Chickenpox in adults: "childhood sore" at a respectable age. Chickenpox in adults, photos, symptoms - if an adult gets sick with chickenpox Discharge with chickenpox in women

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection. The disease is caused by a virus and usually affects children under 15. But about 10% of the total number of people infected are adults and adolescents. It is at this age that the course of the disease can be complicated by serious problems. Therefore, everyone who did not have chickenpox in childhood should have complete information about this infection and protect themselves from it as much as possible.

Features of chickenpox in adults

Many people think of chickenpox as an exclusively childhood infection that everyone gets once in a lifetime. This is not entirely true. Unvaccinated adults who have never had chickenpox remain at risk of infection.

The disease is caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is transmitted by airborne droplets or through direct contact with a rash.

Varicella-Zoster is unstable in the external environment, but very well protected inside the cells of the human body

The Varicella-Zoster virus (chickenpox) belongs to the herpesvirus family. The primary infection is chickenpox, and the reactivation of the virus in the body causes shingles.

If children tolerate chickenpox relatively easily and, as a rule, without consequences, then adults are likely to develop complications. At risk people with weakened immune systems:

• undergoing chemotherapy;
• have undergone organ or bone marrow transplants;
• HIV-infected.

The main danger of chickenpox is its extremely high infectivity. Even just being in the same room with a carrier of an active virus, a person gets sick almost 100% of cases if he does not have immunity to infection. That is why an adult needs to know for sure if he had chickenpox as a child.

But what if the person does not own this information? There are three ways to find out:

1. The quickest and easiest way is to ask your parents. Mothers perfectly remember all the illnesses of their child even after many years.
2. Children's medical record is the document where all information about diseases of an early age is recorded. Many parents take their children's medical records for signature for home storage after the child reaches 15 years of age. But important information is transferred from a child's card to an adult when it is issued.
3. If it turned out to be impossible to "obtain" information about one's childhood diseases, there remains one more reliable way to find out the presence of immunity against chickenpox. To do this, it is necessary to pass an analysis for the presence of IgG antibodies in the blood (permanent immunity) to the Zoster virus. If the result is positive, the person may not worry about the possibility of infection. Negative - indicates a lack of immunity to infection and the need for preventive vaccination.

Chickenpox during pregnancy

Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause complications for both the woman herself and the developing fetus. The risk of complications from chickenpox increases dramatically if a pregnant woman:

• smokes;
• sick with bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema;
• has been taking or taking steroids within the past three months;
• is for more than 20 weeks.

Chickenpox during pregnancy can be dangerous for the development of complications in the fetus

A woman in a position can face really serious conditions, such as:

• pneumonia (pneumonia);
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain);
• hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).

Thanks to modern antiviral treatment and intensive care, such cases are rather an exception.

In most pregnant women who develop chickenpox, the fetus is resistant to harmful effects. Complications that can affect an unborn baby depend on which week of pregnancy the infection occurred:

If a nursing mother gets sick with chickenpox, then doctors, as a rule, advise to continue breastfeeding as usual, since passive immunity to the virus is transmitted to the child with the mother's milk. Thus, the baby either will not get sick at all, or will suffer mild chickenpox. At the same time, the rash on the chest should be covered in order to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus by contact.

At the first suspicion of chickenpox, for example, if a pregnant woman was in contact with or was in the same room with an infected person, she should immediately seek advice from a gynecologist-obstetrician.

Video: why chickenpox is dangerous for adults

Classification of the disease

Chickenpox occurs in people in different ways. Its forms are distinguished according to the severity of the flow:

1. Light (up to 10% of patients). Body temperature does not exceed 37.5-38 degrees. Moderate amount of pimples on the body and face. The patient feels well.
2. Medium severity (about 80%). Fever reaches 39 degrees. Itchy rash is pronounced. There may be signs of intoxication - a person is nauseous, vomits, he feels weak, chills, body aches.
3. Severe (less than 10%) is one of the variants of the atypical course of the disease. Heat up to 40 degrees. A profuse rash that can be present not only on the skin, but also on mucous membranes, such as in the mouth. The patient often vomits, the head hurts badly. A severe form can manifest itself in one of three types of rashes:
   • hemorrhagic rash - the presence of small hemorrhages on the skin in addition to the classic chickenpox rash, usually affects patients with chronic diseases of the blood vessels (blood clotting disorders, inflammation of the vascular walls);
   • bullous rash - the appearance of blisters on the skin of a relatively large area, inside of which fluid accumulates, a wound remains in their place, which takes a long time to heal;
   • purulent (gangrenous) rash - arises from the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection, the vesicles fill with pus, and a dark border (necrotic part of the tissues) may be present along the rim.

Severe forms of chickenpox are associated with dangerous complications in the course of the disease

Generalized (visceral) is a rare form that is associated with simultaneous damage to internal organs. It affects people with low immune status.

Mild and moderate forms of severity refer to the classic, or typical, course of the disease. Varieties of a severe form are considered an atypical course of a viral infection.

In addition, there is another atypical form. This is the so-called erased (rudimentary) chickenpox, when the temperature rises very slightly - no more than 37.5 o C - or remains normal at all, and only single pimples are visible on the skin. It is easy to miss or confuse with another medical condition.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults

The first symptoms of chickenpox appear between 10 and 21 days after exposure to the virus. Although the signs of chickenpox in adults are similar to those in children, they tend to be more serious.

Feeling unwell begins with body aches, headaches and fever. Intoxication symptoms (nausea, vomiting) may be present, but not always. After a viral infection enters the body by the respiratory route, it primarily attacks the lymphatic system. Therefore, an increase in regional lymph nodes - on the neck, under the jaw - is a natural phenomenon.

Then, after 1-2 days, a characteristic rash occurs:

• first, bulging red or pink pimples appear on the skin;
• they soon turn into fluid-filled bubbles (vesicles);
• at the final stage of the disease, the blisters harden and form dried crusts.

The disease has an undulating character. Each wave is accompanied by the appearance of a new rash. Therefore, the human body simultaneously contains elements of different stages of development.

Elements of a chickenpox rash of different stages of development may be present on the skin at the same time

First, the rash appears on the face and scalp, and then spreads throughout the body. They can be not only outside, but also inside - on the mucous membranes of the mouth, trachea, intestines. For this reason, chickenpox can cause coughing and sore throat. Watery elements of a rash on the genitals is one of the possible signs of chickenpox, but they do not occur in isolation, but along with the lesion of the rest of the skin.

A rash with chickenpox appears not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals

A rash on the palms and feet with chickenpox does not occur.

If the spots on the skin are combed, then scars will remain in their place later. Eventually, the blisters dry out and form crusts before healing. Chickenpox usually clears up within 5-7 days.

Diagnosis of the disease

At the first suspicion of chickenpox, an adult should contact a therapist or infectious disease specialist. Clinical diagnosis consists in the physician's visual assessment of the elements of the rash and accompanying symptoms. Chickenpox patches are usually highly distinguishable, although they can sometimes be confused with other conditions such as insect bites or scabies (a contagious skin condition that causes severe itching).

It is important for the patient to inform the doctor about the following facts, if they occur:

• the rash spreads to the mucous membrane of one or both eyes (effect on visual function);
• the area of \u200b\u200bthe rash turns red and the skin becomes hot, which indicates a possible secondary bacterial infection;
• the rash is accompanied by severe intoxication, cough, impaired coordination, temperature over 39 ° C (severe course);
• family members who have not had chickenpox or children under 6 months of age are in the home (potential hazard).

Clinical diagnosis of chickenpox is carried out by a doctor by visual assessment of the rash and questioning the patient about the symptoms

An immediate visit to a doctor after contact of a healthy person with a sick person is necessary:

• during pregnancy or if there is a newborn in the house;
• with a weakened immune system.

