Complications after chickenpox. Chickenpox in children: complications and consequences of illiterate treatment

Chickenpox has been familiar to all of us since childhood. Who has never seen people with green speckles or has not experienced this themselves? Almost everything in early age suffer from this disease, which is why it is considered a childhood disease and is not taken seriously. On the contrary, some parents “exchange” illness by bringing their healthy children to play with sick ones: so that they are sure to get sick earlier.

However, not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. This seemingly harmless disease in rare cases turns into complications, which can be simply unpleasant or very serious. Diseases resulting from such complications can even cause death. Therefore, you need to be fully prepared and know about the possible consequences of chickenpox in children in order to prevent the development side effects or seek help in time.

Varicella or chickenpox is a viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets. It's caused by a virus herpes simplex Varicella-Zoster, characterized by very high contagiousness. Communication with a person with chickenpox will almost 100% lead to infection, if you have not had the disease before. Chickenpox usually occurs only once, after past infection lifelong immunity occurs. However, in rare cases, some people become ill for the second time in their lives. This may be due to the transformation of viruses, their adaptation to existing drugs.

Incubation period in an infected person it lasts from one to three weeks. It becomes contagious 2-3 days before the first rash appears, which is why many children who have been in contact with the carrier of the disease often get sick, especially in children's groups.

— The symptoms of chickenpox are as follows:

• increased body temperature, sometimes up to 39.5 degrees (a common but optional symptom);
• the appearance of pimples, which later turn into pink and red papules with liquid;
• weakness, body aches;
• itching in areas of rash;
• rapid wave-like spread of the rash throughout the body, including the face, mucous membranes and genitals.

The rash lasts 5-7 days, with a new wave of papules appearing every 2-3 days, this may be accompanied by a new rise in temperature. Over time, papules dry out and become crusty. The contagiousness of a sick child or adult disappears 7 days after the last rash. You can also find out whether you can swim if you have chickenpox.

Treatment of chickenpox is symptomatic. If a child has a high temperature, it needs to be brought down, but there is very important nuance: Only paracetamol can be used as an antipyretic. Ibuprofen, which, together with paracetamol, is the drug of choice for fever in children, is prohibited from being given for chickenpox. In some cases, it can lead to severe skin infections. Despite the rarity of such side effects, it is, of course, not worth the risk, since there is a safe alternative in the form of paracetamol.

Papules on the skin are usually spot-smeared with brilliant green or fucorcin. This does not cure the rash, but it does help it dry out faster. The main function of these tools is to note the elements of the rash that have appeared, in order to then see new ones and understand when the rashes stopped. This is a signal that the disease has stopped, and from this moment you can count the week after which the patient is no longer contagious. You may also want to know what else you can smear on your skin, besides brilliant green.

Sometimes doctors prescribe antiherpetic drugs(Gerpevir, Acyclovir, Zovirax) and antiviral drugs.

There is a vaccine against chickenpox. She is not included in the list mandatory vaccinations, they do it infrequently in our country due to the fact that the disease is considered not serious or parents are not aware of the existence of the vaccine. However, the risk of complications after chickenpox in children increases the advisability of vaccination. You can get vaccinated from one year old, so if your baby has not had chickenpox before this age, it makes sense to vaccinate him: the consequences can be unpredictable. In addition, the disease is not always easily tolerated: heat, weakness and terrible itching for several days is not easy to endure, especially for young children, to whom it is not always possible to explain that itching is not allowed to scratch. And scratching is fraught with infection in the affected areas of the skin, including bacteria that cause complications.

Bacterial complications

The penetration of bacteria into a weakened body (including through scratched wounds) can cause bacterial complications:

• Skin: inflammation of existing chickenpox wounds, which begin to fester, the skin around them swells, the liquid in the papules becomes cloudy, this may be accompanied by pain. In this case, there is a high probability of scars at the site of the chickenpox rash.
• Defeat internal organs due to the spread of bacteria throughout the body through the blood. There may be such serious illnesses such as bacterial pneumonia (pneumonia), meningitis (inflammation meninges), meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Such diseases are severe, and without timely and competent treatment can lead to disability or even death.

Signs of the development of meningoencephalitis or meningitis are:

• a sharp increase in temperature;
• nausea, vomiting;
• very strong headache;
• convulsions;
• photophobia;
• Stiffness of the neck muscles when the child throws his head back too much.

If you have the slightest suspicion of such a complication, you should immediately go to the hospital: the success of treatment depends on the speed of seeking help. Treatment of these dangerous diseases is carried out by prescribing antibiotics. Therefore, if you become ill, you must see a doctor to rule out suspicions or prescribe treatment in a timely manner.

