Complications of the child after chickenpox from the respiratory and nervous system. Chicken pox virus

Varicella Zoster( varicella-zoster), a member of the herpesvirus family, is the causative agent of chicken pox. Despite the fact that its survival in the external environment is reduced to zero, its virulence is 100%.

Pediatric Disease

Most people consider chickenpox an ordinary and fearless childhood disease, but this opinion is mistaken. Despite the fact that in adults this disease is much more difficult, complications in a child after chicken pox can also not be harmless.

Infection with chickenpox occurs by airborne droplets, mainly by direct contact with an already ill person. To get infected from third parties or from household items is considered impossible.

Do not think that you can get a varicella-zoster virus from a person who has visible signs of this disease( green-ripped rashes).A person becomes an infection carrier a few days before the onset of a rash, and they, in turn, can start from the 10th to the 21st day after contact with the sick person.

The infectious period comes to an end only when new rashes cease to appear, and old ones become crusted and dry up.

Symptoms of

The onset of the disease may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• general malaise;
• headache;
• increase in body temperature to 38-40 degrees;
• abdominal pain;
• appearance of rashes on the skin.

Eruptions( they indicate that this is a varicella-zoster virus) can appear on the back, stomach, head, face, genital area and the mucous membranes of the mouth( rarely - the eyes).

They cause severe discomfort, because they cause itching. But it is necessary in every possible way to prevent their combing.

Within a few hours, the rash becomes covered with vesicles, which dry up after 2-3 days, and disappear after 6-8 completely. The scar can stay if you comb the abscess, thereby damaging the germ layer. Heat and rashes are observed from five to fourteen days, depending on the course of the disease and the treatment undertaken.

There are typical and atypical forms of chicken pox. Most often, the first variant is found, in which the light, moderate and severe forms of the disease are distinguished. The second is diagnosed much less often, and it is extremely dangerous - fraught with complications and even fatal outcomes.

How to treat

The very first thing you should do when you find out the symptoms of Varicella Zoster is to consult your doctor. It must be called on the house, because your visit to the clinic is accompanied by a risk of infection for a large number of people.

The doctor will prescribe the treatment based on the patient's medical history and pattern of illness. This will avoid a possible complication in a child after chickenpox.

Treatment of varicella is carried out mainly at home and is limited to the following recommendations:

• to comply with bed rest;
• take as necessary antipyretic agents;
• adhere to the recommended diet;
• treat abscesses with antiseptic agents( if necessary with analgesic effect);
• prescribed by the doctor to take antihistamines and antiviral drugs;
• pay special attention to hygiene.

With rare exceptions, hospitalization may be required. This becomes necessary in the case of a severe form of the course of the disease, and especially in the presence of symptoms of damage to the nervous system. In a hospital environment, there is a higher chance of avoiding undesirable consequences.

Bacterial complications

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid complications. Despite the fact that this happens rarely, the consequences can be very serious. There are following types of complications after chickenpox: bacterial and viral.

The most common complications are the attachment of a bacterial background to the elements of the rash caused by Varicella Zoster. This is due to combing the wounds and the possibility of attaching streptococcal or staphylococcal infection. This raises fears that the infection will spread throughout the body, and the doctor must prescribe an antibiotic.

Also bacteria are able to give complications to internal organs. For example, bacterial pneumonia may develop, if suspected of being treated in a hospital.

The most serious complication of bacterial character is meningoencephalitis( brain damage).In this case, it is also necessary to immediately seek medical help.

Complications caused by the

virus Also complications in a child after chickenpox can be caused by a virus. For example, if the virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract. This can provoke viral pneumonia, which, like bacterial, is treated exclusively in the hospital, but with the use of antiviral drugs.

One of the most serious complications is a false cereal, provoked by wind-eroded rashes on the larynx. At the same time, the child's larynx swells, not allowing to breathe, and it begins to turn blue. In this situation, you need to call an ambulance.

Complications caused by viral brain damage are also severe. With timely, properly selected treatment, viral encephalitis can pass without consequences.

Sometimes there are heart and kidney lesions with the varicella-zoster virus or the bleeding( nasal, gastric, pulmonary) caused by it.

How to protect yourself?

The body of a person who has once had chicken pox disease, develops to it persistent immunity. But what do those who have not had the "happiness" to bear this disease in childhood, when the course and possible complications of the disease are the least? It is recommended to vaccinate.

This simple procedure reliably protects against the virus, does not cause complications and is easily transferred. Especially the vaccine is shown to women of childbearing age who did not suffer from chickenpox in childhood, since infection with this virus during pregnancy leads to frightening consequences.

In any case, this childhood disease should be treated as an adult. For proper and timely treatment, in order to avoid complications in a child after chickenpox, specialist help is needed.