Chickenpox in these cases can cause serious complications if ignored.

If there are doubts about the body's resistance to the virus, the doctor will send for an enzyme immunoassay, which will show the presence of IgG antibodies to chickenpox. The analysis is carried out subject to the following rules:

• blood for research is given on an empty stomach;
• on the eve exclude alcohol, limit fatty foods, physical activity;
• the test is carried out before the start of any drug treatment or after its completion in 7-10 days, if it is impossible to cancel some medicine, then, referring to the study, the doctor makes the appropriate notes.

A positive test will indicate the presence of strong immunity to the Varicella-Zoster virus, therefore, infection is extremely unlikely.

A blood test for IgM antibodies to the virus (appear 3 days after the onset of the rash and indicate the acute phase of the course) is very rarely required. Virological examination of the contents of the vesicles of the rash is justified in especially severe cases, since it takes time.

Chickenpox must be differentiated from other diseases that are accompanied by a rash in a patient with a high fever.

Table: differential diagnosis of chickenpox

Common diseases (similar to chickenpox)	Characteristics
Coxsackie viruses type A	Enteroviruses that multiply in the digestive tract. The rash occurs a few days after the onset of the illness (high fever and painful sore throat). Children are more likely to be infected with viruses, but adults also get sick. The following symptoms are characteristic: fever; painful blisters in the mouth (herpangina) painful and itchy vesicles on the palms and soles of the feet blisters in the throat, around the tonsils.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome	Acute bullous lesions of the mucous membranes and skin of a toxic-allergic nature. It is characterized by ulcers and erosion of the mouth and lips, as well as the genitals and anus. Injuries to the mouth are extremely painful and reduce the patient's ability to eat and drink. Conjunctivitis occurs in 30%. The rash can also affect the face, torso, arms, legs, and soles, but is usually absent on the scalp. Other symptoms include: fever; sore throat; general weakness; aching muscles and joints.
Measles	Acute infectious viral disease. Harbingers and symptoms of the disease: heat; cough; runny nose; conjunctivitis; photophobia; measles rash on the mucous membrane of the mouth, face, neck (4–5 days); a widespread rash all over the body (5-6 days).
Syphilis	Sexually transmitted systemic infectious disease. Common symptoms: malaise and weakness; headache; fever. Later symptoms: non-itchy bilateral symmetrical rash on the skin and mucous membranes (may be mild); chronic regional enlargement of lymph nodes; wide condylomas (warty growths of the skin); spotty alopecia (uneven baldness).
Rubella	Epidemic viral disease. It manifests itself initially as a rash on the face, which then spreads to the trunk and limbs, and later disappears within three days without spots and peeling. Forchheimer's sign occurs in 20% of cases and is characterized by small red papules on the surface of the soft palate. Other symptoms: subfebrile temperature; joint pain; headache; conjunctivitis.
Molluscum contagiosum	Smallpox virus infection. Affects skin and mucous membranes. Characterized by the appearance of nodules with a diameter of 1–5 mm flesh-colored - domed with a mother-of-pearl top, resembling pearls in appearance. They are usually not painful, but they may itch or irritate. In about 10% of cases, eczema develops around the lesions.
Mononucleosis	Herpesvirus infection. Common symptoms: subfebrile temperature; sore throat; white spots on the tonsils and back of the throat; muscle weakness and extreme fatigue; enlarged lymph nodes, their sensitivity; skin rash on the face, hands, sometimes all over the body; pinpoint hemorrhages on the skin.

Chickenpox treatment

Most cases of chickenpox require minimal treatment, usually taking action to relieve symptoms.The patient is on home mode until he feels better and the rash disappears. This will help not only to protect others from infection, but also to avoid possible complications yourself. Recovery takes about 7-10 days.

To avoid infection or the consequences in the form of scars, you need to control the desire to comb the itchy areas. For example, in hot weather, sweat irritates already sore skin and makes it itch more. To calm the epidermis, you can occasionally blot especially vulnerable areas with a soft cloth soaked in cool water.

The chickenpox rash lasts about 10 days

For the first few days, it is helpful to take a cool or warm bath every 3-4 hours. Oat extract bath products available in supermarkets and pharmacies can help relieve itching. You should not be afraid of water treatments, they do not contribute to the spread of the rash. After the bath, gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel. It is highly undesirable to make efforts or rub.

Then you can lubricate the itchy areas on the body with a special Calamine lotion - based on calamine and zinc oxide - it dries, disinfects and relieves irritation from the skin. However, it is not recommended to apply it on the face, especially near the eyes.

Calamine is a colorless lotion that soothes the itching of chickenpox and helps dry the blisters

Drug therapy

Prescription antivirals based on acyclovir (Valacyclovir, Pharmciclovir) are effective in shortening the duration of symptoms when taken within 24 hours of the onset of the rash. But they are not prescribed to everyone, but, as a rule, to people who are at risk of complications:

• pregnant women;
• smokers;
• HIV-infected;
• people undergoing chemotherapy or taking high doses of steroid drugs.

In addition, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and antipyretics (Paracetamol, Tylenol) and anti-allergic antihistamines (Suprastin, Benadryl) to relieve itching and swelling. Taking ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is not recommended, as they can cause adverse skin reactions during a chickenpox infection.

Treatment of a chickenpox rash with brilliant green (potassium permanganate, alcohol tinctures) does not have a therapeutic effect, but is of a disinfecting nature. In other words, this is the prevention of the so-called secondary infection, which actually occurs extremely rarely, as a rule, in people with impaired immune system functioning.

In the treatment of viral fever - both in children and adults - it is strictly forbidden to take any drug containing acetylsalicylic acid. This threatens a serious complication called Reye's syndrome - acute liver failure and encephalopathy.

The sores that can form in the mouth with chickenpox often cause pain and itching due to the dense arrangement of sensitive nerve endings here. In these cases, the frequent use of local anesthetics (Kalgel, Kamistad-gel, Rotokan), as well as antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt, Furacilin, Potassium permanganate) is indicated.

When complications develop (secondary skin infection or bacterial pneumonia), treatment is carried out with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. It should be understood that antibacterial drugs are powerless against the virus itself.

Photo gallery: medicines prescribed for chickenpox

Valacyclovir is an antiviral agent that can significantly alleviate the course of infection
Suprastin is an antihistamine that helps to reduce the intensity of itching.At elevated body temperature during chickenpox, it is recommended to take Paracetamol Calgel based on lidocaine - a local anesthetic with an antiseptic effect that helps with chickenpox rash in the mouth
Miramistin can treat all elements of a chickenpox rash in order to avoid the attachment of a secondary infection

Nutrition for chickenpox

During illness, it is recommended to drink as much liquid as possible to help the body get rid of the toxins produced by the virus faster. It will also prevent high temperature dehydration. It is better to prefer plain water to sugary drinks. Sugar during this illness increases itching and inflammation, scientists have found.

Food should be cool and soft, as a rash in the mouth can make it difficult to chew.

In an acute period, it is advisable to avoid irritants:

• chemical (salty, spicy, sour food);
• physical (any hot dishes, hard nuts).

Eating healthy, nutrient-rich foods has a beneficial effect on the immune system and increases the ability to effectively fight the virus. Healthy foods and drinks:

• steamed and stewed vegetables;
• light soups, broths;
• fruit cocktails;
• applesauce (non-acidic);
• mashed potatoes;
• oatmeal;
• yogurt;
• kefir.

Drinking alcohol is highly undesirable during illness, as it will have at least two negative consequences:

• weakening of the body and deprivation of its nutrients;
• dehydration of the body and susceptibility to complications.

