Chickenpox is a viral disease traditionally considered to be of childhood concern and not of particular concern. A playful little boy of about five years old, decorated in greenery by his caring parents, does not look sick and leaves no doubt about his recovery. But chickenpox in infants has some specifics that you should be aware of.
The mother of a child who has not had chickenpox cannot pass on immunity to this disease, exposing him to infection.
How common is it in infants?
In the first year of life, the immune system of babies is different from the immune system of an older child, and even more so of an adult. At this age, the immune system is not yet fully formed and weakly performs protective functions. In this case, nature has provided mother's milk: during breastfeeding, some of the necessary antibodies enter the baby's body with milk and compensate for deficiencies in the functioning of the immune system, preventing the baby from getting sick. Consequently, if the mother had chickenpox before pregnancy, antibodies to the virus appeared in her blood, which she will provide to the baby during feeding. It is for this reason that chickenpox in children under one year of age is extremely rare, and if infection does occur, the disease is usually mild; symptoms in infants are mild and do not cause much discomfort to either mother or child.
If we talk about the likelihood of infection, then two factors should be noted: social and physiological.
- Chickenpox is a contagious disease transmitted by airborne droplets from person to person. So, the more often a baby comes into contact with other people/children, or in public places (playgrounds, nurseries), the higher his chances of becoming infected.
- The likelihood of getting sick increases, oddly enough, as the child grows older. The thing is that when breastfeeding, until the baby reaches three months of age, there are enough antibodies in the milk to resist the virus. Over time, their number decreases, and there is a danger of infection. By the sixth month of life, the risk of infection is already quite high.
- If the mother has not had chickenpox and cannot provide the baby with immunity to the disease, and the infant has been in contact with a sick person, infection occurs in one hundred percent of cases.
- The so-called congenital chickenpox occurs very rarely - if the mother became infected during pregnancy.
What is the danger of chickenpox in infants?
Chickenpox causes a lot of anxiety for your baby, causing itching and pain. In the first three months of life, the risk of getting sick is practically absent. More often, babies get sick during the transition of the body to its own immunity, that is, children older than three months are at risk.
In most cases, chickenpox occurs without complications in infants, in a mild form, which children tolerate well. It all starts with fever, anxiety, and the appearance of a rash similar to mosquito bites. By the next day, the lymph nodes may enlarge; the rashes turn into blisters with liquid, which are very itchy and force babies to literally scratch themselves until they bleed. A one-month-old baby is sure to be injured in such cases. To avoid this, it is recommended to wear special suits with closed handles that prevent tearing of the papules.
Congenital chickenpox
Intrauterine infection poses a great danger to infants. Infection at different periods has different consequences, and the longer the period, the higher the possibility of developing pathologies in infants:
- In the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of embryopathy is low and is about one percent. The twelve to sixteen week period is a period of development of the nervous system, so in the worst case, chickenpox in the mother can provoke cataracts or encephalopathy in the fetus.
- In the second trimester, the risk of developing pathologies increases to two percent.
- The most dangerous thing for the health of the unborn child is infection of the mother in the third trimester - children, however, get chickenpox in a quarter of all cases.
The chickenpox virus does not always manage to penetrate the placental barrier, but doctors cannot yet say with certainty what affects this.
Classic symptoms (fever, rash) appear around the eleventh day of life, but they are aggravated by vomiting and, often, convulsions. By affecting the body of a newborn, the virus is capable of causing pathological changes in the central nervous system and internal organs, provoking difficult to predict and severe complications.
Incubation period and symptoms
Chickenpox “masters” in the human body from 7 to 20-25 days. People become infected with this virus only through airborne droplets and almost never through household items. The patient becomes a carrier of infection two days before the first symptoms appear and remains so for 5-7 days after their onset.
In the case of intrauterine infection, the baby’s symptoms appear in the first month after birth, on the 10th-11th day of life, and require mandatory professional treatment. Chickenpox in infants, like in everyone else, has two degrees of severity:
- light;
- heavy.
The mild form is characterized by:
- slight increase in temperature (up to 37.5 degrees);
- the appearance of a small rash similar to insect bites.
