific prevention of chickenpox consists in the timely isolation of the patient, who is the source of infection. Therefore, it is important to know how many days chickenpox is contagious.

The contagious period takes 11 to 21 days.

The sick person becomes contagious even before the appearance of the first rashes, and ceases to be them until the rash finally disappears. If chickenpox is detected, how many days you need to be at home is a question, the answer to which is determined by the body's resistance to infection. It is recommended to stay at home for at least two weeks after the first elements of the rash appear.

Chickenpox in adults: treatment with folk remedies

Before prescribing treatment, it is necessary to correctly carry out the diagnostic stage. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis of chickenpox based on the clinical symptoms and the results of a number of laboratory tests. The specialist notes the following signs of the disease:

rashes that appear together with a deterioration in well-being and an increase in temperature;

a periodic increase in the elements of the rash, accompanied by a rise in body temperature;

false polymorphism of rashes - in one area of ​​the skin there are spots, papules, and pustules;

the rash can be localized on all areas of the skin of the body, except for the feet and palms;

elements of a rash on the mucous lining of the oral cavity and genitals are possible.

The doctor must clarify whether the patient has had contact with a person with chickenpox. The following are used as confirmatory methods of laboratory diagnostics:

General analysis of blood and urine.

Viroscopy.

Serological methods - determination of the titer of specific antibodies.

Polymerase chain reaction.

Laboratory methods are extremely important when differential diagnosis is required with other infectious pathologies.

Learn more about traditional methods of treatment

Traditional medicine offers a range of recipes for correcting the symptoms of chickenpox. However, when using them, you cannot refuse drug treatment - this can lead to a worsening of the condition and the development of complications.

Among the most effective folk remedies are the following:

A blend of olive oil and bergamot essential oil. With this composition, you can lubricate rashes: it relieves inflammation and soothes itching.

Brew 60 grams of celandine herb in 1 liter of hot water, let it brew. Add the broth to the water while taking a bath.

Brew 20 grams of calendula flowers with 500 ml of water, let it brew. Broth to wipe the affected areas of the skin.

Boil 20 grams of sage with 2 cups of hot water. Use to rinse the mouth.

Boil the barley (1: 5 ratio with water). Use the decoction to rub the affected skin.

Chickenpox during pregnancy

The infectiousness for pregnant women with regards to chickenpox is no different from the infectiousness for other categories of adult patients. The symptomatology as a whole does not have any peculiarities and includes the following signs of pathology:

deterioration in general health;

decreased appetite;

headache;

an increase in temperature;

the appearance of rashes on the body.

The rash can be localized throughout the body. They look like bubbles filled with liquid. As the disease progresses, the bubbles burst, leaving behind crusts. The temperature in pregnant women with chickenpox does not always rise.

Not in all cases, chickenpox during pregnancy provokes serious consequences. The greatest danger is infection in the 1st trimester and in the 3rd trimester, infection in the 2nd trimester has fewer pathological consequences.

Chickenpox during early pregnancy can lead to damage to the cerebral cortex, and underdevelopment of the limbs is also likely.

Chickenpox during late pregnancy, in some cases, becomes the cause of delayed development of the child. Probably the development of convulsive syndrome.

In rare cases, a woman can become infected even if she was already sick. You need to strictly monitor your well-being, avoid contact with people who are sick with chickenpox, and then the expectant mother and her baby will not be in danger.

As for the treatment of chickenpox in women during the period of bearing a baby, here it is worth completely trusting the prescriptions of the attending physician. Self-medication can be detrimental not only for the patient herself, but also for the child.

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Reasons for development

The disease is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which belongs to the herpesvirus family (the third type). This pathogen exhibits tropism for the cutaneous epithelium. This is accompanied by the development of necrosis. In addition, the virus is able to penetrate the nervous tissue.

Staying there for a long time.

A person can become infected not only from a sick person, but also from a sick person. This is due to the same pathogen, but a different response of the immune system to a given virus. So, re-infection is accompanied by the development of not chickenpox, but herpes zoster. However, with sufficient immunity intensity, repeated cases of the disease are casuistry.

An adult can contract the varicella-zoster virus by airborne droplets, which is realized through the following factors:

• particles of saliva;
• exhaled air.

It is extremely rare that a contact-household route can be noted. However, in general, the virus is unstable in the external environment. It quickly dies under the influence of sunlight and slight heating.

Initially, the virus enters the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, and from there it enters the regional lymph nodes. Through the lymphatic vessels, the virus enters the bloodstream, which is accompanied by the development of intoxication syndrome. The final place of "dislocation" of the virus is the mucous membranes and skin, where these or those rashes appear.