The danger of drinking alcohol with chickenpox is also due to the inadmissibility of its combination with pain relievers and antiviral drugs, the effect of which can change under the influence of alcoholic beverages.

Traditional methods

Home remedies for chickenpox can help relieve inflammation and reduce the itching sensation caused by rashes:

• Baking soda is widely available and inexpensive as antipruritic and anti-inflammatory. Apply it as follows:
  1. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a small amount of warm water (250 ml) and stir.
  2. Moisten a soft cloth with the resulting solution.
  3. Apply a compress to the itchy area.
  4. Leave to dry.
• An effective method for reducing itching and swelling of the skin is using natural apple cider vinegar. You can add about 250 ml of pure product to the bath or use about 2-3 tablespoons per glass of water for compresses. To do this, a soft tissue is moistened in a vinegar solution and applied to the skin. The product is not used on open wounds or injuries.
• A solution of 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water is an excellent gargle used to relieve a rash in the mouth.
• Natural honey is another great remedy for reducing inflammation, reducing the risk of scarring, and speeding up healing. The product must be fresh and of high quality. It should be applied to the inflamed area of \u200b\u200bthe skin with a thin layer, after warming up a little, and left to absorb for at least 15 minutes.

Photo gallery: folk remedies for chickenpox

Compresses made from a baking soda solution relieve itching and inflammation Natural honey applied to the skin reduces the risk of scarring after chickenpox A bath with the addition of apple cider vinegar will relieve swelling Salt is used to rinse with chickenpox rash in the mouth

Prognosis and complications of chickenpox in adults

Most people with chickenpox remain immune to the virus for life. But the virus itself remains in neurons for a very long time. Years later, it is able to reactivate in the form of shingles, a painful blistering rash on the waist accompanied by tingling, numbness, and burning.

Shingles usually affects only one side of the torso and heals naturally within a few weeks. However, a complication known as postherpetic neuralgia can cause pain to persist for a long time even after the blisters have disappeared.

There is a shingles vaccine (Zostavax) recommended for adults 60 years of age and older who have had chickenpox.

Shingles - a disease caused by reactivation of Varicella-Zoster

Serious complications of chickenpox in adults can be caused by the spread of the virus to other organs or the superimposition of a bacterial infection. These potentially include:

• bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissue, bones, joints, or bloodstream (sepsis);
• pneumonia;
• inflammation of the brain (encephalitis);
• toxic shock syndrome.

Prevention of the disease

Chickenpox vaccination is the best way to prevent illness. It provides complete protection against the virus for almost 98 percent of people, and also significantly reduces the severity of chickenpox if a person does get sick. The procedure consists of two doses of the vaccine given four to eight weeks apart. Vaccination is done once in a lifetime, it is believed that stable immunity after vaccination lasts up to 30 years.

• health workers;
• school teachers;
• kindergarten teachers;
• workers in children's camps;
• military personnel;
• adults living with small children;
• women of childbearing age.

Vaccination against chickenpox is not given:

• pregnant women;
• people with weakened immunity;
• people who are allergic to gelatin or the antibiotic Neomycin, which are part of the vaccine.

The need for a vaccine should first be discussed with a physician. This is especially true for women planning pregnancy in the near future.

Chickenpox in adults is a disease caused by the herpes virus type III. It is diagnosed in about 10% of cases and is accompanied by a severe course with a high risk of complications. It is important to know how pathology manifests itself in adulthood in order to take the right measures for its therapy.

In the article, we will consider how chickenpox is transmitted, what is the incubation period, the first signs and symptoms in adults, as well as treatment and recommendations for a quick recovery of the body.

Features of the course of chickenpox in adults

Adults rarely get chickenpox, as most of them have had the disease in childhood. But if a person escaped infection in childhood and became infected as an adult, then the disease can be very difficult and give various complications.

The main way of introduction of chickenpox is airborne. The virus is very volatile, and even a single indirect contact with the patient during the rash is enough for infection.

The infection manifests itself in patients in the following cases:

1. A person in childhood did not suffer from chickenpox.
2. For a number of reasons, the patient's body does not produce antibodies to the virus.
3. Contained in the dorsal ganglia in a latent state, Varicella Zoster was activated due to the suppression of the patient's immune system.

Chickenpox in adults has its own characteristics:

• adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease;
• intoxication is more pronounced than in children;
• the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above;
• the rash appears only on the 2-3 day of illness;
• the rash is numerous and can cover the entire surface of the face and trunk;
• in half of adult patients, the elements of the rash suppurate, pustules form;
• at the site of deep inflammation, scars remain - pockmarks;
• complications occur in 20-30% of patients.

Causes

The cause of the incidence of chickenpox is infection with the Varicella Zoster virus (HSV-3, or herpes simplex virus type 3). In the incubation period, which lasts 2 weeks, the symptoms of chickenpox in an adult may not be observed.

The virus is capable of causing not only chickenpox, but also another disease with an extremely unpleasant course - shingles (more). This can happen when there is a long-term asymptomatic carriage of Varicella Zoster.

The only possible way of transmission of the chickenpox virus among the adult category of people, however, as among children, is by airborne droplets, which becomes possible when coughing, talking and sneezing.

Despite the fact that this virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted by airborne droplets, it does not have a high survival rate outside the human body. After entering the body, it becomes active, and a person becomes infectious a couple of days before the onset of obvious symptoms of the disease - an increase in temperature, the appearance of a rash and itching.

The following factors contribute to a more rapid spread of the disease:

• high crowding of people in the room;
• lack of preventive ventilation and regular wet cleaning;
• non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene (washing hands with soap after visiting public places).

What is the incubation period?

The incubation period of chickenpox in adults lasts 1.5 - 3 weeks from the moment of infection. During this time, the pathogen is introduced through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract into the blood and lymph, from where it spreads throughout the body, multiplying rapidly.

Chickenpox is most often affected by those whose immunity is weakened, for example, after a recent serious illness, treatment that suppresses immunity (for example, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy of malignant tumors).

Chickenpox immunity develops after an infection. Post-infectious immunity is believed to provide lifelong protection against infection. However, in some people, repeated cases of chickenpox are recorded, which is associated with a weakened immune defense.

First signs

What are the symptoms and first signs of chickenpox in adults? Chickenpox begins as, with general intoxication:

• Low temperature. When the above symptoms appear, a slight increase in temperature is also observed. This is the initial stage of the body's resistance to the virus.
• Movement coordination disorder. Occurs due to headache, fever, malaise.
• General weakness of the body.
• Nausea is possible.

The course of the disease is accompanied by a lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, a constant febrile state - the peak of which, characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, occurs on the first day of infection.

Chickenpox in adults is quite difficult and manifests itself in a number of severe symptoms. To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary, when the first signs of pathology appear, to consult a specialist and begin complex therapy.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults, photo

Like any infectious pathology, chickenpox in adults is characterized by the staged development of pathomorphological and clinical manifestations. So, the average duration of the incubation period of the virus is 14 days.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults:

• In most cases, the disease begins abruptly and acutely. Although people experience some discomfort a few days before.
• Breaking pains in joints and muscles.
• The temperature rises and lasts up to 40C, it is accompanied by chills, increased weakness.
• The patient swollen lymph nodes - behind the ear, inguinal, submandibular and axillary, they become painful on palpation.
• Undulating course of rasheswhich lasts about 10 days.
• Initially, the skin forms small red spots, which after a few hours turn into watery blisters (papules), turning into vesicles (moist sores). This entire process is accompanied by severe itching in addition to chills and heat. Drying crusts quickly form in place of the vesicles.
• Profuse skin rash, mucous membranes cause unbearable itching. A rash can appear in the upper respiratory tract, in the genital area. If an infection gets into a combed wound, the situation becomes complicated, scars or scars may remain.
• Moreover, during the first week, a new portion of the rash and temperature may appear several times.