Body temperature depends on the scale of the rash: the larger the rash, the higher the temperature. By the next day, the pimples turn into transparent blisters with liquid that contains many viral cells. It is at this moment that scratching is dangerous, since papules that burst at this stage spread the infection to large areas of the body. To prevent such infection, the wounds are cauterized with a solution of brilliant green.
After 2-3 days, the papules become rough and crust over. Usually the rash is recurrent in nature and after a few days (from 2 to 3) the rash recurs.
The chickenpox virus “matures” in the body from a week to 1 month. Chickenpox in children under one year of age is severe if:
- this is a case of intrauterine infection;
- The child’s immunity for some reason (feeding with formula rather than breast milk, some diseases) is unnaturally weakened.
Children with a history of one of the above cases have a difficult time coping with the disease. A severe form of chickenpox is recognizable by the rapid development of symptoms: body temperature rises to forty degrees within a few hours, papules form 2-3 hours after the temperature jump. In such cases, you must immediately consult a doctor - only he can prescribe correct and effective treatment.
Almost every person encounters a childhood infection such as chickenpox in their life. Often this disease is diagnosed after the age of two years, but sometimes chickenpox also occurs in infants.
Is this infectious disease dangerous for children under one year of age? Do newborn children suffer from chickenpox and what should parents do if their baby develops chickenpox at such an early age?
Can a baby get chickenpox?
If the mother had chickenpox before pregnancy, for the first 6 months the baby is protected from the causative agent of this infection thanks to the antibodies received from the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Infection of an infant with the Varicella Zoster virus, which causes chickenpox in humans, is possible in the following ways:
- In utero from a mother who did not have chickenpox before pregnancy and became infected with the virus during pregnancy. It is especially dangerous if infection occurs in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, since the Varicella Zoster virus in this case provokes the development of serious pathologies in the fetus. When the pathogen reaches the baby in the last days of pregnancy (5 days before birth), it becomes the cause of congenital chickenpox. If the infection occurs later than the 12th week, and the woman’s illness begins earlier than a week before giving birth, the baby manages to receive enough antibodies from the sick mother, so chickenpox may not manifest itself.
- By airborne droplets from a child or adult with chickenpox. Typically, such infection occurs over the age of 6 months, when the protection of maternal antibodies disappears and the baby becomes susceptible to the Varicella Zoster virus. If he is in the same room with a patient with chickenpox, for example, if an infection is detected in an older brother or a sister attending kindergarten, then the risk of infection is very high.
It is known that the incubation period for chickenpox is on average 10-21 days. Moreover, most often in children from 6 months to a year, this period, during which the virus develops in the baby’s body and does not manifest itself in any way, is shortened to 7 days.
Symptoms
The first symptoms of chickenpox in an infant are deterioration of appetite and sleep, restless behavior, and weakness. Soon the baby's body temperature rises (sometimes only to 37-38 degrees, but many toddlers have a higher temperature) and a rash appears. The rash appears first on the torso, then on the head and limbs.
The elements of the rash gradually change shape - at first they look like spots, then they become similar to mosquito bites (papules) and very quickly transform into blisters filled with clear liquid. Soon such bubbles dry out and crusts appear on their surface.
While some blisters have dried up, new spots appear nearby on clean skin, which also turn into vesicles. If you do not scratch this rash, the scabs will fall off within a few weeks, leaving no traces.
How do infants cope with chickenpox?
The course of chickenpox before the age of one year can be both mild and severe. If the baby tolerates the infection easily, his general condition changes slightly, and the rash is represented by only single elements. However, due to immature immunity in babies under one year of age, severe forms of chickenpox are not uncommon.
In newborns who become infected from their mother immediately before birth, the disease is also very severe. In this case, the baby has a very high temperature, a lot of bubbles and complications are possible (encephalitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and others).
How to treat chickenpox under the age of one year
- If the disease is mild, it is treated in infancy only symptomatically and at home. Severe cases require hospitalization and the prescription of antiviral drugs.
- To reduce fever, infants are given paracetamol or ibuprofen. checking the dosage with your pediatrician.
- For handling bubbles you can use brilliant green, Calamine lotion or Zindol suspension based on zinc oxide. In case of severe itching, Fenistil gel can be applied to the skin of an infant older than one month.
