There are 13 chickenpox pits in adolescents. Among them are. Features of the disease in adolescence

Chickenpox is one of the most common diseases among children under 7 years of age. Determined that late manifestation chickenpox (in adolescence or later) aggravates symptoms, makes treatment longer and more difficult. Chickenpox in teenagers can become serious illness, requiring medical care and long-term therapy.

Children under 7 years of age are more susceptible to chickenpox, but older people also suffer from it.

general characteristics

Chicken pox is acute viral disease. Route of transmission: airborne. Symptoms and course of the disease depend on age category patient. The gender aspect (boy/girl) for the disease is insignificant. The virus affects both boys and girls with equal strength and frequency.

Main symptom viral infection is the formation of a characteristic rash on the body (the rash is benign). After completing the therapeutic course, the rash disappears without a trace. The rashes do not affect the germinal epidermis, so the chance of scar formation is minimal (in the absence of tactile contact). If tactile contact was made (the child scratched the wound), the risk of scar formation increases.

Because of airborne transmission of the virus, the main source of infection is the infected individual. Epidemic danger persists from the beginning incubation period until the crusts formed on the rash begin the process of dying.

Children aged 6 to 7 months are at risk of infection. After a single infection, the body develops immunity, which eliminates the possibility of infection with chickenpox in adulthood.

Chicken pox is unique disease, since susceptibility to this virus is 100%.

Features of the disease in adolescence

The peculiarity of infection in adolescence is the height of puberty (puberty). In the teenage body, a restructuring of the hormonal, psycho-emotional, immune and other systems occurs.

During puberty, a teenager's body is especially vulnerable to various pathogenic viruses and bacteria. If immunity to chickenpox was not obtained in infancy, infection at the age of 13-16 years is quite possible and expected. The virus can enter the body after the slightest hypothermia or nervous strain. In addition, due to the droplet-air transmission route, the infection can be “located” in crowded places ( educational establishments, public swimming pools, sports grounds) where teenagers spend a significant part of their time.

Symptoms

Chickenpox symptoms in teenagers are similar to similar manifestations in children. The difference lies in the severity of such manifestations. It is believed that pathogenic symptoms develop faster, are more difficult for the youth’s body to tolerate, last longer and take more effort to recover.

  • Increased sensitivity/vulnerability of the body.
  • A sharp decline protective function immune system.
  • Promotion temperature indicators bodies.
  • Prolonged attacks of headache.
  • Runny nose, chills.
  • Formation of a rash on the dermis, severe itching. It is forbidden to make tactile contact with the rash during chickenpox. With tactile contact, they will begin to spread, increasing the risk of infection in the wound, and the possibility of scar formation appears.
  • Intoxication of the body (against the background elevated temperature body).
  • Muscle strain, which is manifested by involuntary trembling of the muscles.
  • Decreased overall performance.
  • Sleep disturbance (disruption of biological rhythm).
  • Enlarged lymph nodes.

Diagnostic measures

After the manifestation of adverse symptoms, parents should refer the teenager for examination to the treating pediatrician. Based on patient complaints and visual inspection skin the pediatrician makes a conclusion. Based on this conclusion, determining the required parameters of the patient’s body, a course of treatment is drawn up (how to treat chickenpox in adolescents).

The treatment prescribed by the doctor becomes mandatory. As mentioned above, chickenpox in adolescents is dangerous condition body. If you refuse prescribed therapy, the patient may develop severe complications, which will be much more difficult for the child to cure.

Therapy

How long should chickenpox treatment last? To cure chickenpox, the child should be isolated from peers (to avoid mass infection) for at least 21 days (the duration of the incubation period). The duration of therapy may vary depending on the patient’s individual performance, the success of the therapeutic course, and other things.

In this case, parents should quickly call a doctor at home (therapy should be carried out at home), ask the teenager to take a lying position (active body movements are prohibited). Start giving your child plenty of warm liquids (as much as the child can and wants to drink, do not force him to drink against his will). If the condition worsens, it is permissible to take an antipyretic drug. The antipyretic medication must be based on paracetamol; the use of aspirin is prohibited.