Viral complications

The weakening of the body's defenses during chickenpox can cause the addition of another viral infection, which will provoke a viral complication. It could be viral pneumonia or encephalitis. When such conditions are caused by viruses, they occur and are easier to treat. But their cunning is that the symptoms will be similar to the signs chickenpox(temperature up to 38 degrees, lethargy and weakness), so identifying them in time is very difficult. Late detection may affect the severity of treatment. So consulting a doctor if a child has chickenpox is mandatory.

Other possible complications

The herpes virus that causes chickenpox can infect the mucous membranes of the mouth, leading to stomatitis. They look like sores in the mouth and can be painful and uncomfortable. They can appear either on their own or because children, scratching papules on the face and body, bring their contents into their mouths. Therefore, if possible, you should avoid this by monitoring the child or explaining to him (if age allows) that this is not necessary. It will also be useful for parents to learn how to relieve itching with chickenpox in order to alleviate the child’s condition.

Infection of the mucous membrane of the eyes will cause inflammation - conjunctivitis. Symptoms are redness of the eyes, itching or pain, lacrimation, discharge of pus, swelling. The doctor will prescribe necessary treatment: eye drops and antiherpes drugs. It is very important to start a course of treatment on time, because advanced conjunctivitis can also cause complications on its own.

According to statistics, complications after chickenpox are possible in approximately 7% of infected children. WITH special attention it is necessary to take care of babies. Infants are usually protected by maternal antibodies through milk if the mother has had chickenpox. But in rare cases or in the absence of maternal immunity, they are the ones at risk for serious consequences. So, visiting a doctor, carefully monitoring the baby’s condition, and sometimes treatment in a hospital under medical supervision are mandatory measures.

Video

Knowledge about a child's health is never superfluous. Watch a program on chickenpox to learn as much as possible about this infection.

Have you encountered chickenpox in your kids? Or, perhaps, did you experience it yourself as an adult? What helped alleviate the condition? Share in the comments, personal experience always helpful.

The vast majority of chickenpox is mild in children. The most favorable period for getting over this infection is considered to be between 2 and 12 years of age. Usually such children get sick standard scheme, which does not require special treatment, and healing proceeds in its own time and does not leave behind any consequences, except for lasting immunity for life. But sometimes, even with a mild course, complications can arise after chickenpox in children that are difficult to recognize.

Possible negative consequences of chickenpox

If the disease deviates from the typical form against the background weak immunity or in the presence of aggravating pathologies, then complications with chickenpox often arise, the main manifestations of which are a very high temperature (up to 40 o C) and an extensive rash covering the entire body and even mucous membranes, spreading with blood to the internal organs.

Accordingly, the age of up to 2 years is dangerous for the disease, when the child’s immunity has not yet fully formed and he cannot independently overcome viral intoxication. Such children require constant monitoring and are treated as inpatients. Special group Infants are at risk.

Complications of chickenpox in children under one year of age occur when their mother did not have the disease in childhood and if they do not receive breast milk.

Through breast milk the baby receives maternal antibodies that protect him from chickenpox and its consequences. But if the mother does not have antibodies, then the likelihood of complications increases sharply, which are accompanied by a rise in temperature to 40 o C, leading to dehydration, which is very dangerous for the baby and illiterate treatment can lead to death.

Adolescents over 12 years of age are equivalent to adults in the course of the disease; they often experience complications with chickenpox.

Types of pathologies

Let's look at what complications there may be after chickenpox. Conventionally, they are divided into two types:

1. Bacterial - arise due to secondary bacterial infection in place of the combed bubbles. Pathogenic bacteria penetrate into the damaged epidermis, causing inflammatory foci, with suppuration and swelling of the skin.
2. Viral - herpes penetrates various internal organs and systems through the blood, disrupting their normal functioning.

Both the primary infection (virus) and the secondary one (bacteria) lead to complications of chickenpox in children, and it is difficult to diagnose such consequences precisely due to the different nature of the pathogen that caused secondary disease. Therefore, the treatment approach must be comprehensive to exclude both types of infection. Parents need to remember that if there are any nonspecific signs during or after chickenpox, you need to call a doctor so as not to miss the complications of chickenpox that occur in children.

Lesions of the skin and mucous membranes

Occurs when a rash spreads widely on the body and mucous membranes with the formation of foci of inflammation of different localization:

• Skin lesions after extensive foci of inflammation with tissue necrosis, scars and cicatrices on the skin.
• Otitis - causes infection of the wound in the ear due to chickenpox in a child.
• Conjunctivitis – when an infection gets into the eye.
• Inflammation of the cornea - formed from damage to the eye with the formation of scars and decreased vision.
• Stomatitis - in the oral cavity.
• Vulvitis and phlegmon - on the genitals of girls.
• Lymphadenitis - damage to the lymph nodes with pain and swelling of the skin over the affected lymph nodes with chickenpox, up to suppuration and surgical intervention. In this case, the lymph node becomes denser and loses its protective properties.
• Necrotizing fasciitis is a dangerous complication of chickenpox with the addition of streptococcal infection, accompanied by muscle pain and swelling of the limbs.