- If bubbles appear in the baby's mouth, on the genitals or on other mucous membranes, they can be washed with herbal infusion (for example, chamomile) or furacillin solution. Wounds formed on the mucous membranes can be treated with sea buckthorn oil, and if they greatly bother the baby, then lubricate them with one of the pain-relieving gels used for teething.
- It is important to prevent scratching of the vesicles, Therefore, babies with chickenpox wear gloves, and if the itching is very severe, consult a doctor to select an antihistamine.
- It is not prohibited to bathe a baby with chickenpox. since hygiene procedures help reduce itching. However, a bath is not recommended during periods of high temperature. If the little one’s health has returned to normal, there is no need to avoid swimming. However, during water procedures, you should follow some recommendations - do not overheat the water, do not use detergents and washcloths, and do not rub with a towel after bathing.
- If the course of chickenpox in an infant is severe, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs, for example, Acyclovir is a drug that acts on the Varicella Zoster virus, blocking its reproduction in the child’s body. In very severe cases, this medicine is administered intravenously to the baby, and is also applied to vesicles in the form of an ointment.
- If the mother gets chickenpox five days before giving birth or later, Immunoglobulin is administered to the newborn immediately after birth, which helps destroy the Varicella Zoster virus. Also, such babies must be given Acyclovir.
Prevention
If the expectant mother has never had chickenpox and is thinking about how to protect both herself and the baby in her tummy from chickenpox, vaccination would be the best option. It is recommended to get vaccinated against chickenpox at least 3 months before your planned pregnancy. And since the chickenpox vaccine in adults is administered twice with an interval of 6-10 weeks, then You should go to the clinic for vaccination even earlier.
Children older than six months can be protected from infection from the eldest child in the family by isolating the sick baby during the period of greatest contagion and frequent wet cleaning in the apartment (the virus is very unstable outside the human body).
But, since a child with chickenpox becomes contagious when there are no clinical manifestations of the disease yet (on the last day of the incubation period), it will not be possible to fully protect the baby from chickenpox in a situation where an older child “brought” it from kindergarten or school .
a is a very common infection, so almost all parents encounter this disease in their child. Its causative agent is a virus belonging to the group of herpes viruses. It quickly spreads through the air, passing from a sick child to healthy babies, and susceptibility to this infection is estimated at 90-100%. Let's find out what Komarovsky says about chickenpox and how he advises treating it in childhood.
Who gets chickenpox more often?
A popular doctor confirms that chickenpox is most often diagnosed in children under 12 years of age. Moreover, in most children under 12 years of age the course of the disease is mild, but older children suffer from chickenpox more severely, just like adults.
In infants under 6 months of age, chickenpox is quite rare and has a severe course. A particularly difficult course of chickenpox is observed in newborns to whom the virus was transmitted by their mother in the last 5 days of gestation or the first days after birth. Most infants in the first six months of life are protected from the chickenpox pathogen by antibodies from their mother if she had the disease in childhood.
How does chickenpox manifest in children?
Komarovsky calls the main manifestation of chickenpox, which makes it possible to distinguish this infection from others, a characteristic rash. Initially, it is represented by red spots, which after a few hours transform into bubbles filled with transparent contents. The next day, the liquid in the bubbles becomes cloudy, and their surface wrinkles, after which they become covered with crusts. After seven to eight days, the dried crusts fall off and often do not leave any traces.
As Komarovsky notes, simultaneously with the appearance of the rash, the child’s general condition worsens and nonspecific symptoms of intoxication arise. The baby feels weak, complains of headaches, and refuses food. In addition, his body temperature rises. Cough and runny nose are not observed with chickenpox.
Treatment
How to treat chickenpox
Komarovsky notes that drugs that directly affect the causative agent of chickenpox are rarely used in the treatment of children. Such drugs that directly affect the herpes virus are indicated only for severe chickenpox, for example, in adolescents, children under one year old (for example, 4 months or in a newborn) or in pregnant women. In mild cases, all treatment for chickenpox is symptomatic, that is, it is aimed at eliminating symptoms that worsen the child’s condition.