In adults, chickenpox is more complex, for example, intoxication is stronger, fever takes longer, and a high probability of suppuration is high.

When it begins to pour, you need to carefully monitor the number of vesicles, constantly lubricating them with ointment or scratching gel. A spot appears first, and then a bubble with an aqueous liquid. The top of the pimple is depressed in the center. You cannot rip them off - there is a high probability of aggravating complications.

How chickenpox looks like, a photo in adult patients can reflect: a maculopapular rash with this disease looks very characteristic. It is important to notice the differences in the photo before and after the illness in order to understand how the rash goes away:

Stages	Description
Incubation period	For chickenpox in an adult, this is the period of time from the moment the virus enters the body until the first signs of the disease appear - it is quite long and lasts up to 3 weeks. At the end of this period, communication and stay in the same room with an infected person becomes dangerous for people who have not previously had chickenpox.
Prodromal period	The release of the virus into the blood. Symptoms: fever, deterioration in general condition, weakness, loss of appetite.
Rash period	The active phase of the disease, when the virus is localized in the epidermis. Characterized by the appearance of a rash and itching, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature
Crusting period	The elements of the rash dry up. The body actively produces anti-wind antibodies, which ensure the binding of the virus and recovery.

Itching with chickenpox in adults, as a rule, is quite intense, so patients scratch the elements of the rash, which provokes the development of intradermal atrophic scars.

How many days does "adult" chickenpox last?

Towards the end of 2 weeks the blisters will "sit down", dry up and begin to crumble, leaving in their place circles of pale pink skin, sensitive to temperature changes. If chickenpox proceeds with complications, then the treatment period can last 1.5-2 months. Basically, a severe form with subsequent complications is observed in patients with weakened immunity.

Is re-infection possible?

Recurrent chickenpox in adults is possible, especially in immunocompromised people. As a rule, the second disease is milder.

Complications

Chickenpox in adults is dangerous to health both in itself and in the appearance of serious complications. The resulting scars at the site of the vesicles are a noticeable cosmetic defect in the skin. Chickenpox can cause complications in people at risk. This category includes:

• pregnant women,
• smoking people,
• patients with weak immunity,
• suffering from chronic lung diseases, except for asthmatics.

The older a person is, the more difficult chickenpox can be. Chickenpox in adults is especially dangerous for pregnant women, since chickenpox transferred during the first months of pregnancy can lead to severe pathology or fetal death, and in the last trimester of pregnancy it can contribute to premature birth or the development of congenital chickenpox in a child.

List of possible complications:

• arthritis;
• encephalitis;
• heart disease;
• impaired renal function;
• hepatitis;
• abscess;
• severe suppuration;
• damage to the lymphatic system;
• skin diseases;

In order to avoid consequences from the skin, it is important to ensure thorough personal hygiene, to exclude scratching and ingestion of pyogenic microorganisms into nodules.

Diagnostics

Which doctor will help? If you have or suspect the development of this disease, you should immediately contact such specialists as an infectious disease specialist and therapist.

In the presence of characteristic rashes, the diagnosis of chickenpox in an adult is not difficult. In addition to a visual examination by a doctor, the patient additionally donates blood for antibodies to Varicella Zoster. The ratio of indicators allows you to determine the stage of pathology.

An adult infected with chickenpox is already infected at the end of the incubation period

How is chickenpox treated in adults?

Treatment of chickenpox in adults should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, self-medication is strictly prohibited, since different drugs can be prescribed for different forms of the disease.

Important rules during treatment:

• observe bed rest;
• to accelerate the elimination of toxins, increase the amount of fluid consumed. It is best to drink berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes, green and herbal teas with lemon and honey.
• in severe cases, do not refuse hospitalization;
• in the acute period, the rash should not be wetted. When the condition is relieved, you can take a warm shower, but at the same time do not steam or rub the skin so as not to tear off the formed dry crusts.
• it is very important to comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements during illness - constantly change bed linen, clothes, wash hands, process nails in order to prevent recurrence of rashes.
• the mouth should be rinsed thoroughly after each meal.
• do not contact healthy people during an infectious period of illness.

Preparations for chickenpox

The most important aspect of treatment is pathogenetic and etiotropic therapy. For these purposes, apply:

• antiviral agents (acyclovir according to the scheme in tablets and topical application);
• the use of immunomodulators - agents that stimulate the production of endogenous interferons (proteins that have an antiviral effect);
• Antihistamines. Needed to eliminate the symptoms of itching and other manifestations of hypersensitivity. Suprastin and other drugs are prescribed.
• Antipyretic drugs. Ibuprofen, Panadol.
• Antibiotics for chickenpox are prescribed if doctors diagnose a secondary infection, such as infection of pustules.

External treatments

For external treatment of rashes use:

• Fukortsin.
• Furacilin.
• Boric acid.
• Psylo balm.
• Lotion Calamine.
• Brilliant green.
• Acyclovir ointment.
• Gel Fenistil.
• Liniment synthomycin.

It is very important when treating a rash not to use the same cotton swab for different types of blisters. Otherwise, there is a high probability of infecting unaffected skin areas.

Accordingly, the following question arises, "On what day can you stop treating wounds and how long to smear them?" Rashes should be treated as they appear, and until such time as new ones stop forming. For this period of time, it is necessary to observe bed rest, treat the surface of the hands with an antiseptic, and monitor the cleanliness of bed and underwear.

In cases where all of the above treatment did not bring relief and antibiotics do not bring relief, and the patient begins to have convulsions, vomiting and severe headache (which indicates brain damage), urgent hospitalization is required.

Diet

A chickenpox diet helps to reduce inflammation on the skin. When rashes appear in the oral cavity, the diet has a gentle effect, protecting the mucous membrane from mechanical and chemical irritation

So, what can an adult eat with chickenpox? In the diet of an adult with chickenpox, all dishes should be boiled, stewed or steamed. They should not be salty, too sweet, sour, spicy.

The diet should mainly consist of vegetables, fruits, protein foods and dairy products. Drinking alcoholic beverages and abusing carbohydrate foods with chickenpox is prohibited.

Sample menu for chickenpox:

1. Breakfast: buckwheat porridge or oatmeal in milk without sugar, boiled egg.
2. Second breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream without sugar, a glass of fermented baked milk or kefir.
3. Lunch: vegetable puree soup or low-fat, non-concentrated meat broth, boiled fish with vegetables or steamed cutlets.
4. Afternoon snack: a glass of freshly squeezed vegetable juice two-thirds diluted with water.
5. Dinner: cottage cheese casserole or kefir, grated green apple, herbal tea with crackers, baked eggplant or zucchini.

• All dishes are recommended to be boiled or steamed, not fried;
• Vegetables can be eaten both raw and after heat treatment;
• With a severe form of the disease, the use of mashed soups, cereals, etc. is allowed, i.e. any liquid meals.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies that will speed up recovery can only be used as an additional therapy to the main treatment. It is not enough to use only the recipes below in the fight against chickenpox, and therefore it will not be possible to replace the therapy prescribed by the doctor.

1. Blend of olive oil and bergamot essential oil... With this composition, you can lubricate rashes: this relieves inflammation and soothes itching.
2. If rashes appear even on the oral mucosa, rinsing with a decoction of sage, chamomile, calendula and other medicinal herbs with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are recommended.
3. For general improvement, it is necessary to make an infusion of parsley leaves and stalks. Pour a tablespoon of herbal collection with boiling water, let stand for a quarter of an hour, drain and cool. Take 50 grams 4 times a day.