Respiratory system lesions

• Acute laryngitis, chickenpox croup - inflammation of the larynx.
• Chickenpox pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs. Possible as bacterial form, and viral, they need to be differentiated. The temperature rises after chickenpox, a dry cough is characteristic, then becomes wet, hemoptysis, shortness of breath. Required complex therapy, hospitalization is required to prevent the development of pulmonary edema and respiratory failure, which can lead to death. It is necessary to give the child more fluid. Children tolerate viral pneumonia more easily than bacterial pneumonia, which occurs with more severe symptoms.

Lesions of the central nervous system

These are heavy inflammatory infections brain and its membranes – encephalitis and meningitis, developing after chickenpox. This also includes damage to the cranial nerves.

All these dangerous conditions require qualified therapy. The appearance of the slightest signs is a reason to immediately call an ambulance medical care. The treatment is difficult and difficult.

Symptoms of meningitis/encephalitis from chickenpox in children:

• Convulsions;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Severe pain in the head;
• Decreased visual acuity;
• Impaired coordination of movements;
• Confusion and loss of consciousness.

Most sick children are completely cured if treatment is started on time. But death cannot be ruled out in particularly severe cases (about 10%), and in 15% of patients the following consequences remain:

• impaired reflexes;
• epileptic seizures;
• paresis, etc.

Damage to the peripheral nervous system

Most often these are facial asymmetry and flaccid paralysis.

Damage to the genital organs

For boys and girls, the consequences of this group of complications after chickenpox are different. Careful care allows girls to achieve full recovery.

In boys, complications of chickenpox bring very noticeable pain in the inflamed areas of the head of the penis and foreskin, especially when urinating, with subsequent scarring. This may affect future sexual function. The use of brilliant green here is extremely undesirable; it is better to use fucorcin.

Inflammatory processes on the legs

Dangerous complications of chickenpox in children occur, although extremely rarely, in the form of inflammation in the lower extremities:

• arthritis;
• bursitis;
• myositis;
• thrombophlebitis.

Lesions of internal organs

The spread of the virus through the blood throughout the body causes all sorts of complications after chickenpox in the form of inflammation of internal organs:

• hepatitis (liver);
• myocarditis (heart muscle);
• nephritis (kidneys);
• pancreatitis (pancreas);
• damage to the spleen;
• inflammation of the bone marrow.

Allergy due to chickenpox

The main allergic reaction is itching on the emerging elements of chickenpox during illness. You can reduce the symptoms of allergies due to chickenpox antihistamines(Suprastin, Tavegil).

One more possible consequence A rash may occur after chickenpox. If it is flat and does not form bubbles, then it is most likely urticaria. By its nature it is allergic rash, which appeared in response to treatment for chickenpox. The solution is to select other drugs without side effects.

Weakened immunity

A common consequence after chickenpox is a significant weakening of the body's overall immunity. Children get sick with colds much more often; cytomegalovirus (CMV) can become more active and worsen. chronic infections and inflammation.

IN Lately There are frequent cases of re-infection with the virus, which manifests itself in the form of shingles, including in children. The reason is exhaustion immune defense against the backdrop of unfavorable external factors, chronic pathologies.

The herpes virus, once inside, is not removed from the body and is present in it throughout a person’s life, being in a dormant state. And any immunodeficiency can provoke the breakdown of immune complexes with the release of the active virus.

Is it possible to prevent complications after chickenpox in children and what measures should be taken?

Preventing the negative consequences of chickenpox

The most basic measure to combat complications of chickenpox in a child is to follow the rules of hygiene in order to timely cleanse the skin in the affected areas and prevent further infection. These rules include:

• clean hands;
• short-cropped nails, the youngest should wear gloves;
• frequent bathing (showering) without a washcloth and without wiping with a towel, using only light blotting without damaging the bubbles;
• after bathing, smearing new rashes with brilliant green;
• always clean bed linen and clothes;
• maintaining an optimal (cool) room temperature to relieve itching;
• the use of antihistamines to relieve persistent itching;
• drink plenty of fluids to quickly relieve intoxication and replenish the water-salt balance;
• complete nutrition without foods that cause allergies and are difficult to digest.

Adults need to carefully monitor the child’s condition and call a doctor at the slightest suspicious symptoms in order to prevent complications after chickenpox.