If a child with chickenpox has a fever, Komarovsky advises giving paracetamol or ibuprofen in the permitted dose. A well-known pediatrician focuses the attention of parents on the fact that aspirin is contraindicated for children with chickenpox, since this can lead to complications (liver damage).
To relieve skin itching and prevent scratching of the blisters, which results in infection of the rash and the formation of marks that will not disappear for the rest of your life, Komarovsky advises:
- Use skin treatment products prescribed by your doctor.
- If necessary, give the baby antihistamines by mouth.
- Distract the child.
- Carefully cut a child’s nails, and if we are talking about a baby, then a well-known doctor calls mittens an excellent solution.
- Perform a daily change of linen.
- Bathe your child in a cool bath, drying the body after bathing. Bathing can be repeated every 3-4 hours, and a little soda can be added to the water.
- Avoid overheating the baby, as this increases the itching (the room should not be too hot).
To avoid complications, Komarovsky advises paying sufficient attention to the drinking regime, since dehydration with chickenpox only contributes to damage to the baby’s kidneys, liver and other internal organs.
Using brilliant green
A popular doctor notes that this drug has long been used in the treatment of chickenpox. And when chickenpox is mentioned, most parents think of a picture of a child with a green dot. However, according to Komarovsky, brilliant green does not cure such an infection at all, and all blisters will crust over even without the use of this dye.
However, there is some merit to using brilliant green. If mom covers up new blisters every day, she will be able to see when the appearance of new elements of the rash has stopped. And already 5 days after this event, the child will no longer be infectious to others. At the same time, Komarovsky calls the decision to use brilliant green a personal matter for each mother and assures that chickenpox will go away without the use of green dye.
Is it possible to go for a walk?
Komarovsky advises going out with your child for a walk 5 days after the appearance of new rashes stops, that is, during the period when the baby has already stopped releasing the chickenpox pathogen into the environment. But a well-known doctor does not advise rushing to visit a kindergarten, since chicken pox quite strongly suppresses children’s immunity. Komarovsky advises going to kindergarten only 2-3 weeks after recovery.
Prevention
Komarovsky calls vaccination the best protection against chickenpox. The popular doctor regrets that such a vaccine is not included in the list of mandatory vaccinations. This, as well as the opinion of parents about chickenpox as a very mild disease, becomes an obstacle to frequent vaccination of children against chickenpox.
Dr. Komarovsky considers the actions of parents who decide to vaccinate against this infection to be correct, because for some children, chickenpox can be deadly, for example, if the child has a chronic infection or immunodeficiency. In addition, vaccination will protect the child at an older age, when, as is known, the course of the disease is often accompanied by complications.
When asked whether it is necessary to infect a child with chickenpox, Komarovsky answers ambiguously. On the one hand, the famous doctor does not condemn such actions of parents, but on the other, he is sure that it is better to organize a child’s “acquaintance” with the chickenpox virus with the help of a vaccine that contains a weakened pathogen. Intentional infection of a child with an unattenuated virus is more dangerous, because along with a mild course, there are cases when children suffer from chickenpox very seriously.
You will learn even more about chickenpox by watching Dr. Komarovsky’s program.
Young parents whose children have not reached school age know firsthand how often their child gets sick, and not just with acute respiratory infections. Another scourge that is best dealt with in childhood is chickenpox. This is an infection that is transmitted by airborne droplets, namely through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. In order to recognize the disease in time and isolate the child, young parents need to know how chickenpox begins in their baby - what are the symptoms and treatment.
Children usually catch chickenpox in kindergarten - the whole group can get sick at once. It has been proven that small children aged 1 to 12 years are more easily able to tolerate the disease, which lasts from 5 to 10 days. Chickenpox can cause complications in infants, adults, pregnant women and adolescents. Children who have recovered from the disease, as a rule, do not get sick again during their lives, but the virus can subsequently become more active and, under certain conditions, cause shingles. We suggest watching a video on how to recognize chickenpox in children and prevent complications.
http://youtu.be/VMRfgEfNE-Q
Symptoms of the disease
Chickenpox in children is global in nature - the virus enters the blood through the mucous membranes and spreads throughout the body. A characteristic manifestation of the infection is a rash all over the body, including the genitals, lips, scalp, armpits and other extremities (see photo). Chickenpox causes severe itching, which causes the child to scratch, thereby increasing the number of blisters. Scratching can easily cause infection.
