Chickenpox in a child 6 years old symptoms. The first signs of chickenpox in a child

Chickenpox is an infectious disease caused by the chickenpox virus, which belongs to the herpes virus family. It is characterized by fever, a rash with various elements (from spots to crusts), severe itching and catarrhal phenomena.

A characteristic of the herpes simplex virus type 3 is its volatility. In a poorly ventilated room, it is able to spread over 20 m, and any person who does not have chickenpox can become infected.

Chickenpox is most often found in children of preschool age, but it is extremely rare in children under 6 months of age.

In newborns, chickenpox has an extremely severe course. Often they are diagnosed with atypical forms of chickenpox.

By 6 years, 70% of children have antibodies to chickenpox and immunity for the rest of their lives.

  After a person has chickenpox, he develops antibodies to the herpes simplex virus type 3, and an immune response is formed to the repeated introduction of the virus. But with immunodeficiency, shingles or a second case of chickenpox may develop, since the virus continues to "live" in the nerve ganglia, it is impossible to completely recover.

People with immunodeficiency often suffer from tinea. A feature of this disease is that the rash does not spread throughout the skin, but along the nerve, for example, along the intercostal space or on the face along one of the branches of the facial or trigeminal nerve. This disease is unpleasant, its prodromal period is especially unpleasant, often the sick person does not connect it with the manifestation of herpes infection.

A bit of history

Until the 18th century, chickenpox was not considered an independent disease, it was considered one of the manifestations of smallpox. And only at the beginning of the 20th century did the first descriptions of the virus, the causative agent of the disease in the contents of the vesicles, appear. And only in the 40s of the twentieth century did the description of chickenpox virus appear.

How does chickenpox manifest in children? Course of the disease

Usually, after contact with a sick person, after 11 to 21 days (this is the incubation period of chickenpox), the first signs of chickenpox appear in a child. A long incubation period often provokes a slight confusion in the parents.

It would seem that the meeting with the patient was long ago, and the threat of getting sick has already passed, and then the child begins to complain of body aches, chills, temperature rises to 38 - 39 ° C, nasal discharge appears, the baby becomes lethargic, sleepy. Since a lot of time passes after contact with the patient, mothers can not always understand that these are the first symptoms of chickenpox in children.

  A rash appears in a day or two. It is initially small-spotted or spotty. Children usually complain of itching, babies up to four years old can cry and behave uneasily. During the day, spots turn into vesicles filled with serous contents. After a few days, the vesicles open, and in their place crusts form on the skin. After the crust comes off, the wound heals completely, without leaving scars.

It should be noted that the rash appears (pours) every 2 to 3 days for 3 to 7 days, because all elements of the rash are different (polymorphic).

The child is contagious two days before the first signs of the disease appear, during the rash period and up to seven days after the last rash.

It should be noted that usually the younger the child is, the easier he tolerates the disease. A child of 3 years is easier than an adult to survive this period.

Symptoms of chickenpox in children

• temperature is higher than 38 ˚С. It should be noted that sometimes the temperature rises to 40 ° C. This is not a complication of the disease, but only a feature of the reactivity of the immunity of a sick person. However, in some cases, the temperature throughout the disease can be 37 ° C;
• the appearance of a rash is staged. The stages of the rash are a spot-bubble-the appearance of crusts. The rash appears on the entire body of the child, except for the palms and feet. Also, chickenpox is characterized by a rash on the scalp;
• the wavy appearance of a rash, when after the appearance of rashes there is a short lull.

Other symptoms of the disease:

• viral conjunctivitis. It appears, as a rule, when the herpes virus damages the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. When viral conjunctivitis occurs, children may complain of discomfort in their eyes, they will say that it is unpleasant or painful to look at the light, tears flow from their eyes;
• vulvovaginitis in girls;
• stomatitis - the appearance of a rash on the mucous membranes of the mouth. In case of a rash in the child’s mouth, you should contact your doctor for further examination and possible changes in treatment tactics.

Swimming with chickenpox

Is it possible to bathe a child with chickenpox when he is sick - this question is especially acute.