Chickenpox (chickenpox) is an acute infectious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Chicken pox is widespread among the population, affecting mainly preschool children (from one to 4-5 years), both boys and girls. Chickenpox is considered a mild disease, but if complications develop, it can be fatal, which is often underestimated. Complications after chickenpox in a child include damage to nervous tissue, respiratory system organs and the addition of a bacterial infection.

Consequences of chickenpox in children: how great is the danger?

In the vast majority of cases, children easily tolerate the disease, the outcome is favorable, full recovery. But in rare cases, the disease occurs in a severe form (bullous, gangrenous, hemorrhagic) or leads to the development of complications. The most dangerous complications include encephalitis, pneumonia, bacterial skin infection, and septic conditions. The incidence of complications with chickenpox is approximately 0.5%. Thus, the chickenpox virus is dangerous to the human body, and the disease can be fatal.

Risk group

Complicated course of chickenpox occurs mainly in children with weakened immune systems.

The presence of the following conditions in a child allows him to be classified as at risk:

• HIV infection;
• taking glucocorticosteroids to treat other diseases;
• immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation;
• oncological diseases;
• chronic kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis, renal failure);
• allergic pathology (atopic dermatitis);
• rheumatological diseases.

Complications often occur in adults and older children, which also allows them to be classified as a risk group.

What are the complications of chickenpox in children?

All complications that arise after past illness, are divided into two groups:

1. Specific – caused by the action of the pathogen (varicella-zoster virus).
2. Nonspecific - occur when bacterial flora attaches.

Dividing consequences into specific and nonspecific is important for determining treatment tactics.

Depending on the location, complications from internal organs, skin and soft tissues are distinguished, nervous system, respiratory system.

Bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues

Most common reason development of bacterial damage to the skin and subcutaneous fat - scratching the itchy elements of the rash. Bacteria enter through damaged areas of the skin.

An early sign of a bacterial skin infection is redness at the base of fresh blisters. The following symptoms will help to suspect a purulent skin lesion:

• repeated increase in body temperature (without rash);
• purulent contents inside the vesicles;
• soreness to touch.

More severe is the occurrence of necrotizing fasciitis - infectious disease leading to necrosis subcutaneous tissue. Necrotizing fasciitis develops primarily during the recovery period. Characterized by redness of the skin, an increase in the volume of the affected limb due to swelling, and intense pain.

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Chickenpox pneumonia

Chickenpox pneumonia is relatively rare (about 1%), but is characterized by a severe course. Pneumonia usually occurs 3-5 days after the rash appears.

Chickenpox pneumonia is characterized by:

• a sharp increase in temperature not associated with the appearance of a rash;
• shortness of breath, which worsens with physical activity;
• moist cough;
• pale skin;
• in severe cases - hemoptysis;
• pain in chest, aggravated by breathing.

Damage to the nervous system

The varicella-zoster virus has a tropism not only for the skin, but also for nerve cells, which is why nerve tissue with chickenpox it is most often affected.

In most cases, symptoms of central nervous system damage develop during the first 7 days, less often - in the second week of illness.

Most dangerous consequence Chickenpox is encephalitis - inflammation of the brain.

How does encephalitis manifest:

• fever;
• general cerebral symptoms - lethargy, headache, increased sensitivity to stimuli (sounds, bright light, touching), vomiting;
• impaired coordination – unsteady gait, instability;
• speech disorder;
• convulsions.

With meningitis, general cerebral symptoms come to the fore (severe headache, vomiting, hyperesthesia, in small children - constant screaming), the development of focal symptoms is not typical.

What to do

If you suspect complications, you should definitely consult a doctor. In most cases, immediate hospitalization is required; treatment at home is not carried out.

Etiotropic treatment

Etiotropic treatment consists of using medications that affect pathogens. Can be applied antiviral drugs or antibacterial agents.

Antiviral drugs are prescribed for treatment specific complications(chickenpox pneumonia, serous meningitis, encephalitis). Antiherpetic drugs are used, for example, Acyclovir, Vidarabine.

Antibiotics are prescribed for treatment bacterial diseases(abscess, phlegmon, bacterial pneumonia, purulent keratitis). Penicillins (Augmentin), macrolides (Erythromycin, Azithromycin), cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone) are used.

Symptomatic treatment

No less important role is given symptomatic treatment, which is aimed at combating symptoms. Detoxification measures are indicated ( infusion therapy), introduction of multivitamins. If the central nervous system is affected, glucocorticosteroids are administered.

Video

We offer you to watch a video on the topic of the article.

Chickenpox is considered one of the most common viral diseases among children. It affects children throughout the world. If the disease is treated under the supervision of a doctor and in accordance with all his recommendations, then no complications arise. Most often, the disease proceeds normally and goes away on its own.

