Chickenpox symptoms and treatment

Chickenpox usually occurs in newborns, and every newborn will experience this condition. Theoretically, if you have had chickenpox in childhood, the chance of getting chickenpox again in the future is very small. However, there are always some people who will have chickenpox again or even multiple times when they grow up, and if they are accidentally scratched, it will leave ugly scars. Chickenpox is similar to shingles, but without the stinging sensation of shingles. What are the symptoms of chickenpox? What are the treatments?

reason:

The disease is caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Varicella-zoster virus belongs to the Herpesviridae family. It is a double-stranded DNA virus with only one serotype. There are at least eight types of viral glycoproteins, which determine the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of the virus. The virus has very weak survival ability in the external environment, is not resistant to heat and acid, and can be inactivated by disinfectants such as ether. Humans are the only host of the virus, and patients are the only source of infection. The infectious period is generally from 1 to 2 days before the rash appears until the herpes is completely scabbed. Immunodeficient patients may be contagious throughout the course of the illness. Children may also develop chickenpox if they come into contact with someone with shingles, as the two have the same cause.

Chickenpox is highly contagious, and the main routes of transmission are respiratory droplets or direct contact. After the virus infects the human body, it first proliferates and replicates in the local lymph nodes in the nasopharynx for 4 to 6 days, then invades the blood and spreads throughout the body, causing lesions in various organs. The lesions of this disease are mainly in the spinous cell layer of the skin. The cells swell and degenerate to form cystic cells with eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the nucleus. Herpes is formed after cell lysis and infiltration of tissue fluid. The blister fluid contains large numbers of infectious virus particles. Blisters are also common on the mucosal surfaces of the oropharynx, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, conjunctiva, and vagina.

People of any age can be infected with the varicella-zoster virus, with infants, preschoolers and school-age children being more likely to be infected, and infants under 6 months old being less likely to be infected. The spread of varicella among susceptible populations depends mainly on factors such as climate, population density and medical and health conditions.

symptom:

1. In the early stage of chickenpox, there are light red macules, followed by dark red papules, transparent blisters, and finally scabs that fall off. Whenever chickenpox occurs, people must live in isolation because it is a disease with a high infection rate and spreads rapidly.

2. When the rash first appears, there is usually a fever symptom, which lasts for varying periods of time. If not treated, the body temperature will not drop until the herpes is about to scab over, so if you have a high fever, you need to be given intravenous drip to reduce inflammation.

3. Because chickenpox is a viral infection, general antibiotics are ineffective. You can apply Chinese medicine to the affected area or take it orally. It should be noted that this disease will cause itching. When the disease develops into blisters, the itching is particularly unbearable. Be careful not to scratch the itch with your hands. If you scratch the pus inside, the infection will be faster, and scars may be left at this time, like the pits left by smallpox, which will have a huge impact on your appearance and skin.

Treatment:

1. Chickenpox can be mild or severe. If the disease breaks out over a large area of ​​the body, the fever is severe, or there are symptoms of pneumonia or encephalitis, the patient should be hospitalized promptly and given anti-disease drugs such as intramuscular injection of ganciclovir. If the fever is not high or there are only skin symptoms, hospitalization is not necessary.

2. Apply calamine lotion externally to relieve itching; if itching is obvious, take oral loratadine tablets to relieve itching;

3. For blisters that have ruptured, do not use calamine anymore. Instead, apply iodine to disinfect. You can also use compound phellodendron liquid to promote wound contraction.

4. Chickenpox may affect the mucous membranes of some patients, such as the oral cavity, pharynx, conjunctiva, vulva, and anus. If it affects the oral cavity, pharynx, and mucous membranes, ignore it; if it affects the vulva and anus, you can apply compound phellodendron liquid to promote wound healing;