Thus, the use of medicines and herbs will lead to an easier transfer of an acute condition and a faster recovery. Herbs will relieve inflammation, and medications will normalize the general condition.

Chickenpox vaccine for an adult

The disease transferred in childhood usually gives persistent lifelong immunity. But for people who did not get sick in childhood, and for those who are at risk of developing severe forms of the disease, there is the possibility of vaccination.

Vaccination is indicated for patients at risk:

• not previously sick and not vaccinated;
• suffering;
• receiving treatment with immunosuppressants, including corticosteroids;
• awaiting transplant surgery;
• suffering from severe chronic diseases.

Vaccinations may be urgent. It is carried out in the first three days after contact with a sick person.

In conclusion, we will repeat the main theses:

• Whether or not to be vaccinated against chickenpox is up to everyone individually.
• It is advisable to consult a doctor about the presence of indications and contraindications.
• Those at risk should be vaccinated first.
• Vaccination protects not only from chickenpox, but also from - the long-term consequences of the transferred disease.
• With the help of vaccines, you can also carry out emergency prophylaxis after contact with a person with chickenpox.
• It is advisable to get this vaccine when planning a pregnancy.

Prevention

Prevention of chickenpox in adults is to exclude contact with patients. When an infection appears in the family, the infected should:

• isolate in a separate room,
• carry out regular airing and wet cleaning,
• use a medical mask when communicating,
• wash your hands more often.

However, the high susceptibility to the virus makes preventive measures ineffective.

The main task in the treatment of chickenpox in adults is not only to eliminate the symptoms and stop the development of the virus, but also to prevent possible complications.

Chickenpox in adults is quite rare, diagnosed in no more than 10-12 percent of the adult population. Let us consider in more detail the course of chickenpox, the incubation period and infectiousness in adults.

The causative agent of the infection is the herpes virus Varicella Zoster (Varicella Zoster). The virus is highly infectious and affects mainly adults who have not had chickenpox in childhood.

Features of the disease in adults

Important: The main route of infection with chickenpox is airborne. The infection is quite volatile, and even a slight contact with the patient is enough for infection.

The life span of Varicella Zoster is very low, the pathogen dies in a short time in the fresh air and under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. For this reason, it is much easier to get chickenpox indoors than outdoors. The largest foci of infection are recorded in preschool and school institutions, where a large number of healthy children become infected within a few days.

In childhood, having had chickenpox, a person acquires immunity to infection, and lifelong. But in some cases, the disease can manifest itself again, since the virus itself remains in the body forever, simply becoming inactive. The main reason for re-infection with chickenpox is a significant weakening of the immune system.

Chickenpox in adults: incubation period and infectiousness

A person carries a danger to others a few days before a rash appears, which appears no earlier than 10-20 days after the virus enters the body. So an adult with chickenpox is contagious already at the end of the incubation period. Approximately 80% of infectious diseases have a latent (asymptomatic) period.

The incubation period of chickenpox in an adult patient has no symptoms, does not require treatment, and most often includes three stages:

1. The beginning of the incubation period. This stage includes the time when a healthy person had contact with a patient in whom the virus proceeded in an acute form (meaning the presence of rashes on the patient's body). 3 days are added to the date of direct contact - the time it takes for the infection to adapt.
2. Incubation period. Right now, the causative agent of the virus is actively multiplying in the human body. Initially, the virus infects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, after which it adapts, affecting other cells.
3. End of the incubation period. The end of the period indicates that the infection reaches its maximum, which allows it to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. At this period, the herpes virus infects skin cells, due to which the main symptom of the disease is manifested - a rash. An increase in body temperature indicates an active resistance to infection by immunity.

As a rule, the duration of the incubation period of chickenpox in adults is from 7 to 25 days, the duration depends on various reasons. Of great importance is the amount of the virus that has entered the body, as well as the site of infection. Note that indoors the amount of the virus is much higher than outdoors.

According to medical research, the incubation period of chickenpox in adults does not always take place in three stages. Quite often, the disease begins to manifest itself already in the first or second.

The insidiousness of the disease lies in the possibility of its latent course. It so happens that chickenpox in an adult patient is asymptomatic, while there are minor rashes that can even be mistaken for an ordinary allergic reaction.

In adults, the incubation period of chickenpox is considered over in case of any symptoms: fever, rash, general deterioration.

Chickenpox in adults: signs of the disease

As the infection develops and the body is damaged by the virus, the patient begins to complain of a deterioration in well-being, poor sleep, and unnaturally rapid fatigue. Literally a day before the appearance of the rash, the patient's condition can deteriorate sharply: the body temperature rises (often up to 40 degrees), sweating increases, and chills appear.

As you already know, the first signs of infection are characteristic rashes on the skin, accompanied by itching. The herpes virus attacks epithelial cells and mucous membranes, resulting in edema, as well as a red-pink rash. These symptoms mean that the incubation period is over and chickenpox in adults requires urgent treatment.

The standard symptoms of chickenpox include the following symptoms:

• increased body temperature (38-40 degrees);
• headache turning into migraine;
• general weakness, malaise;
• pain syndrome localized in muscle tissues;
• feeling of nausea, vomiting;
• convulsions, especially at night.

During the development of the infection, the rash also undergoes certain changes:

• in 99 percent of cases, the chicken rash in adults spreads to the mucous membranes, as well as the genitals;
• new rashes appear on the body every 7-10 days;
• at the peak of the maximum number of rashes, body temperature can reach 40 degrees;
• a rash in an adult patient is most often susceptible to the development of a purulent process, because of this, the elements may not heal for a long period. In more severe cases, tissue necrosis may develop.

Treatment methods for chickenpox in adults

If chickenpox in an adult patient proceeds in an uncomplicated form, then antiviral drugs are prescribed, for example, Acyclovir. Further, symptomatic treatment is carried out. In some cases, therapy of the disease can be carried out in a hospital setting.

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The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. A specialist consultation is required!

Chicken pox ( chickenpox) Is an infectious disease caused by a type of herpes virus. Chickenpox is considered to be childhood diseasebecause most people tolerate it in preschool and school age. However, if the infection did not occur in childhood, then you can get chickenpox at any age.

Chickenpox outbreaks among adults often occur in closed groups, in the army among recruits, in boarding schools for people with disabilities. Also at risk are parents of preschoolers who do not have immunity. The incidence is independent of gender and race.

Chickenpox in adults has its own characteristics:

• adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease;
• intoxication is more pronounced than in children;
• the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above;
• the rash appears only on the 2-3 day of illness;
• the rash is numerous and can cover the entire surface of the face and trunk;
• in half of adult patients, the elements of the rash suppurate, pustules form;
• at the site of deep inflammation, scars remain - pockmarks;
• complications occur in 20-30% of patients.

Chickenpox is especially difficult for patients with weakened immunity and people over 50 years old.

Causes of chickenpox in adults

The causative agent of chickenpox - human herpes virus type 3, or Varicella Zoster. A viral particle is a DNA molecule surrounded by a protective membrane of lipids.

The virus can exist exclusively in the human body. In the environment, it dies within 15 minutes. This is facilitated by drying, heating, freezing. The causative agent of chickenpox is not transmitted through things and third parties. Animals do not get chickenpox and cannot serve as carriers of infection.

The main characteristics of the chickenpox virus that can infect a large number of people are volatility and susceptibility. Viral particles with air currents scatter and penetrate into neighboring rooms, apartments and from one floor to another. And the high susceptibility of people to the chickenpox virus means that almost all people who have not had a previous illness become infected upon contact with a patient. In a family where one person falls ill, the risk of illness for the rest of the household is 80-90%. Moreover, those who became infected later, the disease is more severe and with a large number of rashes.