Opinions on this issue, as always, differ.

1. You can not take a bath, that is, lie for a long time and steam the body (in order to avoid infection of open wounds).
2. Do not use a sponge or washcloth. Do not rub the child’s body in any way.
3. Be careful with soap and shower gels. They dry the skin and may increase irritation.
4. It is better if the child takes a shower.
5. After the shower, you need to dampen the water with a soft towel. In no case should you rub your body.
6. After the skin has dried, it is necessary to treat it with brilliant green or fucorcin.

Features of caring for children with chickenpox

Usually, children bring infection from kindergarten, often infect younger brothers and sisters. Chickenpox in children proceeds in a mild form, and the most unpleasant is a rash, because these children are treated at home.

  How to treat chickenpox in children we will discuss a little later, but for now, let's remember how to care for babies with chickenpox:

• diet. If the child refuses to eat, do not force them, it is better to eat a little, but more often. Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet;
• plentiful drink. Fruit drinks, compotes, jelly and homemade freshly squeezed juices are recommended. If the child does not want to drink it, offer tea or water;
• it is advisable to limit active games, trying to keep the child in bed is pointless;
• try to explain that you can’t comb sores, the child’s nails should be cut short;
• it is advisable to change bed linen every day, the child should sleep separately in his bed;
• the room in which the child is located must be washed every day, it is necessary to ventilate at least once an hour;
• it is desirable that there are no other children in the environment of the sick child, but, alas, this is not always possible.

To walk or not to walk?

This is another question in the care of a sick chickenpox child, worrying parents: is it possible to walk with the baby with chickenpox?

During the period when the child is contagious, walks are not recommended. But if the parents are sure that the baby will not be in contact with anyone (for example, if you live in a private house), then you can go for a short walk.

We list the important conditions for walking:

1. Body temperature should normalize.
2. The last rash was 7 days ago. Otherwise, if you still went for a walk, there should not be other people on the street, especially children or pregnant women.
3. If a child has recently had chickenpox, he cannot sunbathe and swim in open water.
4. The immunity of an ill child is still weakened, therefore, contacts with sick children or adults with malaise are not recommended.

Prevention and vaccination

It has been done in our country since 2008, but is still not one of the mandatory vaccinations, which means that the parents themselves must decide for themselves whether or not to vaccinate their baby.

  Vaccination is now recommended from two years old. The vaccine is given once, provided that the child is not 13 years old, and twice to children from 13 and adults who have not yet been sick.

Vaccines are being vaccinated with Varilrix or Okavax vaccines (they are live attenuated vaccines).

Vaccination takes place according to the following scheme:

• Okavax - 0.5 ml (one dose) at a time for children over 12 months of age;
• "Varilrix" - 0.5 ml (one dose) twice with an interval of 2 - 2.5 months.

Emergency prophylaxis is carried out by any of the above drugs within 96 hours from the moment of contact with a sick person. In our country, such prevention is not common.

After administration of the drug, after 7 days, the symptoms of chickenpox in the child may appear. This is a slight malaise, fever up to 38 ° C, a mild rash may appear. All symptoms go away on their own within a few days. They do not need to be treated, they are not a complication of vaccination.

Another way of prevention is to isolate sick children. True, this is ineffective, since in children the prodromal period is not always manifested brightly, but the child is infected two days before the rash appears.

What can be confused with chickenpox?

In the beginning, before the rash appears, the disease is similar to the course of any viral disease, such as flu.

At the first rash, you can take chickenpox for an allergy or prickly heat, but usually during the day it becomes clear that the conclusion is wrong.

Usually, after a rash appears, everything becomes clear.

Complications of chickenpox

There are always exceptions, but more often they talk about the rules. For example, when a pregnant woman who has not previously had chickenpox gets sick, she has a chance to lose her baby, or the baby may be born with chickenpox.

  Children under the age of one year carry chickenpox extremely hard, and it runs in their atypical form.

Another option is adults and adolescents. They also sometimes have complications, such as, for example, viral pneumonia, myocarditis or encephalitis.

