Today we have prepared an article about chickenpox in children, but this is not an easy article, because in it we will look at what Dr. Komarovsky says about chickenpox. The article will cover issues such as: ways of transmission of the varicella zoster virus, symptoms, precautions and methods of treatment.

GENERAL INFORMATION

About chickenpox in children, Evgeny Olegovich Komarovsky, a pediatrician of the highest category, says that this is a typical viral infection. The herpetic virus that causes the disease has many striking features that are characteristic of chickenpox. First of all, almost 100% increased susceptibility is characteristic of this infection. That is, if a person has never had chickenpox, begins to come into contact with a virus carrier, the possibility of getting infected himself is very high.

Most often, children under the age of 12 become infected with chickenpox, and just at this age, the disease, as a rule, proceeds in a mild form. The severity of the disease is markedly increased in children over the age of 12 years. And the adult population suffers the disease in the form of an exceptionally severe degree. Secondary infection with chickenpox almost never occurs.

CAUSES AND ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION

Chickenpox is transmitted by airborne spread, and there is always a huge number of viruses around the sick person, which with the air flow can spread over fairly decent distances – to neighboring or adjacent rooms, as well as to other floors. According to Komarovsky, having entered the premises, the virus can be hidden for almost a month.

Conclusion: with a significant susceptibility and high volatility of the virus, all people during their lives are likely to repeatedly encounter (but not always get sick) with the chickenpox virus.

In order to be more likely to have a mild illness, since it most often occurs in childhood, visiting children’s institutions is quite important. There is a very high probability of getting infected in a timely manner and not suffering later.

Children under six months of age are not susceptible to the disease. The baby has antibodies obtained in utero from its mother during pregnancy. Chickenpox vaccines have already been developed, but are not required. In this regard, almost the entire child population sooner or later suffers from chickenpox.

SYMPTOMS OF CHICKENPOX ACCORDING TO KOMOROVSKY

Chickenpox is almost impossible to confuse with other diseases. Komarovsky says that the chickenpox virus infects the cells of the skin and forms characteristic changes on the skin in a child or an adult:

red small spots appear at first;

the affected area is not affected by the palms and feet;

after a while, bubbles with a clear liquid the size of a pea form from the spots;

itching of the affected areas begins;

after about a week, the bubbles burst and dried crusts form;

crusts begin to fall off, leaving no traces.

Komarovsky also clarifies that the virus ceases its activity and ceases to be transmitted after new rashes do not appear.

When chickenpox usually appears:

the general condition of the patient worsens;

body temperature rises, can reach up to 40 degrees;

poor sleep or insomnia occurs;

a state of irritability and nervousness may begin;

loss of appetite;

a feeling of great weakness begins.

Dr. Komarovsky notes that the process of the appearance of new bubbles occurs within a few days – from 2 to 5. If the disease went away with possible complications, then small spots may remain later. This can happen when a purulent virus is introduced into a combed wound.

Dr. Komarovsky recommends not to worry when signs of chickenpox appear. According to many years of practice, it is clear that it is much easier to get sick at an early age than to endure the disease as an adult.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

If no one in the family has ever had chickenpox before, it is impossible to rule out the disease. Komarovsky wrote about chickenpox in his book that the infection cannot be transmitted through objects. The route of transmission of the virus is exclusively airborne, it enters the body through the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth. In the external environment, the virus dies very quickly.

People surrounding the sick person, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, should be ready for joint treatment, because it will not be possible to escape from the disease by contacting the patient. Signs of the disease can be hidden for a long time, so it will not be possible to stop the spread of infection in time. As a rule, as a precautionary measure, it is mandatory to adhere to the rules of personal hygiene.

KOMOROWSKI’S TIPS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHICKENPOX

Komarovsky emphasizes that drugs that directly affect the causative agent of chickenpox are rarely used in the treatment of children. Such drugs that directly affect the herpes virus are prescribed only in severe cases of the disease.

With a mild course of chickenpox, all treatment is symptomatic, that is, the focus of treatment is the elimination of symptoms to maintain the patient’s condition. When a child has a fever, Dr. Komarovsky recommends giving pills such as Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.

We must not forget that aspirin with chickenpox is contraindicated. It can lead to complications in the form of liver damage. For the treatment of chickenpox in children, drug antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs for children should be used.

In order to suppress itching and prevent combing of rashes, which results in infection of healthy skin areas, Evgeny Olegovich advises:

to treat the skin, use the products prescribed by the attending physician;

give antihistamines for internal use to the child if necessary;

it is mandatory to bathe the child in the bath or shower using warm water;

bathing can be done three to four times a day;

you can pour a small amount of baking soda into the water;

daily change underwear and bed linen;

daily carry out wet cleaning and ventilate the room so that there is no overheating of the child and stuffiness in the room.

To avoid possible complications, Dr. Komarovsky recommends paying special attention to the drinking regimen. The fact is that dehydration of the body with chickenpox can contribute to damage to the kidneys, liver and any other internal organs of the child.