After the doctor arrives and examines the teenager, he will prescribe his own therapeutic course with a designated daily routine, the specifics of taking medications (how much, how and in what quantity), and specific hygiene procedures. Do not engage in self-therapy, strictly follow your doctor’s instructions so as not to worsen your child’s condition.

Treatment for smallpox involves complex application medicines and supplies traditional medicine for prevention.

Therapy consists of several components:

  • taking medications;
  • use of traditional medicine (which is agreed with the doctor).

A teenager can be cured of chickenpox with the following basic medications:

  • brilliant green;
  • "Parecetamol";
  • "Viferon";
  • decoctions for internal use;
  • lotions for treating rashes;
  • medicinal compresses based on herbal ingredients.

Such therapy should be taken seriously. Don't commit any medical actions without the doctor's consent. Rubbing with the wrong decoctions can expand the rash, promote the formation of blisters and the formation of scars.

As a rule, people get sick with chickenpox or varicella, as it is called in medicine, in childhood. In this case, the disease proceeds without any special complications and much faster, and with age its manifestations become more severe and can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, chickenpox in adolescents has specific symptoms, which cause great inconvenience to patients and often cause various complications.

Chickenpox symptoms in teenagers

The main difference between teenage chickenpox and of this disease V younger age, as noted, is a more severe form of the disease. The chickenpox virus is transmitted by airborne droplets mainly in places where people are in large numbers (schools, cinemas, swimming pools, etc.), and this leads to the fact that the disease in children often disappears en masse.

The severe form of chickenpox in adolescents is caused, first of all, by active processes of physical and hormonal changes in the body during this period. They contribute to increased sensitivity and vulnerability of the body, which leads to susceptibility to viruses and reduces resistance to infections. Against the background of weakened immunity, these factors only aggravate the patient’s serious condition.

The symptoms of chickenpox in adolescents are very similar to the signs of acute respiratory infections:

  • Temperature increase;
  • Chills;
  • Runny nose;
  • Attacks of headaches.

These manifestations of the disease occur approximately one day before the skin rash, which is the main symptom of chickenpox in adolescents. It is important to note that the disease becomes contagious much earlier. Skin rashes in patients may also be accompanied by severe itching which causes constant desire scratch blisters. They spread very quickly throughout the body, but you should never touch, squeeze or scratch the rash, as there is a high risk of infection in the wound.

This symptom of chickenpox in adolescents usually affects the entire skin already on the 5th-7th day of the disease, and within 10 days there is a possibility of a recurrence of the rash. Then the blisters dry out and crust over 10-14 days after the onset of the disease. These crusts remain on the skin for another couple of weeks, after which they gradually fall off, leaving small pinkish spots. Some time later, such spots decrease in size and disappear, as a rule, on their own.

It should be noted that the peak of the formation of skin rashes with chickenpox is characterized by an increase in temperature to 38-40 degrees, and this often causes severe intoxication of the patient’s body. In addition, the rash is also localized on the mucous membranes (nose, tongue, palate, bladder, urethra, etc.).

Among additional symptoms chickenpox in adolescents can be distinguished as follows:

  • Muscle pain and muscle twitching;
  • General weakness and lethargy of the body;
  • Sleep disturbance;
  • Enlarged lymph nodes;
  • Photophobia.

Complications after chickenpox in adolescents

As noted above, complications after chickenpox in adolescents are much more common than in young children who contract this virus. This is due to the specific characteristics of the body at this stage. That's why hormonal changes, characteristic of the period, can easily provoke such purulent complications chickenpox rash, such as:

  • Fasciitis;
  • Pyoderma;
  • Phlegmon;
  • Abscess.

Another complication after chickenpox in adolescents is the formation of scars and age spots at the site of the blisters. Such consequences arise due to scratching the rash when scratching gets into bacterial infections. This can also provoke such skin lesions as gangrenous and hemorrhagic phenomena.