Atypical forms of chickenpox

1. Rudimentary. Rashes are spotty, there are practically no catarrhal symptoms, the disease passes easily.
2. Hemorrhagic form. Bubbles in this form are filled not with transparent, but with blood contents. The course of the disease is severe, patients have vomiting with blood, nosebleeds, black stool is possible. On the second day, petechial rashes (small point hemorrhages in the skin) appear.
3. Bullous form. Bubbles in this form coalesce, forming the so-called bullae. They are usually filled with muddy contents.
4. Gangrenous form. It has an extremely severe course.
5. Generalized form. With this form of the disease, severe intoxication, damage to the internal organs, is observed.

All atypical forms (except rudimentary) are treated in a hospital, often in intensive care units.

Treatment of chickenpox in children

If you see that your child is sick, call a doctor who will prescribe and monitor the treatment. Each drug has its own subtleties and features. Incorrect treatment, as well as its complete absence, can lead to complications during the illness.

1. If the temperature rises above 38.5 ° C, you can give your child a febrifuge drug based on ibuprofen or paracetamol.
2. To reduce skin itching, you can use local ointments, such as Herpevir, Acyclovir. Perhaps the use of Fenistil gel.
3. You can use antihistamines. For example, Diazolin, it is available in tablets.
4. For the prevention of secondary infection of ulcers, use of Zelenka or Fukortsin. The application of such drugs also helps to determine the appearance of new vesicles.
5. When sore throat, you can use decoctions of herbs and drugs that are approved for the treatment of children of a particular age.
6. Antiviral therapy is required. She is prescribed by a doctor.

Dear mothers, I wish you not to get lost from the tears of your children, and for this to be very attentive and patient to them. Chickenpox is only a part of your child’s life, and over time there will be only photos that remind of the spotty-greenback period.

This disease can be called the most common among all infectious ailments that only occur in children. A person can get chickenpox only once and then develops stable immunity for the rest of his life. It is clear that in children this disease is much easier than in adults. But still, if chickenpox appeared in children, the symptoms of this infectious disease should be known to every parent. You don’t really need to worry about the disease, almost all the children go through this ailment.

Many are interested in how chickenpox begins in children and where a child can catch this infection. It is worth noting that almost all children from two to seven years old suffer from it, especially if they go to kindergarten, because the pathogen is very volatile and can penetrate into neighboring rooms and apartments.

Causes of the disease

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease, it is transmitted by airborne droplets through the mucous membranes of the eye and upper respiratory tract. Therefore, this disease got its name because of the transmission method - “chickenpox”, since the virus is carried through the air (as if by wind). As soon as one child catches the virus in an institution, the first symptoms of chickenpox appear in children of everyone else. Children up to six months old do not suffer from this disease, since the mother transferred immunity to him even during the intrauterine development of the baby. Children older than seven to ten years old suffer from chickenpox, but much less often than younger children.

Therefore, it is very important to know what chickenpox looks like in children. Adults can also catch an infection, their disease is very difficult.

The source of infection is only sick people, because this virus is not adapted to the external environment and almost immediately dies as soon as it leaves the human body. The source of infection will be only the person whose disease is proceeding in an active form, it begins two days before the first signs of chickenpox appear in a child. This explains the general infection, if your child had contact with a sick person, then we can say with one hundred percent certainty that he will also become infected. But on the street, especially in the summer, the virus cannot exist.

Signs of the disease

Of course, every parent wants to know how chickenpox manifests itself in children, to immediately recognize this insidious disease and start treatment on time. In our country, children with chickenpox are in quarantine, but in many European countries such sick children are not isolated from their peers, as doctors believe that it is better to get this ailment in childhood than to suffer in adulthood.

It looks like a skin rash with chickenpox

Incubation period

The incubation period of chickenpox in children lasts from one to three weeks. At this time, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, and the parents do not even suspect that their child was sick, but the child becomes contagious to others from the time the virus gets into it and until the last rashes on the skin.

It is worth noting that the average duration of the incubation period of chickenpox in children is two weeks, and the shortest time is a week.