What is chickenpox and what causes it?

Chickenpox is a viral infection that is transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing. Chickenpox has been known since antiquity. Until the second half of the 18th century, it was believed that the disease was directly related to smallpox and was its mild variant.

At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists identified an obvious connection between chickenpox and herpes zoster, since both of these diseases have the same pathogen - the herpes virus. The disease most often affects children under 14 years of age, but it also occurs in people of any other age. A person who has had chickenpox acquires lifelong immunity to the pathogen, although in rare cases a recurrence of the disease is possible.

After Varicella Zoster enters human mucous membranes, the virus begins to multiply productively. The incubation period lasts up to two weeks. During this period, no symptoms of the disease are observed, and the person is considered non-infectious.

When in circulatory system a sufficient amount of Varicella Zoster accumulates, the body begins to sound the alarm. The temperature rises, headache, general weakness appear, and pain in the lumbar region may occur.

After two days, single-capsule vesicles appear on the skin and continue to form on different parts body for the next 5–7 days. Initially, the rash is localized on the stomach, back and limbs, and then appears on the face and head. Under normal conditions clinical picture disease, the blisters quickly dry out, forming small crusts, and the disease gradually subsides.

Complications of chickenpox

In some cases, the herpes virus can cause various kinds of complications in children. This is due to the weakened immunity of the sick child or the presence concomitant diseases chronic in nature, which often affects the complexity of the infection.

It is believed that a mild course of chickenpox occurs in children 2–7 years old. At this age, during the normal course of the disease, the body temperature practically does not rise, the rash is mild, and in some cases the disease may be completely asymptomatic.

What complications can there be after chickenpox in children? The most common:

• stomatitis (appearance of painful rashes in oral cavity);
• pneumonia (inflammatory processes in the lungs);
• encephalitis (brain damage);
• heart damage (myocarditis);
• diseases of the legs and joints (bursitis, arthritis, myositis);
• inflammation of the genital organs;
• lymphadenitis (affecting the entire lymphatic system or individual nodes).

In some cases, as a result allergic reaction on medications or for other reasons, the child develops undulating urticaria. The nature of the rash in this case differs in its external manifestations. Urticaria rashes are flat, without fluid inside.

Skin lesions caused by secondary infection

The chickenpox rash is very itchy and itchy, so scratching the blisters often causes skin complications. Bacteria, getting inside damaged vesicles, cause inflammatory processes accompanied by purulent skin lesions. These may be streptococcal or staphylococcal infections. The consequences of this process are difficult-to-heal wounds, after which scars and deep scars appear. Getting rid of such complications is not easy, often almost impossible.

After recovery, the virus may never bother a person again, but since it is “based” in nerve cells, a decrease in the body’s protective abilities can provoke a so-called secondary infection in the form of another manifestation of the virus – herpes zoster. Skin lesions last from 14 days to a month and, as a rule, go away on their own, with acute swelling and pain.

Complications caused by the same virus

A child weakened by chickenpox is always at risk of developing concomitant infections. Encephalitis can often be a complication of severe chickenpox. Symptoms of this disease include:

• significant increase in body temperature;
• periodic vomiting;
• confusion of consciousness;
• convulsions and tremor phenomena;
• severe headaches.

Chickenpox encephalitis is very dangerous and requires hospital treatment. The mortality rate for this disease is quite high and reaches 10% of the number of cases.

15 out of 100 people have serious consequences in the form of paresis, epileptic seizures and other diseases of the nervous system.

What other complications occur with chickenpox? The consequences of this viral disease infections such as meningitis, polyneuritis and damage to the optic nerve may occur.

Attachment of a bacterial infection

Pneumonia in severe chickenpox is a common complication the impact of the virus on the body, as the child’s immune system weakens, allowing bacteria to easily penetrate into respiratory system. Symptoms of infection include an obsessive dry cough, frequent shortness of breath, and bluish skin.

Pneumonia cannot be treated at home, as there is a risk of death. With this diagnosis, hospitalization is inevitable, because the addition of a bacterial infection can cause swelling of the lung tissue and respiratory failure.

Prevention of complications after chickenpox in children

A correct medical diagnosis and appropriate therapy will help avoid complications after chickenpox. In addition, parental control over rashes on the child’s skin, as well as preventing scratching of the vesicles will ease the course of the infection. The main condition for preventing complications after chickenpox in children is to prevent bacteria from entering the burst blisters.

An important component of preventive measures is the child’s personal hygiene: hand washing antibacterial agents, clean bed linen and clothes, bathing in warm water with herbal infusions, constant ventilation of the rooms. It is important to remember that if you have chickenpox, you should not lower your temperature with aspirin, as this drug can cause problems with the liver. Paracetamol is considered the best antipyretic drug in this case.