Separately, it should be said about complications after chickenpox in adolescents, which occur in severe form. They are characterized by the formation of large blisters filled with fluid, in the place of which ulcers remain that are difficult to heal. The gangrenous form of chickenpox occurs in adolescents with a weakened body. Its symptoms include the appearance of blisters, rapidly growing in size, with bloody fluid inside. The crust on them, after drying, is black with inflamed tissue along the edges.

The hemorrhagic form of chickenpox is observed with blood clotting disorders. Blisters with this disease also contain bloody fluid. Complications of this form may include skin hemorrhages, nosebleeds, etc.

Treatment of chickenpox in adolescents

Treatment of chickenpox in adolescents is practically no different from the treatment of this disease in children. First of all, in order to avoid all sorts of complications, it is necessary to refrain in every possible way from scratching the rash. For this purpose, the blisters are lubricated with brilliant green or fucorcin, which reduce the feeling of itching and help them dry out. In addition, in order not to introduce infection into the wounds, the places where the rash forms are treated with antiseptic agents.

When treating chickenpox in adolescents, antiallergic drugs such as fenistil and suprastin, as well as immunostrengthening agents (for example, Viferon suppositories) are often used. Chickenpox often requires the use of antipyretics, which are recommended at temperatures above 38 °C. Doctors advise avoiding the use of aspirin and taking medications containing paracetamol. It is safe for the health of adolescents and has a good anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.

Effective treatment of chickenpox in adolescents also involves constant use liquids, dairy and plant products. It is important to know what to wet chicken rash is not possible, therefore bathing during the period of illness is strictly not recommended, with the exception of taking baths with potassium permanganate, which help reduce itching. Otherwise, the healing of the rash will proceed very slowly. Allowed only intimate hygiene. To relieve itching, doctors often recommend the use of diazolin.

When chickenpox occurs in adolescents, strict bed rest and complete isolation are necessary, since the disease is highly contagious and requires quarantine.

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Chicken pox - infection characterized by skin rashes. Chickenpox is believed to be a disease of children preschool age. Having been ill once, the child develops a strong immunity and becomes insensitive to this infection. However, today you can find chickenpox in adolescents, adults, and even cases of secondary disease.

Despite modern methods vaccinations to reduce infection statistics, chickenpox is a common disease. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, so it is contracted mainly in places where children gather in large numbers - preschool institutions, schools, swimming pools, etc.

Usually in preschool age the disease goes away quite easily, without complications and without leaving any traces. But what older child, the more severe the chickenpox progresses. Approximately 10% of all reported cases of smallpox occur in adolescents. At the moment when the body undergoes age-related restructuring and weakening of the immune system, the disease often occurs in moderate and severe forms.

Chickenpox in adolescents often leads to serious complications, much more often than is observed in childhood. In schoolchildren, the disease requires more long-term treatment and rehabilitation to restore immunity.

Chickenpox symptoms in teenagers

The incubation period after infection can last from 14 to 22 days. Then symptoms similar to those of acute respiratory infections appear - runny nose, chills, headache, temperature increase. And only a day later a rash appears.

There are also characteristic symptoms chickenpox in teenagers:

  • General weakness, severe muscle pain and headache, bright pronounced syndrome intoxication. Convulsive twitching, photophobia are possible;
  • The whole body is covered profusely with an itchy rash. During the period of illness, rashes appear in waves, and by the 10th day almost all of the skin is affected;
  • The appearance of new pimples is accompanied by worsening general condition, the temperature can rise to 38-40 0 C;
  • The tendency of the rash to suppurate;
  • Chickenpox in adolescents often has severe form. The older the teenager, the more severely he suffers from the disease;
  • High risk of complications associated with intoxication of the whole body.

How to treat chickenpox in teenagers

If parents suspect that their child is infected with chickenpox, they should immediately consult a doctor. In general in serious condition and pronounced skin rashes neuralgic disorders may be observed: convulsions, severe headaches, muscle pain radiating to the legs, difficulty breathing. In such cases, immediate hospitalization is required.

Before the doctor arrives, you should be given plenty of cool liquids to drink. Paracetamol can help reduce fever. Due to the fact that a rash may appear on the oral mucosa, taking aspirin is contraindicated.