After infection, at least 7 days pass before the first symptoms appear.
If you look closely, the rash on the child’s body consists of blisters with liquid, around which red, inflamed skin is visible (see photo). Bubbles burst easily when physically exposure and spread the infection even more. The next day, the burst blisters dry out, but cause pain and itching. For comparison: this is how herpes on the lips of adults hurts.
The main symptoms of the disease in children:
- temperature rise to 38-39.5 degrees;
- rash on the body, except for the palms and feet, in the form of small blisters with redness of the tissues around;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
- whims;
- poor appetite.
Chickenpox is an extremely contagious disease, so sick children are immediately isolated. Quarantine lasts at least 10 days for mild cases of the disease. At this time, you should give the child maximum attention, protect him from drafts, and maintain complete hygiene.
Treatment of chickenpox in children
When a child develops chickenpox, he is isolated from other children. At high temperatures, they give an antipyretic and provide bed rest. If the child is over 1 year old, make sure that the baby does not itch. You can give an antihistamine to reduce itching (Diazolin, Suprastin).
Treatment of chickenpox in children does not involve taking any medications. Antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor in case of complications caused by other viruses and bacteria entering through wounds on the body. This causes extensive suppuration of the skin and mucous membranes. Antibiotic treatment is prescribed only by a doctor.
Blisters all over the body are burned with brilliant green or potassium permanganate to dry and disinfect them (see photo). When the child is ill, do not bathe him. In case of severe contamination, children are briefly bathed in a weak solution of potassium manganese. A separate bath is prepared for bathing, which is then disinfected. It is not advisable to get the rashes wet, otherwise they will not heal well.
Houses are wet cleaned daily with disinfectant detergents. Bed linen is changed daily, and a child's underwear is changed more often. The room is ventilated several times a day.
If a child is bothered by itching, you need to distract him with games and try to explain that he should not itch. As a rule, chickenpox goes away on its own after 5-7 days and never bothers the child again. Blisters, if not scratched, do not leave scars or age spots.
Treatment of chickenpox in children from 1 year to 12 years – basic actions:
- complete isolation from other children;
- home mode;
- frequent change of bed and underwear;
- cauterization of inflated and burst bubbles with brilliant green (potassium permanganate);
- strict diet;
- bathing, if necessary, in a pink solution of potassium permanganate;
- drinking plenty of water;
- taking antipyretics if necessary.
Lubricating the bubbles with brilliant green dries the wounds and prevents infection from penetrating through the skin. In addition, brilliant green visually shows how many new rashes have appeared per day and how quickly the healing process is proceeding. Burning with brilliant green helps relieve some of the itching. Instead of brilliant green, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Alcohol and alcohol-containing medications are contraindicated.
Features of the disease in children under 1 year of age
Chickenpox is not scary for babies under 3 months, whose body still contains mother's antibodies, which reliably protect it from the aggression of the outside world. After 3 months, immunity gradually decreases, and the baby can easily catch the disease. For children from 6 months to 1 year, whose immunity is not formed, chickenpox is dangerous.
The symptoms of the disease are the same as in children over 1 year old (see photo). For children aged 3 to 6 months, the disease begins with rashes all over the body. In a mild form, these can be single pimples that quickly disappear without an increase in body temperature.
In babies 3-6 months old, a wave-like course is observed - the period of rashes is replaced by a short-term lull.
With new rashes, body temperature rises.
The baby is very bothered by an itchy body, he becomes whiny, eats poorly, and sleeps poorly. At this time, you should breastfeed him as often as possible - this will help to quickly cope with the disease. After consulting a doctor, you can give an antihistamine syrup, which is used in children under 1 year of age (Fenistil).
Treatment is the same as for children over 1 year old. The wounds are treated with brilliant green or Fenistil gel. The gel is used on individual areas of the skin; you cannot smear the entire body at once. Bath as rarely as possible, in a basin with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. For little fidgets, it is better to wear a shirt with sewn sleeves.
