Chickenpox is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is part of the herpes group of viruses. It is considered one of the classic diseases of childhood, but thanks to the extensive vaccination campaign of today, the incidence of the infection has been significantly reduced. Regardless of this, you or your child could be suffering from a rash of such an infection. If you want to recognize chickenpox, you need to know what symptoms are related to it.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Recognizing Chickenpox
Step 1. Look for skin symptoms
About a day or two after having runny nose and frequent sneezing, you may begin to see red spots on your skin. At first they occur more frequently on the chest, face, back and are often itchy; in a short time they spread throughout the rest of the body.
- These red dots quickly turn into red bumps and then small blisters. Inside them there is the virus and it is very contagious; over several days the blisters will form a crust on the surface and at this stage there is no more risk of transmission of the virus.
- Insect bites, scabies, other viral rashes, impetigo, and syphilis are similar to chickenpox.
Step 2. Be careful with cold symptoms
Chickenpox may initially present as a mild cold with runny nose, sneezing, and coughing; you may also have a high fever, around 38 ° C. If you have previously come into contact with someone with chickenpox or someone who has had a rash of chickenpox (a milder form that occurs in vaccinated people), the first signs of infection may just be mild symptoms of a cold.
Step 3. Recognize early symptoms to reduce a person's exposure at risk
Chickenpox is extremely contagious and dangerous for people who have weak immune systems, who have undergone chemotherapy, who are sick with HIV or AIDS, as well as for most newborns, as they are not vaccinated until they reach the first year of age.
Part 2 of 5: Learn about the Virus
Step 1. Learn how it is transmitted
The chickenpox virus is spread through air or direct contact, usually following a sneeze or cough without following hygiene procedures, and is then carried by fluids, such as saliva or mucus.
- If you touch an open blister or inhale the virus (for example by kissing a person with chickenpox), you can become infected.
- If you've met someone diagnosed with this infection, it can help you recognize the symptoms.
Step 2. Find out about the incubation period
This virus has no immediate symptoms. It usually takes 10 to 21 days after infection for symptoms to occur. The maculopapular rash continues to develop for several days, and the blisters take several days to disappear. This means that you will find maculopapular rashes, blisters and open blisters forming the scab on your skin at the same time.
About 90% of unvaccinated people who have close contact with a sick person will develop the infection after exposure to the virus
Step 3. Older kids and adults suffer from major complications
Although it is not a serious disease, it can require several hospitalizations and even lead to death for these categories of people. Lesions and blisters can form in the mouth, anus and vagina.
Step 4. Contact your doctor if you are at risk of complications
Children over the age of 12, pregnant women, all those with compromised immune systems (including those taking immune-lowering steroids), as well as those with asthma or eczema, are at increased risk of experience more severe symptoms.
Step 5. Call the doctor if the sick person has the following symptoms:
- Fever lasting more than 4 days or exceeding 39 ° C;
- Some areas of the lesions start to become hot, red, sore, or pus leaking - this indicates that there is a secondary infection going on;
- Difficulty getting up or confused
- Neck stiffness or difficulty walking
- Frequent vomiting;
- Severe cough;
- Difficulty in breathing.
Part 3 of 5: Treating Chickenpox
Step 1. Get a prescription from your doctor if your case is extreme or you are among the most at-risk categories
Medicines to treat chickenpox are not suitable for all patients without distinction. In many cases, the doctor will not be able to prescribe stronger ones for children, unless there is a fear that the infection could worsen and turn into pneumonia or some other equally serious condition.
- For best results, antivirals should be taken within the first 24 hours after the lesions begin to appear.
- If you suffer from any skin ailments such as eczema, lung problems such as asthma, have recently taken steroids or have compromised immune systems, you may want to consider taking antivirals.
- Some pregnant women may also benefit from the effects of these medicines.
Step 2. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen
Children in particular should not take them and infants under six months should never take ibuprofen for any reason. Aspirin has been associated with a serious illness known as Reye's syndrome, while ibuprofen can cause secondary infections. You can alternatively take acetaminophen (Tachipirina) to relieve headaches, various aches, and reduce fever, all symptoms associated with chickenpox.
Step 3. Do not scratch the blisters and do not remove the scabs
Although both are very itchy, it is important not to tear them, otherwise you could leave scars on the skin and cause further itching, increasing the risk of developing a bacterial infection. If your child just can't help himself, cut his nails.
Step 4. Cool the lesions
Apply a cold pack or take a refreshing bath. Cold temperatures help relieve itching and reduce the fever that accompanies the infection.