Further development of the disease

After the incubation period, the first signs of chickenpox in a child may be:

• a sharp increase in temperature to 39 degrees and a little higher. And if in the future there were no skin rashes, then chickenpox can be confused with SARS. But it is worth noting that such a sharp increase in temperature does not always happen, in many cases the temperature does not exceed 37-37.5 degrees. There may even be chickenpox without fever in children;
• the child begins to have a headache, a general feeling of weakness appears;
• the baby becomes irritable and is not interested in anything, he also does not sleep well and eats;
• almost immediately after an increase in temperature, a rash appears on the child’s body. So she is considered the most important symptom of chickenpox in children. The first rashes occur on the baby's face, because the virus enters through the respiratory tract, and small capillaries are affected. The hue of the rash is pinkish, but it does not appear on the palms and feet. These pink-reddish spots spread throughout the baby’s body very quickly - in almost a couple of hours.

Just a few hours after the appearance of the first rash, the spots turn into small bubbles filled with liquid. Together with the appearance of the bubbles, their unbearable itching begins, the child begins to comb the rash. Parents should be very careful and not let the baby scratch the rashes, because you can easily bring an infection into the wounds.

For three days, the bubbles dry and become covered with a dry crust of dark red color. But at this time, more and more rashes appear on the body, and the disease itself is characterized by a wave-like course. New bubbles occur over four to eight days, while the temperature may rise all the time. After this, the disease declines, and the signs of chickenpox in children become less pronounced. The crusts formed at the places of the bubbles should fall off in two weeks. After them there are small traces of a pale pinkish tint, over time they will pass. If the child constantly combed the bubbles or tore off the crusts - there may be small scars on the skin.

Typically, chickenpox lasts for ten days from the onset of the first symptoms of chickenpox in children.

Symptoms of chickenpox in infants are the same as in older children

Signs of chickenpox in infants

As already mentioned, up to six months, the baby retains antibodies transmitted by the mother during pregnancy in the body, so the general immunity during this period of the baby’s growth is strong. But in the future, while the baby develops his immunity, he can easily become infected with chickenpox. There are much more chances to resist infection in babies that the mother is breastfeeding. Chickenpox in children under one year old differs in almost the same signs as in older children, namely:

1. on the body and face of the baby, a rash appears in the form of mosquito bites. It spreads rapidly throughout the body;
2. on the second day, the rashes turn into bubbles with fluid inside;
3. along with the rash, the baby rises in temperature;
4. lymph nodes are enlarged.

Five days later, the disease is no longer contagious, the rashes stop, acne slowly disappears. It is worth noting that in children the disease can go away in different ways: easily, without any complications and with single skin rashes, or an ailment torments the baby with intense fever and itching. The baby still can not tell you anything, so he does not sleep well, constantly cries, refuses to eat.

In very severe cases, the rash appears not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes, and this brings unbearable suffering to both the baby and his mother. Therefore, it is very important to know how chickenpox appears in infants in order to help your child.

It is worth noting that after this disease there may be complications such as shingles, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and other infectious ailments.

Chickenpox forms

Doctors distinguish three forms of chickenpox depending on how it proceeds:

1. light form. Rashes are not massive, some children are lucky and they get off with only single pimples. In this case, chickenpox occurs in children without a temperature that does not rise at all, and the duration of acne is two or three days;
2. moderate form. Here the temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, the child has a headache, sleep disturbance, and the rashes are very itchy. The rash will be plentiful and acne will appear within five to seven days;
3. severe form. New rashes raise the temperature even higher, it can be up to forty degrees. Severe headaches, nausea with vomiting, fever and delirium are present. New blisters occur within seven to ten days. The rash is strong; it appears in the child’s mouth and genitals.

Treatment of chickenpox in children

It is clear that all parents want to learn how to treat chickenpox in children. But this viral disease is not treated with antibiotics, they are prescribed only if a bacterial infection is added to the viral infection and suppuration of the vesicles occurs. This is due to the fact that the child constantly scratches the rash and combes it. That is why, if chickenpox is diagnosed in children, treatment requires careful monitoring of the baby by the parents.