A child who has had chickenpox remains susceptible to it for up to six months. various infections, both bacterial and viral, so it is not recommended to visit too crowded places or change climatic conditions. Subject to such simple rules the consequences after chickenpox will not make themselves felt.

Chickenpox is a disease that is considered childhood. At the same time, most parents firmly believe that chickenpox does not cause consequences. However, for 30% of patients the disease does not proceed easily and without consequences.

How is chickenpox transmitted?

Chicken pox is a disease belonging to the herpes group, transmitted by airborne droplets. Chicken pox is considered a childhood disease and is contracted only once (immunity is developed). However, there is a tiny percentage that a person will get the disease again (1% of people). The age range that doctors consider to be peak for the disease is from two to twelve years. Moreover, what younger child, the easier the disease is tolerated.

Chickenpox is accompanied by an increase in temperature to 39°. At the same time, the temperature maximum is reached by people who get sick in adulthood (up to 40°). A common sign of chickenpox is the presence of blisters all over the body. Including on the genitals, in the anus, in the nose, in the ears, between the fingers and so on. In this case, the bubbles at the beginning look like small pimples. Therefore, older people, noticing an unpleasant rash on their face, try to squeeze it out, which cannot be done, as there may be consequences.

It is noted that the bubbles with chickenpox look different. For example, there is a red spot on the shoulder, and a pimple on the face is filled with clear or cloudy liquid.

It is noted that people who have already had the disease are carriers of the infection. And if there was communication with an infectious person, then chickenpox healthy man brings it into the house. By doing this, the infected person puts their family members at risk of contracting chickenpox. You can also become infected if an infected person appears at the entrance. Then through the open front door the disease penetrates into the remaining apartments located in this entrance.

Attention! If blisters are found on the child’s body, it is necessary to call a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and receive treatment recommendations. Self-medication is strictly prohibited!

Attention! If the temperature exceeds 39.5, the baby needs to call ambulance for further hospitalization of the patient.

According to statistical information provided by infectious disease specialists, a moderate surge in chickenpox infection is expected in 2019. At the same time, unprotected layers are considered to be people living in warm climatic conditions. There is also a period during which there is a high probability of infection (October-November).

Why problems might arise.

As doctors note, children with chickenpox range from two to twelve years of age. Such babies tolerate the disease more easily, the temperature does not exceed 39° and the rashes are not considered too profuse.

However, there are cases where chickenpox affects young children (under 1 year), adolescents (14-16 years old) and adults. In these categories, complications of chickenpox in children are possible.

The temperature range is more than 39.5° and this is due to the fact that during the period of illness a person has a greatly reduced immunity or has chronic diseases.

Complications of chickenpox are of the following types:

• Viral;
• Bacterial.

Viral consequences are associated with the aggressive behavior of the pathogen (herpes type 3). To prevent complications, drugs with antiviral effect. Similar medications include the following drugs: acyclovir, viferon, interferon, immunoflasitis and the like.

Bacterial complications occur due to non-compliance hygiene procedures and liquefied immunity. To avoid such consequences, it is enough to smear the rash with brilliant green or fucarcin (depending on the doctor’s recommendations). Change clothes (loose) often and take a light shower (36-37°), do not rub the baby with a towel, but gently wet it. Trim your nails short and avoid scratching the blisters (help prevent scratching antihistamines to relieve itching).

Pneumonia due to chickenpox.

Pneumonia (or pneumonia) is a common complication of chickenpox. The fact is that when a disease occurs, bubbles may appear not only in visible places, but also on internal organs.

Primary signs of pneumonia:

• Coughing;
• Shortness of breath;
• Blueness of the skin;
• Expectoration of blood;
• Complaints about difficulty breathing.

If such symptoms are detected, the patient is admitted to the hospital to prevent the formation of pulmonary edema. Also, during hospitalization, the source of pneumonia is identified, since the process can be caused by both chickenpox itself and bacteria that leaked along with the existing disease.

The first signs of chickenpox pneumonia appear even before the onset of chickenpox, or in the first days of the rash. Pregnant women and adults with reduced immunity are more susceptible to this condition than others. The likelihood of a legal outcome is low, but possible without proper treatment.

Another complication of chickenpox is encephalitis. Treatment occurs exclusively in a hospital, since the probability of death reaches 10%. As in other cases, encephalitis is formed during extreme severe course diseases. At the same time, children born to mothers who are not immune to the disease are added to the risk group.

Encephalitis is an infection that affects cells in the brain and central nervous system (CNS). Encephalitis is divided into two periods - early and late. The early one appears in the first days of the rash and is called prevaricella. The late one is noted on the 5-15th day of illness (during this period the patient is at the stage of recovery) and is called post-varicella.