Source of infection and the main reservoir of infection is a person with chickenpox. There is a risk of infection from someone with shingles.

Infection routes - airborne and transplacental, when the virus is transmitted from the mother to the fetus through the placenta.

Incubation period - 10-21 days, more often 14-17. During this time, the virus multiplies on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and spreads through the lymphatic system.

Chickenpox immunity produced after an infection. Post-infectious immunity is believed to provide lifelong protection against infection. However, in some people, repeated cases of chickenpox are recorded, which is associated with a weakened immune defense.

What happens in the patient's body?

1. The virus multiplies on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.
2. Its number is rapidly increasing. Through the palatine tonsils, the virus enters the lymphatic system, inhibiting its work and reducing the activity of T-lymphocytes.
3. The virus enters the bloodstream at the end of the incubation period. Viral particles and their metabolic products present in the blood cause fever, weakness and other signs of intoxication.
4. The virus enters the nerve ganglia - the nuclei of the spinal nerves, causing lysis (destruction) of nerve cells. In the future, the virus persists for life in the nerve ganglia. When the immune system is weakened, it is activated and spreads along the nerve, provoking the development of shingles.
5. The virus settles in the cells of the epidermis. It causes the appearance of vacuoles - intracellular elements that resemble bubbles. The vacuoles of neighboring cells merge with each other, forming cavities, which are the basis of papules. These papules fill with fluid, which contains a large number of viral particles and protein molecules. The contents of the papules are a good breeding ground for bacteria, so the elements of the rash can fester. In this case, a pustule (a bubble with purulent contents) forms at the site of the papule.
6. The bubble bursts, its contents are poured onto the skin. A crust forms in place of the bubble, under which the epidermis heals.
7. Starting from the first days of the disease, the immune system recognizes the pathogen and begins to produce immunoglobulins, which bind toxins and stimulate phagocytosis (absorption) of viral particles. In the future, anti-veterinary antibodies remain in the blood of a sick person for life. They provide protection against re-getting chickenpox.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults

The symptoms of chickenpox in adults are deterioration of the general condition, fever and maculopapular rash, accompanied by itching. The symptoms of the disease in adults are much brighter, and the disease is more severe than in children.

Several periods are distinguished in the development of the disease:

• Incubation period - the virus multiplies in the cells of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. There are no symptoms of the disease.
• Prodromal period - the release of the virus into the blood. Symptoms: fever, deterioration in general condition, weakness, loss of appetite.
• Rash period - the active phase of the disease, when the virus is localized in the epidermis. It is characterized by the appearance of a rash and itching, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature.
• Crusting period - the elements of the rash dry up. The body actively produces anti-wind antibodies, which ensure the binding of the virus and recovery.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults:

Symptom	Development mechanism	Manifestations
General intoxication	The toxins generated during the vital activity of the virus poison the nervous system.	Weakness, drowsiness, loss of strength. Headache, aches in the lumbar spine and large joints. Nausea, repeated vomiting. The first signs of chickenpox are like the flu. In adults, intoxication is severe.
Temperature rise	In the process of the death of viral particles, pyrogens are formed - substances that provoke an increase in temperature. A large amount of pyrogens enters the bloodstream during massive rashes.	Wave fever - during the period of illness, there are 2-3 rises in temperature, which coincide with massive dripping. The temperature rises to 38-40 degrees. The temperature for chickenpox in adults lasts 3-9 days, depending on the severity of the disease. Prolonged fever over 10 days indicates the development of complications.
Rash	Chickenpox is characterized by a maculopapular rash. Its appearance is associated with viral damage to the cells of the epidermis. The elements of the rash go through several stages in their development: spots, papules (nodules) and vesicles (vesicles). All of them can be present on one area of \u200b\u200bthe skin.	In adult patients, a chickenpox rash appears 2-3 days after the temperature rises. Spots. On the skin of the upper half of the body, rounded red spots appear, ranging in size from 3 mm to 1 cm. Papules (infiltrates) - nodules without a cavity, located in the center of the spots. They form within 2-3 hours. Vesicles - bubbles filled with transparent content. They have a hemispherical shape, located on a hyperemic (red) base. Formed in place of red spots, within 12-20 hours. Crusts are formed at the site of burst vesicles. On average, it takes 5-7 days from the moment the spot appears until the crust forms. Sprinkling occurs chaotically on any part of the body with an interval of 1-2 days. Their number varies from single in mild forms, to 2000 in severe disease. New rashes continue for 4-5 days.
Itchy skin	Changes in epithelial cells cause irritation of the sensitive nerve endings that are in the skin. From them, a nerve impulse enters the central nervous system and is perceived by the brain as itching.	Itching appears simultaneously with spots on the skin. He worries patients up to the formation of crusts. Itching is worse during night hours when there are fewer distractions.
Rash on the oral mucosa	In the cells of the mucous membranes, the same processes occur as in the skin.	The rash appears at the same time as the skin rash. Red spots of 3-5 mm are formed on the mucous membrane of the gums, palatine arches and the soft palate. Over time, nodules form from the spot, and then bubbles. After a few hours, ulcers (aphthae) appear in their place, covered with a white-yellow bloom. The sores are very sore. Similar rashes appear on the vaginal mucosa in women. They cause severe itching and discomfort.

Classification of chickenpox in adults. Forms and stages

There are several classifications of chickenpox

1. By the severity of the course

• Mild form in 7-10% of patients. The temperature rises to 38 degrees. The general condition is satisfactory. The number of rashes is moderate.
• Moderate form in 80%. Temperature 38-39 degrees. Severe intoxication - weakness, nausea, vomiting, aching muscles and joints. The rash is profuse, accompanied by severe itching.
• Severe form in 10%. Temperature 39-40 degrees. The general condition is severe, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, headache. The rash can cover the entire surface of the skin. Various complications develop. In severe form, there are several options for the course:
  • Hemorrhagic form. It is rare in patients with weakened immunity, who previously had hemorrhagic diseases - lesions of blood vessels: hemorrhagic diathesis, vasculitis, thrombocytopathy, blood clotting disorders. It is accompanied by the development of hemorrhagic rash (small hemorrhages), hematomas, bruises, bleeding gums, intestinal bleeding.
  • Bullous form. Simultaneously with the typical vesicles, large flabby blisters - bullae appear on the skin. They are filled with unclear contents and have a wrinkled surface. At the site of their resolution, long-term non-healing wounds remain.
  • Gangrenous form. It is extremely rare in severely malnourished patients, with poor hygiene and poor care. It develops when papules are infected and a secondary infection is attached. A black border is formed around the papules, consisting of necrotic dead tissue. The disease is accompanied by intense fever and intoxication.

2. By the type of disease course

• The typical form is manifested by intoxication, fever, and a characteristic rash.
• The atypical form has several flow options.
  • Rudimentary form - a rise in temperature up to 37.5, single elements of the rash, which may look like spots or nodules. The disease often goes unnoticed.
  • The atypical forms include gangrenous, bullous and hemorrhagic forms described above.
• The generalized (visceral) form is associated with massive damage to internal organs. It occurs in people with weakened immune systems when the virus multiplies in the cells of internal organs. Manifested by pain in the abdomen and lower back, severe damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system, a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.

Diagnostics

Medical examination. As a rule, the diagnosis of chickenpox does not cause difficulties for a specialist. A doctor may suspect chickenpox in an adult for the following signs:

• A characteristic rash that appears against a background of fever and deterioration in general condition;
• Periodic dripping, which are accompanied by a rise in temperature;
• False rash polymorphism. On a limited area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, various elements of the rash are simultaneously present - spots, nodules and bubbles;
• Localization of the rash on any part of the body, except for the palms and soles;
• Rashes on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals and conjunctiva;
• There was contact with a patient with chickenpox.