Step 5. Use calamine-based lotion to soothe the itch
You can take cool baths with baking soda or colloidal oatmeal, or apply a calamine-based cream to make the annoying itchy skin feel more bearable. If you are unable to relieve the discomfort in any way, go to your doctor who will suggest medications. However, keep in mind that these solutions help reduce the severity of the itch, but there is nothing that can make it go away completely until the blisters have healed.
You can buy calamine lotion in all pharmacies and parapharmacies
Part 4 of 5: Preventing Chickenpox
Step 1. Ask your doctor for details about the vaccine
It is considered safe and is given to young children before they can expose themselves to the disease. The first dose is injected at 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age.
The chickenpox vaccine is much safer than the disease itself. Most people who have the injection do not experience any problems. However, the vaccine - like all drugs - can cause serious complications, such as severe allergic reactions. Therefore, even that for chickenpox can lead to dangerous damage or even death, albeit in extremely rare cases
Step 2. Expose your child to chickenpox early if he is not given the vaccine
Be sure to talk to your pediatrician about this decision. Having children vaccinated is a personal choice of parents; however, be aware that the later they get chickenpox, the more severe the symptoms will be. If you decide not to get your child vaccinated or if he is - or may be - allergic to the vaccine, you should make sure that he or she is exposed to the virus after the age of three and before 10 to limit the symptoms and severity of the disease. 'infection.
Step 3. Be aware of the possibility of a mild form of chickenpox
Children receiving the vaccine may develop a mild form of this disease. They may have about 50 less severe spots and blisters, making diagnosis more difficult. However, know that they are still contagious as if they have developed the normal infection.
- Adults are at greater risk of the disease being more severe and with a higher incidence of complications.
- Vaccination is undoubtedly to be preferred to the infection deliberately induced by the parents. In the United States, "chickenpox parties" are not uncommon, which have the very purpose of exposing children to the virus. The vaccine can cause a mild case of infection, but having your child participate in these "parties" is likely to ensure complete development of the disease, which could lead to pneumonia and other very serious complications. For this reason, it is not recommended to take part in these gatherings.
Part 5 of 5: Beware of Other Complications
Step 1. Pay special attention to children who have other skin problems such as eczema
If they already have other dermatological disorders, they can develop hundreds of spots and blisters; this can be very painful and increase the risk of scarring. Use the treatments described above to reduce itching, and contact your pediatrician to prescribe topical or oral medications to soothe the discomfort and pain.
Step 2. Check for signs of a secondary bacterial infection
The blistered areas can become infected, becoming hot, red, soft to the touch, and pus may also leak. The pus is recognizable because it is darker in color and not as transparent as normal wound fluid. See your doctor if you notice these changes on your skin. bacterial infection must be treated with antibiotics.
- Bacterial infection can also affect other tissues, bones, joints and enter the bloodstream, leading to septicemia.
- All of these infections are dangerous and need to be treated immediately.
- Symptoms of a more generalized bone, joint, or blood system infection include:
- Fever over 38 ° C;
- Hot and painful areas to the touch (bones, joints, tissues);
- Aching or painful joints when used
- Respiratory difficulties;
- Chest pain;
- Worsening of cough
- General feeling of true malaise. In most cases, fever in children resolves early during chickenpox and even if they experience cold symptoms, little sufferers can still play, laugh, and go for a walk. On the other hand, children with septicemia (blood infection) are calm, want to sleep often, have a fever over 38 ° C, tachycardia and rapid breathing (more than 20 breaths per minute).
Step 3. Be aware of other potential serious complications
Although they are not very frequent, they are quite dangerous and can even lead to death.
- Dehydration: The body does not have the adequate amount of fluids to function properly. First, the lack of fluids affects the brain, blood system and kidneys. Among the symptoms, you can notice a decrease in the amount of urine and its increased concentration, feeling of tiredness, weakness, dizziness and tachidardia.
- Pneumonia: Symptoms are aggravating cough, rapid or difficult breathing, chest pain.
- Bleeding problems.
- Infection or inflammation of the brain. Babies become calm, lethargic and complain of headaches. They may feel confused or have difficulty waking up.
- Toxic shock syndrome.
Step 4. If you had chickenpox as a child, pay attention to the signs of shingles in adulthood, especially after age 40
This viral disease (commonly called shingles) is extremely painful; it is caused by the chickenpox virus itself and is manifested by blisters on one side of the body, chest and face, which can cause numbness. After the first infection, the virus remains dormant in the body until, years later, the immune system is no longer so strong. The often burning pain and numbness often resolve within a few weeks, but even more lasting damage to the eyes and organs can occur if they are affected by the virus. Post herpetic neuralgia is a painful neurological disorder that is difficult to treat and can be a consequence of shingles.
