It’s the seasonal change, dry weather season, but also chickenpox, herpes zoster viral skin disease season, the recent outpatient chickenpox and herpes zoster patients significantly increased, especially many adults with chickenpox, often do not realize that adults can also be infected with chickenpox, the family has children with chickenpox do not pay attention to protection, the result of the family adults have chickenpox symptoms, here on the popularization of “chickenpox “The most important thing that you must know is that chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which occurs in the winter and spring, and is very contagious. Although most mild chickenpox only requires symptomatic treatment, some can be life-threatening. What is the need for early diagnosis and proper treatment? This scientific article will have your most important questions.
Chickenpox has many characteristics
1.Significant features
Fever, many types of pruritic rash, oral and scalp involvement.
2. General manifestations
The rash appears in about 2 days, starting on the trunk and gradually spreading to the head, face and extremities. The rash starts as pruritic erythema and papules, and develops into blisters after 12-14 hours. The rash appears in batches and may be accompanied by papules, blisters, pustules, and crusts. Oral and scalp involvement helps in the diagnosis of chickenpox.
3. Occasional complications, which can be life-threatening
The general mild chickenpox is self-healing and has a good prognosis. Although the incidence of serious complications is low (about 1/1000), once they occur, they are more damaging and even life-threatening. These complications include: bacterial infections of the skin and soft tissues, pneumonia, encephalitis, hemorrhage (thrombocytopenia), sepsis, septicemia, etc. In the immunocompromised population, the morbidity and mortality rate of serious complications is higher.
4. Two-week disease course
If there are no complications, the duration of chickenpox disease in most healthy people is 2 weeks. Antiviral treatment can significantly improve the symptoms and shorten the duration of the disease.
5.No recurrence in general
After infection, the body will produce lasting immunity, as long as the immunity is normal, most people will not be re-infected, that is, not “recurrence”. However, there are still a few people who are re-infected with the disease, but the symptoms of re-infection are generally mild.
Adults, especially pregnant women, should be especially alert to chickenpox
1, adult chickenpox: Although chickenpox is mainly seen in children, adolescents and adults who have not been infected before and have not been vaccinated or immediately vaccinated, but due to reduced immunity, can also appear chickenpox, heavier than children chickenpox, longer prodromal period, more rash, and more itchy. It is often accompanied by high fever. If complications of pneumonia occur, the mortality rate without treatment can be 10-30%.
2, pregnant women chicken pox: in addition to the same as adult chicken pox, more serious, and may affect the development of the fetus, and even lead to the death of the newborn.
Chickenpox is highly contagious
1, the route of infection
The main airborne droplet infection, highly contagious, infectious period from 2 days before the onset of the rash to 5 days after the onset of the rash, the patient’s inhalation secretions, herpes and blood have virus. Direct contact with herpes fluid can also be contagious. A dry, crusted rash is not contagious. Patients should be isolated until all rashes have dried and crusted over. The patient’s room, clothing and utensils can be disinfected by ultraviolet radiation, ventilation, sunlight and boiling.
2. Infection does not necessarily develop after infection
Most of the infections are insidious, that is, there are no symptoms. About 70-90% of the normal population within 15 years of age have been infected, and 98% of adults have been infected, but only a few have developed chickenpox. If the disease develops, it often appears about 2 weeks after infection with fever rash, etc.
3.Incubation period
The incubation period of chickenpox is 10 to 20 days, with an average of about 2 weeks. The incubation period of chickenpox is 10 to 20 days, with an average of about 2 weeks. This means that a fever and rash will appear about 2 weeks after infection.
Varicella vaccine can prevent chickenpox 90% of the time
Live attenuated varicella vaccination can prevent chickenpox 90% of the time, and even if it occurs, the symptoms are mild. Although varicella vaccine does not prevent the occurrence of shingles, it can reduce the incidence.
How to treat chickenpox
1. Symptomatic treatment for healthy children
For healthy children younger than 12 years old with mild symptoms, only symptomatic treatment is needed for complications.
Antiviral treatment is needed for the following groups
(1) Adolescents (older than 13 years old) who have not been vaccinated, or adults who have been vaccinated but still have the disease, or pregnant women.
(2) Immunocompromised (e.g. HIV infection, use of immunosuppressive drugs, etc.)
(3) Having chronic skin or lung diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, Darier’s disease, congenital ichthyosis-like erythrodermatitis, etc., because of the tendency to develop complications secondary to bacterial infection.
(4) Children who are taking oral (more than 20 mg of prednisone per day for more than 14 days) or inhaled glucocorticoids.
(5) Those who are taking salicylic acid drugs such as aspirin orally.
2.Anti-viral treatment
For those who do not have complications, they can take oral vaxilovir or acyclovir. For those with complications, intravenous acyclovir is used. Antiviral therapy will not affect the body’s immunity to reinfection. If treatment is needed, antiviral therapy should be administered within 72 hours of rash onset, preferably within 24 hours. Usually antiviral treatment is given for 5-7 days.
3. Aspirin cannot be used to reduce fever
Acetaminophen can be used, and other non-aspirin NSAIDs can be used. Patients with chickenpox cannot use aspirin and other salicylates because it will increase the risk of acute encephalopathy syndrome in patients with chickenpox.
4. Treatment of itching
For those with significant itching can take oral antihistamines, and nails should be trimmed to avoid scratching and secondary bacterial infection. If the blisters are not broken, topical itching can be relieved by topical application of stove glycol lotion, etc. Pay attention to dressing gently and coolly to keep the environment cool, which is conducive to itching relief. You can take a bath during chicken pox, proper cleaning can reduce secondary bacterial infections of the skin.
5.Improve immunity
For those who have low immunity can take oral immunity-boosting drugs to avoid the spread of viruses and secondary bacterial infections. Don’t stay up late and tired and pay attention to rest.