After examining the skin and mucous membranes, the doctor listens to the condition of the bronchi and lungs, feels the stomach, determines the size of the liver. The examination allows you to timely identify the presence of complications. In most cases, other studies are unnecessary.

• Bacterial superinfection of the skin caused by streptococci and staphylococci is the most common complication. In place of the vesicles, numerous boils, abscesses and phlegmon are formed. Patients need surgical treatment.
• Chickenpox pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by viral damage to the lung tissue and the formation of bacterial infiltrates. It develops in 20-30% of cases. It is characterized by fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain.
• The defeat of the internal organs. The virus multiplies in the cells of internal organs: spleen, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart. The defeat of several organs at once is characteristic. On the 3-5th day of illness, the patient's condition worsens significantly, there are severe abdominal pains. Mortality up to 15%.
• Lesions of the central nervous system. It manifests itself 21 days after the onset of the disease. It is characterized by damage to the cerebellum, which is manifested by imbalance, which is especially noticeable when changing body position, trembling of the limbs, nystagmus (uncontrolled movements of the eyeballs). Encephalitis of a diffuse nature is also characteristic, the neurological consequences of which persist for a long time. Manifestations - headache, confusion and mental disorders, nausea, vomiting, epileptic seizures.
• Hepatitis. Liver damage is a rare complication of chickenpox. It mainly develops in patients with immunodeficiency. Has a high mortality rate.

Prevention of chickenpox in adults

Prevention of chickenpox in adults has several directions:

• Specific prophylaxis. Chickenpox vaccination is given to categories of the population who are prone to severe chickenpox. In a number of regions of the Russian Federation, it is included in the vaccination calendar. More details about the groups to be vaccinated and the drugs are described below.
• Non-specific prevention of chickenpox is based on the timely isolation of the patient, which is a source of infection for others. He is isolated at home for 9 days after the detection of the disease. Further, a person is considered not contagious. There is no need to disinfect the patient's apartment. Enough daily wet cleaning and airing.
• Emergency prophylaxis of chickenpox is the administration of wind-pox immunoglobulin or live vaccine within 96 hours after contact with the patient (preferably in the first 72 hours).

Chickenpox in adults: symptoms, forms of the disease, complications, treatment, vaccinations - video

Answers to frequently asked questions

Should adults be vaccinated against chickenpox?

There are categories of adults who have not had chickenpox who are recommended to be vaccinated against chickenpox:

• People who are preparing for organ transplants.
• Prone to severe chickenpox - hemorrhagic diseases, decreased immunity, age over 50 years.
• Patients at high risk of the disease. These include:
  • patients with leukemia;
  • receiving immunosuppressive therapy (including glucocorticosteroids);
  • patients with malignant tumors;
  • people with severe chronic pathologies - bronchial asthma, collagenoses, autoimmune diseases, chronic renal failure.
• People who are in close contact with high-risk patients - relatives, family members.
• Medical personnel, especially those working in infectious diseases wards.
• Employees of preschool educational institutions.
• Servicemen.

Vaccination with live vaccines is contraindicated:

• pregnant women;
• cancer patients;
• people suffering from AIDS and primary immunodeficiency conditions;
• receiving immunosuppressive therapy;
• with hypersensitivity to vaccine components and neomycin.

For vaccinations against chickenpox for adults, a specific immunoglobulin and a live vaccine are used.

Active immunization against chickenpox - the introduction of a vaccine based on a live attenuated virus Varicella Zoster. A specially treated pathogen causes a mild asymptomatic form of chickenpox. After this, specific immunoglobulins are produced, which remain in the blood, providing long-term immunity.

• Okavax is a Japanese-made chickenpox vaccine. Injected once subcutaneously into the deltoid muscle. The drug is approved for children from 12 months of age and adults. Suitable for emergency prophylaxis in the first 72 hours after contact with the patient.
• Varilrix is \u200b\u200ba Belgian vaccine. The drug is injected subcutaneously into the deltoid muscle. For adults, the vaccine is administered 2 times: the first dose on the appointed day, and the second after 4-6 weeks. Allowed for adults and children from 9 months of age. Suitable for emergency prophylaxis during the first 96 hours after contact.

Chickenpox passive immunization - the introduction of donor antibodies against the pathogen of chickenpox. They are obtained from the blood plasma of a convalescent (who has had chickenpox). Antibodies (IgG) neutralize the virus that is already present in the body. The drug does not contain the virus itself and does not provide long-term immunity, unlike live vaccines.

• Zostevir is a drug containing immunoglobulin against varicella-zoster virus. Immunoglobulin against Varicella Zoster virus can be used for treatment and emergency prophylaxis after contact with a sick person. It is approved for use from the first day of life, as well as for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

A blood test to detect antibodies to the Varicella-Zoster virus helps to determine the presence of immunity to chickenpox. The result will have to wait 6 days. A positive test result indicates that the person already has immunity against chickenpox and does not need the vaccine.

What are the first signs of chickenpox in adults?

The first signs of chickenpox in adults resemble flu symptoms:

• weakness;
• headache;
• loss of appetite;
• temperature rise;
• nausea and vomiting are possible.

The rash appears on day 2-3 of the fever. The first hours it is represented by red spots. Within a few hours, small elevations are formed in the center - nodules, which then turn into bubbles.

Is it possible to have repeated chickenpox in adults?

Recurrent chickenpox in adults is possible, especially in immunocompromised people. As a rule, the second disease is milder.

Repeated chickenpox occurs in some categories:

• In people with weakened immune systems. This condition can occur with prolonged use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants;
• Have completed chemotherapy courses;
• Those who have suffered severe emotional distress;
• In people with diseases of the digestive system and profound nutritional disorders.

Sometimes, repeated chickenpox in adults is called shingles. This disease is caused by a virus that remains in the spinal nodes after the first chickenpox infection.

What does chickenpox look like in adults, photo?

The first days of chickenpox in adults is no different from the flu. On the 3rd day, patients develop a characteristic rash. It has a number of features that distinguish it from other diseases:

Is chickenpox possible without fever?

In rare cases, chickenpox is possible without fever. This is the so-called erased or abortive form.

Symptoms of the erased form:

• Slight malaise - weakness, decreased appetite;
• Single elements of the rash are a few red spots and nodules that usually do not turn into blisters.

Causes of chickenpox without temperature:

• Weakened immunity. Viruses and their decay products do not elicit an adequate immune response.
• Chickenpox transferred at an early age (up to a year). In this case, chickenpox in an adult is considered repeated. There is a small amount of antibodies in his blood, which prevent the virus from actively multiplying and causing fever.
• Taking medications that lower the temperature. At the first symptoms of deterioration, many self-medicate and take medications containing paracetamol. Thus, they bring down the temperature, and the picture of the disease is distorted.

How long does chickenpox last in adults?

The duration of uncomplicated chickenpox in adults is 9 days from the moment the first signs appear. After that, the doctor can close the sick leave.

In practice, in 90% of patients, the disease lasts 10-14 days:

• prodromal period (without rash) - 2-3 days;
• the period of the appearance of new rashes - 3-4 days;
• the period of crust formation is 5 days (from the moment the last rashes appear).

Only after the last vesicle has become covered with a crust is the patient considered non-infectious. The skin will completely clear of crusts in 2-4 weeks.

Do scars remain on the skin?