Chickenpox in adolescents, first of all, involves treating the underlying disease and preventing severe complications. Bed rest, gentle nutrition with the exception of sour and spicy foods, large quantity fluids are measures that parents should provide. The doctor usually prescribes antipyretic and antihistamine medications.

The mandatory use of antiviral medications in the form of ointments or parenteral injections is recommended. In moderate to severe forms of the disease, administration is required antibacterial therapy. To prevent complications, the administration of immunoglobulin is often used.

During the period of illness, the teenager experiences severe itching, which provokes scratching, which can lead to infection in the wounds and the spread of rashes throughout the body. Often purulent pimples leave scars on the skin for life. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly and carefully treat the rash antiseptic solutions.

Many parents are interested in how to treat chickenpox in teenagers. folk ways. Experts clearly answer that the use herbal decoctions is possible only in combination with drug treatment. For example, in order to soothe itching, lotions from a decoction of oak bark, chamomile, joster, and sage are used.

However, so far the most effective and affordable drug In the fight against smallpox, brilliant green is considered. It is applied cotton swab on inflamed areas. Also, to reduce itching and drying out of pimples, use 5% water solution potassium permanganate or Castellani liquid. Solutions quickly relieve itching and prevent the development of bacterial infection. At the first appearance of pustular elements, it is recommended to use fucorcin.

Many parents are interested in whether it is possible to bathe a sick child? Of course, during the period of exacerbation, with high temperature and the appearance of a pustular rash, swimming is not recommended. But as soon as the temperature drops, many doctors advise using hygiene procedures when taking a shower for chickenpox in adolescents. Thus, by washing away sweat and dirt, purulent inflammation can be prevented.

In addition, bathing relaxes and greatly reduces itching. In order for swimming to be safe, you must follow some rules. For example, you cannot swim in hot water, use a washcloth and foam detergents. Consequently, the hygienic procedure should be reduced to a short rinse, after which the body is easily blotted without effort.

Due to high risk development of complications, it is advisable to treat chickenpox in adolescents in inpatient departments, under the supervision of a doctor.

Chickenpox complications in adolescents

In case of untimely or improper treatment Serious complications may occur:

  • The virus can enter the lungs, causing chickenpox pneumonia. This complication is typical for adolescents with weakened immune systems or suffering from chronic diseases;
  • Meningitis (inflammation of the brain) can develop 5–10 days after the rash appears. IN adolescence the cerebellum is most often affected, resulting in problems with muscle coordination;
  • The inflammatory process can affect vision if the virus gets into the eyes. The rash may appear on the whites of the eyes and leave scars on the cornea, which leads to decreased or complete loss vision;
  • Sometimes smallpox occurs with muscle pain and inflammation of the joints;
  • IN in rare cases inflammation is observed spinal cord or optic nerve.

Due to the possibility of a severe course of the disease and a high risk of complications with chickenpox in adolescents, it should be treated under constant control doctor IN otherwise You may miss the moment of providing timely assistance.

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. According to statistics, 80% of the world's population manages to become infected with it at an early age.

Most often, children from 3 to 5 years old suffer from this disease. The infection at this age is mild, and the child who has recovered from the infection develops a strong immunity to re-infection. However, the older a person gets, the more severe the disease is.

In adolescents, chickenpox causes progressive symptoms and provokes the development dangerous complications. Therefore, it is important to immediately recognize the first symptoms of chickenpox and seek medical help in time.

Approximate statistics from the Russian Federation indicate that approximately 10% of identified cases of smallpox occur in children 12-15 years old and are severe.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that during this period children undergo hormonal changes in the body, which causes a decrease in immunity. The physiology of the body also changes. The body becomes vulnerable and sensitive to stress and does not tolerate any type of infection well.

Who is susceptible to the disease

Teenagers with weak immunity who have a history of chronic oncological diseases. Also at risk are those who have not been ill previously had chickenpox boys and girls.

The infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, through direct contact with the virus carrier. An infected person who poses a threat can easily appear in places where teenagers like to spend a lot of time: on sports grounds, in hobby clubs, at public seminars and festivals. The slightest hypothermia or nervous tension forms favorable conditions For severe course chickenpox in adolescents over 14 years of age.