It is noted that early encephalitis progresses starting from brain damage, while late encephalitis has an infectious-allergic reaction to chickenpox. Prevaricella encephalitis is considered a less favorable diagnosis and adults often face death. However, the presence of this type of complication occurs in people who suffer from chickenpox in adulthood.

The primary signs of encephalitis are:

• Very strong increase in temperature;
• Vomit;
• Severe headaches (migraines);
• Convulsions;
• Involuntary contraction of the muscles of the arms or legs (tremors);
• Unsteady gait;
• Disorders of consciousness.

The consequences of encephalitis with chickenpox are extremely difficult to avoid (15% of patients have no complications). Complications are expressed in epilepsy attacks or other lesions of the central nervous system.

Skin complications.

Complications of chickenpox occur in the form of marks on the face and body (95% of people). The fact is that the blisters that appear due to the disease produce severe itching. If you scratch the affected areas, the consequences may not be limited to simple scars. However, scars are not considered serious complications, rather they are considered a nuisance that somewhat interferes with true beauty.

So, a list of skin consequences:

• Scars;
• Boils;
• Abscesses;
• Phlegmon.

With the exception of scars, other complications of chickenpox are observed in older people, especially people with diabetes.

Scars.

During periods of unbearable itching, people, especially children, try to scratch the wound. This behavior leads to the fact that the combed bubble bursts and lets in pathogenic bacteria, which cause re-inflammation. Repeated inflammation does not cause an itchy effect, but this is considered a consequence of the formation of small scars or depressions, which are almost impossible to get rid of.

It is noted that the bubbles that are located in the ears require close attention, since if you scratch the bubble, this leads to otitis media. A similar picture occurs with blisters in the oral cavity, only excessive scratching leads to the formation of stomatitis. The eyes and eyelids are also areas of concern, as repeated inflammation leads to vision loss in adults and corneal damage.

However, the consequences can be prevented if you follow the rules of hygiene when treating wounds. At the same time, the manifestation of vision problems is marked by a sharp redness of the eyes, so preventing the consequences is quite simple if you consult a doctor in a timely manner.

The genitals are also exposed to rashes, and repeated inflammation does not cause critical consequences. However, in the future, especially in boys, it causes severe discomfort during sexual activity.

Boils.

This type of complication is possible if bacteria of streptococcal or staphylococcal origin get into the wound. In the infected area, a lump appears that is very painful and burns, and an abscess forms in the center.

Subsequently, the purulent formation breaks down on its own, forming an open wound in the center of which there is a rod. After the rod comes out (an independent process), the pain goes away. However, after healing, a scar remains that cannot be corrected.

Abscesses.

Abscess formation is caused by bacteria entering the wound. Staphylococcus aureus. It is easy to recognize the presence of an abscess formation. A painful lump appears on the patient’s body with severe redness and a small pustule, which is located in a “capsule”.

However, you cannot remove the formation yourself, since the purulent content often reaches several liters. Extraction of formation occurs under local anesthesia in a hospital, by making an incision and pouring the contents into a special container.

Then the incised area is sutured and antibiotic medications are prescribed to completely eradicate the infection.

After the operation, a scar remains. The size of the abscess depends on the strength of the patient’s immunity. The weaker the immune system, the greater the education.

Phlegmon.

The complication in the form of phlegmon differs from an abscess in that the purulent contents are not located inside the capsule and spread throughout the body. Therefore, phlegmon causes a strong increase in temperature. However, after the “uterus” is removed, the temperature drops, but as in the previous case, a deep scar remains.

Other complications.

Other complications of chickenpox include the following types:

• Pyelonephritis;
• Liver damage (If the patient has latent hepatitis);
• Myocarditis;
• Chickenpox croup;
• Vulvitis or inflammation of the foreskin;
• Arthritis;
• Thrombophlebitis;
• During pregnancy;
• Decreased general immunity.

Pyelonephritis is a disease associated with inflammation of the kidneys. With pyelonephritis, the renal glomeruli increase in size and it is extremely difficult to recover from the disease. The first signs of pyelonephritis appear at the end of the period of rash and are accompanied by vomiting, abdominal pain and headaches.

Liver damage is usually a rare event and occurs if a person has an active or passive form of hepatitis.

Myocarditis is a heart attack that is often fatal. However, people of mature age are considered at risk. Primary signs of myocarditis appear 7-17 days after the onset of the rash, with shortness of breath and excessive fatigue.

Chickenpox croup occurs due to the appearance of bubbles in the larynx and on respiratory tract. The first sign of a complication is acute laryngitis. Treatment of such consequences is carried out only in a hospital under the constant and close supervision of medical personnel.