With an uncomplicated course of the disease, scars after chickenpox do not remain. The varicella-zoster virus affects only the upper layers of the epidermis, and the growth layer responsible for skin repair remains intact.

Scars appear when bacteria enter the bubble and purulent inflammation develops. In this case, the deep layers of the skin melt. After the crust falls off, a depression with uneven edges is found under it - pockmark. In the future, the "fossa" remains, but evens out in color with the surrounding skin.

How to prevent chickenpox scars?

• Compliance with the rules of hygiene - regular change of linen, shower;
• Treatment of the rash with antiseptics - brilliant green, fucorcin;
• Prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics when the first pustules appear.

What to do if you have chickenpox scars?

• Ointments and gels for the treatment of scars. 2-3 times a day, rub a small amount of gel into the scar. For old scars, the gel is applied under the bandage at night. The course of treatment can take from 1 month to a year. For treatment are used:
  • Contractubex;
  • Aldara;
  • Kelofibraz;
  • Scarguard.
• Collagen injection under the skin. The substance fills the skin defect and stimulates the formation of connective fibers.
• Chemical peeling using phenol. Under the influence of aggressive chemicals, the stratum corneum of the epidermis and dermis is removed. After the epidermis is restored (takes up to 2 weeks), the skin becomes smooth.
• Laser skin resurfacing. A focused laser beam penetrates the surface layers of the dermis and heats them, evaporating the water. After the regeneration of skin cells, its surface is leveled. Caution: Carbon dioxide laser treatment can cause a hypertrophic keloid scar that extends over the skin. Therefore, an erbium or carbon dioxide laser is used.

Chickenpox is a worldwide viral infection that affects both adults and children. Mostly, this infection is sick in childhood. The main peak in the incidence of chickenpox in children is from 3 to 10 years. Those who had chickenpox in childhood are lucky because, often, the disease proceeds easily and without any complications. In adulthood, chickenpox can become a serious threat to human health. In this article, we will look at the possible complications of chickenpox in adults, and also talk about how to avoid complications.

Complications can occur due to various factors, but in people with a normal immune system, complications are usually rare. What complications can adults have? Complications of chickenpox are divided into 2 types:

• Bacterial complications. They appear as a result of pathogenic bacteria entering the wounds. This happens, as a rule, when scratching the rash or any other effect that violates the integrity of the chickenpox;
• Infectious complications. They arise due to the extensive damage to the whole organism by the virus. The risk group includes adults with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency and persons with suppressed immunity, as a result of undergoing specific treatment courses (for example, after chemotherapy);

Bacterial complications include:

• Suppuration of the rash, accompanied by an increase in temperature. As a rule, this is accompanied by the appearance of skin edema, and the skin around the rash thickens and grows. In the absence of timely medical intervention, necrosis may develop. Often, after such a complication of chickenpox in adults, deep skin disorders in the form of scars remain for life;

When bacteria enter the circulatory system, they are carried throughout the body, which can provoke bacterial damage to any organs. This can cause the following bacterial complications against the background of chickenpox:

• Bacterial pneumonia (occurs when bacteria attack the human lungs). It is accompanied by an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees and a dry cough, which gradually develops into a wet one;
• Bacterial encephalitis (when bacteria attack the brain). It is characterized by an increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, possible impaired coordination of movements, headache, delirium, etc.;

These complications are the most common in chickenpox, belonging to the category of bacterial.

Not so long ago, in the medical world, it was generally accepted that the chickenpox virus affects only the upper layers of the skin and mucous membranes of a person, but recent studies have revealed that the infection affects the entire body, including internal organs, the nervous system and the brain, which leads to infectious complications in adulthood.

Infectious complications are more dangerous, since they are more intense and, for this reason, medical intervention is often untimely. Infectious complications of chickenpox are as follows:

• Viral tracheitis or laryngitis. They arise due to excessive damage to the mucous membranes of the throat by the chickenpox virus. In this case, multiple herpes-like eruptions appear in the throat, accompanied by pain and discomfort;
• Chickenpox pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by extensive damage to the respiratory virus. Often, the course of such a complication proceeds unnoticed by the patient, but in severe cases, pneumonia is accompanied by a constant cough, with the possible appearance of blood;
• Acute stomatitis. It develops as a result of the appearance of numerous ulcers in the mouth, accompanied by unpleasant sensations and pain when chewing food, since in the oral cavity, including the gums and palate, there is a partial destruction of mucous tissues;
• Viral encephalitis or meningitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by infection. It is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, patients may experience acute headache, impaired musculoskeletal functions, delirium, vomiting, muscle cramps and spasms;
• Joint inflammation (infectious arthritis or arthrosis). It is characterized by pain in the joints. As a rule, it passes along with the infection, but exacerbations may appear in the future;
• Viral lesions of the kidneys, heart, liver;
• Infectious inflammation of the foreskin (in men) and inflammation of the labia - vulvitis (in women). It occurs due to the profuse appearance of a herpes rash in the genital area, accompanied by pain;

The most dangerous forms of chickenpox, which appear for the same reasons as complications, are:

• Gangrenous form of chickenpox. It occurs due to pathogenic bacteria entering the wounds when combing the rash, which later enter the bloodstream. With this form of complicated chickenpox, a transformation of the rash is observed (the bubbles become cloudy, due to the ongoing purulent processes in the skin epithelium and increase slightly in size), the body temperature rises to 40 degrees and above. Perhaps the appearance of delirium, impaired coordination of movements, involuntary twitching of limbs or individual muscle groups, nausea, vomiting. The consequences of this form of the disease are necrosis of skin tissue, in the worst case, gangrene and loss of limbs. In the absence of proper drug treatment, sepsis may develop. The gangrenous form of chickenpox is fatal;
• Hemorrhagic form of chickenpox, photo. It arises due to the complete defeat of the whole organism by the virus. At the same time, a change in the chickenpox rash is observed (an admixture of blood appears in the liquid contained in the bubbles, the rash itself slightly increases in size), the appearance of skin hemorrhages, nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the sclera, urine and stools with an admixture of blood, etc. The temperature reaches 40 degrees and above, acute headaches, vomiting, central nervous system disorders, involuntary movements, delirium and so on. This form of the disease is fatal;

Note that the appearance of the above presented forms of chickenpox is very rare today.

There is another possible complication that could appear decades later. This is herpes zoster or herpes zoster. If you look, then this is a separate disease, but some medical sources believe otherwise.

The fact is that after transferring the disease, even in childhood and in a mild form, there is a 15% chance that you will again meet with the manifestation of the varicella-zoster virus, since it does not completely eliminate, but remains with the person for life. hiding in the cells of the nervous system. For the time being, the virus is not active and does not interfere with life, but with a decrease in the activity of the immune system, the pathogen of chickenpox will manifest itself again, but already in the form of herpes zoster. This disease is characterized by unilateral herpes-like rashes on the body, accompanied by itching and pain. Itching and rash disappear after 2-4 weeks even without therapy, but the pain can persist for several months or even several years. This is called "postherpetic neuralgia."

In order to prevent possible complications from appearing, it is necessary to consult a qualified specialist at the first onset of symptoms and signs of the disease. Your doctor will prescribe the best treatment for your case of chickenpox. These recommendations must be strictly followed.

To exclude bacterial complications, it is enough not to scratch the rash and not to overcool.

However, to prevent this from happening with a 100% guarantee, it is worth considering preventive vaccination against chickenpox. This method contributes to the development of strong immunity against the pathogen of chickenpox and eliminates possible complications.

In custody

In this article, we have presented an incomplete list of possible complications of infection.

Are there any cases of chickenpox course with complications? There are, but thanks to modern methods of treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, it is extremely rare.

When do complications appear? With the wrong and untimely treatment.