Treatment of chickenpox is carried out at home, observing strict rules of personal hygiene for both children and adults. You cannot walk with your baby or bathe him during an acute course of the disease. If the attending physician's requirements are correctly followed, the disease recedes 8-9 days after the first signs are identified and never returns.
Chickenpox is a common childhood viral infection, which becomes a challenge for the baby and his mother. Find out the characteristics of chickenpox in children under one year of age, treatment methods and possible complications so that you can be prepared.
Chickenpox (varicella) is an acute disease caused by the herpes virus.
How is chickenpox transmitted?
The route of transmission is airborne. The source of infection is a sick person who releases the virus when coughing or sneezing. The incidence reaches 100%, so it is almost impossible to protect your baby from a sick family member.
The pathogen can travel long distances with air currents, however, its instability in the external environment practically eliminates the domestic route of infection.
Morbidity
Chickenpox mainly affects children of preschool and primary school age. Babies under 3 months of age practically do not get sick due to the presence of maternal antibodies in the blood. Children aged 6 months to 7 years are most susceptible. By the age of 15, from 70 to 90% of children have already recovered from the disease. After illness, strong immunity remains.
The most favorable and mild course of the disease is in childhood. Chickenpox occurs easily in breastfed babies.
The incubation period varies from 7 to 21 days.
Symptoms of chickenpox in children under one year old
The prodromal period is practically not expressed or expressed weakly. The child may be lethargic, whiny, or, conversely, overexcited. Possible loss of appetite and refusal of complementary foods.
Pronounced clinical manifestations occur with the appearance of a rash. The rash can appear on any part of the body and spread chaotically. First, red spots form on the body, which within 24 hours turn into blisters containing clear liquid that are very itchy. Infants have fewer rashes than adults. During this period, the temperature may rise and the lymph nodes may enlarge.
The rashes are localized mainly on the face, neck, scalp, torso, and limbs. In severe cases, they affect the palms, soles, and mucous membranes.
Chickenpox is characterized by a red rash
The appearance of new elements (addition) continues for about 3-8 days. Simultaneously with the cessation of sleep, the baby’s condition improves.
Over time, the bubbles dry out and a crust forms, which disappears after 1-2 weeks, leaving no trace.
The child becomes contagious a day or two before the rash appears and continues to shed the virus until the 5th day after the last rash.
Treatment
Treatment for chickenpox does not usually require hospitalization. Therapy is symptomatic.
The elements of the rash are lubricated with brilliant green, methylene blue or Castellani solution. The drugs do not cure the disease, but help the blisters dry out more quickly and prevent bacterial infection. In a hospital setting, doctors use colored elements to determine the appearance of new rashes.
Since the rashes are accompanied by severe itching, it is important to avoid scratching the elements. This is fraught with the addition of a secondary infection, as well as the appearance of scars. The baby's nails need to be trimmed short and kept clean. A very small child can wear thin gloves. Distract your child from illness with toys, fairy tales, and songs.
To reduce itching, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines.
You can cure chickenpox on your own
When the temperature rises above 38.5 0 C, you need to give the child an antipyretic drug (syrup or suppository).
To combat intoxication, it is important to follow the baby’s drinking regime. Regularly offer him tea, juice, fruit drink, compote or just water. If your baby is breastfed and not yet receiving complementary foods, put him to the breast more often.
You can bathe your child in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, without using a washcloth. It is better to exclude other water procedures.
It is important to change your underwear daily to prevent the spread of rashes, and change your bed linen as often as possible.
Complications of chickenpox
In children, including infants, the most common complication is the addition of a secondary infection, which leads to suppuration of the blisters. If the infection is large, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
A decrease in immunity under the influence of a virus can contribute to the development of bacterial complications: stomatitis, conjunctivitis, mumps.
In exceptional cases, chickenpox is complicated by chickenpox croup, pneumonia, viral encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, and sepsis.
Severe complications can occur in severely weakened, malnourished children, as well as in children with immunodeficiency.
Chickenpox is a common disease, and if your baby shows the first signs, you should not self-medicate. Be sure to consult your pediatrician.
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