Vulvitis (in girls) or inflammation of the foreskin (in boys), as a rule, appears after repeated inflammation of the wound. The fact is that if a girl develops a rash on her labia and is re-infected, then after recovery she will develop gynecological problems. And in boys, the rash should be located in the area of ​​the glans penis or on the foreskin. If in other places, then discomfort is likely in the future when intimacy. To avoid such consequences, you should closely monitor that the child does not scratch or overheat the genitals.

Arthritis is inflammatory process in the joint area, which is also considered a consequence of chickenpox. In this case, treatment of arthritis is carried out in a hospital, or you can come daily for rehabilitation procedures. There are times when arthritis goes away on its own, but there is no time frame (often after the veterinary rash clears). The primary sign of arthritis is muscle and joint pain. The peak time for pain is night time. In the morning, swelling and swelling of the joints are noted; with arthritis, the patient is practically unable to walk, so he has to spend a lot of time in bed. To give the sick person the opportunity to sleep and rest normally, painkillers are allowed.

Thrombophlebitis is the likelihood of blood clots forming in the legs. The disease is similar to varicose veins, and pregnant women and older people are at risk.

Most dangerous complications Chickenpox is observed in pregnant women. If the disease overtakes the expectant mother in the first trimester, then there is a high probability of terminating the pregnancy. However, if the fetus manages to survive, then the baby is later born with various developmental disabilities. In rare cases, with underdeveloped limbs, brain damage and so on are also possible.

If a woman gets chickenpox during the third trimester, then the baby is born with congenital chickenpox. This affects immune system the baby is extremely unfavorable. There is also a possible risk of damage to internal organs.

A general decrease in immunity is considered a mild complication. With complications after chickenpox, children may often develop illnesses such as colds and flu. However, pediatricians believe that it is easy to restore immunity if you adhere to special nutritional rules and take vitamins.

How to prevent chickenpox and its complications.

For 2018, Russian pediatricians offer people ways to avoid chickenpox:

• Vaccination;
• Maintaining hygiene rules.

In Russia, a vaccine against chickenpox was invented about five years ago. Vaccination has an effect on the principle of the settlement of bacteria, which force the body to develop immunity. The vaccine should be given to the following categories of people:

• Children from twelve months (get two vaccinations: at twelve to fifteen months and again during kindergarten);
• Children who did not have chickenpox and did not receive the vaccine in preschool age;
• Adults who also did not have chickenpox in childhood;
• People who do not remember whether they were sick in childhood chicken pox;
• Persons who were not sick but had contact with an infected person.

The vaccine provides 95% protection against infection. However, there is a five percent chance that the infection will enter the body. At the same time, it is much easier to transfer the disease than without vaccination. It is noted that the majority of Russian pediatricians are against chickenpox vaccination. This is explained by the fact that the disease passes without consequences if it is suffered in childhood.

90% of parents purposefully infect their children through communication with sick children. However, pediatricians oppose such parental behavior, since children are different and experience the disease differently. Parents do not understand that purposefully infecting a baby does not always have the right effect on the child’s immunity.

It is possible to prevent further spread of infection if you follow certain quarantine rules:

• Keeping the patient in bed rest;
• Limiting communication with healthy people;
• Official registration sick leave(after calling a pediatrician or therapist);
• Limit contact with people with weak immune systems.

Quarantine during chickenpox lasts at least ten days, and is divided into two periods. The first period, which lasts 5 days, is called the rash period. At this moment, the patient is having quite a hard time; fever, itching and insomnia are possible. The second period, which also lasts 5 days, is called the recovery period. During this period, the rashes become crusty and fall off. However, contact during the second period is also impossible, since the patient is also infected and transmits the infection to others.

To prevent complications of chickenpox, pediatricians recommend following the following hygiene rules:

• Periodic hand washing;
• Short-cut nails;
• Frequent replacement of clothes and bed linen;
• Taking a shower with a temperature of no more than 36-37°;
• Gently blotting a wet body after a shower.

During illness, hand washing is the first item on the list of recommendations. Due to severe itching, the child itches involuntarily, and in order to avoid consequences, the hands must remain clean, while the baby’s nails must be cut as short as possible.

Frequent changes of clothes are also an important point, since during illness the child is subject to friction with underwear and bed linen. Since this provokes the formation of new rashes.

Pediatricians prohibit taking a bath during chickenpox, but showering and washing are necessary to prevent new formations. It is recommended to treat the blisters with brilliant green or fucorcin 2 times a day.

After taking a shower, do not allow the patient's affected body to be rubbed with a towel. Gentle blotting with a cotton towel or clean diaper is allowed.

Thus, it is possible to prevent complications of chickenpox if you follow the doctor's instructions, observe good hygiene and take antihistamines.