Signs of chickenpox in teenagers

The first symptoms appear after the end of the incubation period: 11-21 days after infection. Chickenpox in adolescents occurs with the same symptoms as in preschool children.

On the first day:

  • increased body temperature;
  • weakness, headache and drowsiness;
  • enlarged lymph nodes.

On the second day, a rash spreads throughout the body. The process of its formation is carried out in several stages. First, the skin turns red at the site where the papules form, then a fluid-filled blister appears. After a couple of days it bursts and erosion forms. The next day, the affected areas of the skin dry out, and a crust appears in their place. This phenomenon occurs in waves. During the period of illness, two to four phases may change.

Most blisters on the body crust over two weeks after the first blisters appear. If by this point new skin lesions no longer form, the teenager begins to recover.

After healing wounds on the body form pink spots. Over time, the skin color will even out and return to its original appearance. But this doesn't always happen.

Features of the disease

At 15-16 years old, hormonal processes cause mental instability. Therefore, situations often arise at school and in the family that lead a teenager to prolonged stress. All this reduces immunity and contributes to the appearance of severe chickenpox.

An increase in body temperature (up to +40 degrees and above) is accompanied by severe headache, muscle aches, symptoms acute intoxication. At this point, adolescents often experience photophobia and muscle twitching.

The rashes appear not only on the skin of the body, but are also localized in the mouth, nose, genitals and bladder.

The disease is accompanied by severe itching, which becomes impossible to tolerate. The child begins to scratch his entire body. In adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age, the rash may turn into suppuration at the site of burst blisters.

Complications

Severe infection in adolescence increases the risk of complications. These include:

  • dark spots;
  • scars after healing of the rash elements;
  • purulent formations that can cause the formation of phlegmon and fasciitis;
  • pyoderma and abscess.

Elements of the rash can appear not only on the body, but also on surfaces internal organs. The virus can penetrate the lungs and develop chickenpox pneumonia. It can travel through the bloodstream to the brain and cause meningitis.

A phenomenon in which a large accumulation of rashes forms in one area is considered dangerous. In their place it becomes possible start gangrene.

If treatment is not carried out promptly, sepsis may occur - infectious infection blood. Due to intoxication, it ends in death in most cases.

If chickenpox progresses without complications, then therapy can be carried out at home. The patient is isolated in a separate room. They provide him bed rest And drinking plenty of fluids. The class in which the child is studying is closed for quarantine.

Treatment

After confirming the diagnosis, a therapeutic regimen, which helps to stop the main manifestations of the disease.

To lower body temperature, antipyretics are prescribed - Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.

Skin rashes must be treated antibacterial ointments, antiseptic solutions. Castellani's solution, potassium permanganate, and brilliant green are best suited for this. These drugs help prevent the possibility of a bacterial component joining the infection.

To chicken pox easier to tolerate, added to medications internal reception antiviral drugs. Acyclovir has proven itself well in the fight against Varicella Zoster.

In order to prevent the occurrence of unwanted complications, the administration of immunoglobulin is prescribed.

When the body temperature drops, the teenager can swim. It is allowed to shower without soap, shampoos and washcloths. It is important to reduce hygiene procedure for a short rinse in warm water. After water procedures The body can be gently blotted with a towel.

Prevention of chickenpox in healthy adolescents

The best prevention of chickenpox in adolescence is vaccination. You can get vaccinated at any age. Children under 13 years of age are given one dose of the vaccine. The injection is given in the shoulder or under the shoulder blade.

Children over 13 years of age should receive two doses of the vaccine every 10 years. Only 1% of vaccinated children develop symptoms after administration of a live vaccine. signs of mild stages of the disease.

Parents should always remember that chickenpox in adolescents always occurs with complications. The older the child, the more severe the disease. Sometimes chickenpox in preschool children occurs without visible symptoms, and parents simply may not know that their child has suffered an infection on his legs. In such situations, vaccination during adolescence may provoke re-infection. Therefore, before getting vaccinated, you should play it safe and get tested for antibodies to Varicella Zoster.