Medications

The initial symptomatology is an increase in temperature and if it is large, be sure to bring it down. It will help alleviate the condition of the baby Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Never give children aspirin!

The most common drug that fights the chickenpox virus is Acyclovir. Most often it is prescribed for adults and adolescents who are sick with chickenpox. Acyclovir with chickenpox in children of preschool and primary school age is prescribed only if the disease is very severe, then the drug will help the child’s body cope with the disease.

It is also prescribed for congenital chickenpox, including newborn babies, because this infection in children under one year old is very difficult if there is no immunity. With chickenpox in children, acyclovir is very effective, when ingested, the drug penetrates the cells affected by the virus, integrates into the DNA of the virus and prevents its reproduction. Assign it for oral administration of one or two tablets up to three times a day, the dosage is selected by the doctor. If treatment is carried out in a hospital, and this is possible with a very severe form, then the medicine is administered intravenously in droppers.

How to deal with itching

One of the signs of chickenpox in children is severe itching in the rash. This is the most difficult thing for the baby, because it is very difficult for him to refrain from combing the rash. The prominent sweat makes the itching even stronger, so you need to maintain the optimum temperature in the room where the patient is and more often change his underwear. It is best to wear clothing made from natural cotton fabrics on the baby so that the body "breathes" and the baby will sweat less.

Want something interesting?

You can’t bathe in the baby’s bath during such an ailment, but you can take a quick shower. Nobody forbids personal hygiene, a warm shower will even help to relieve a little itching. But there are some rules:

• at a shower temperature is prohibited;
• water should be warm, not hot;
• it is forbidden to rub the baby with a washcloth and use soap;
• you can’t wipe the baby with a hard towel - you can accidentally peel off the crusts. It is best to get it wet with a soft sheet or towel;
• if the doctor didn’t allow water procedures, that’s what you need, because he treats chickenpox in children and knows better what can and cannot be done.

Very often, such drugs as Suprastin, Diazolin, Fenkarol and others are prescribed to relieve itching. But they cannot be treated independently, the drugs are taken as prescribed by the doctor.

How and how to handle rashes

You already know that the most common symptom of chickenpox in children is a rash. Previously, it was treated with brilliant green, it helped to dry the rashes, and it was clear where new acne appeared. Of course, there is nothing wrong with brilliant green except its terrible color, which makes the baby look like a frog. But if the child is small and has nothing against brilliant green - treat it with this rash preparation. You need to smear acne once with a cotton swab. After that, put on your child such a pajamas or T-shirt, which is not a pity to stain with green.

We process pimples with brilliant green.

If you do not want to use this tool, you can safely use other antiseptic drugs. There are a variety of chickenpox lotions. If you are interested in learning how to treat chickenpox with such drugs in children, and which one is best to buy, then you can buy Kalamin lotion in the pharmacy that will dry pimples, relieve itching and have a cooling effect.

Treatment of chickenpox in infants

You already know that in children under one year old chickenpox occurs unexpectedly and develops very quickly. First of all, you need to call a doctor who will prescribe a drug for allergies, it will reduce itching and alleviate the condition of the crumbs. If the baby has a high temperature - it is reduced by conventional drugs in the form of antipyretic suppositories and syrups. It can be Nurofen or Panadol. Rashes are smeared with brilliant green, fucorcin or other drugs that the local pediatrician will advise.

About bathing: at a temperature you can’t bathe a baby, but if it’s normal, you can bathe a baby, just don’t rub your pimples and use soap.

General rules for the treatment of chickenpox

Treatment of chickenpox is carried out at home, the exception is a very serious form of the disease and then the baby is placed in a hospital. You already know how chickenpox looks in children and it does not require special therapy. But to strengthen weakened childhood immunity, you must follow these simple rules:

• take short walks with your child. You can walk after stabilization of the baby's condition, and you see that things are on the mend. Dress him so that he doesn’t sweat, in winter it’s enough to walk for twenty minutes, in summer it is advisable to walk more, but do not drive your child in direct sunlight. Do not let him contact other children so that he does not infect them;
• fluid intake. During chickenpox, give your child plenty to drink. Non acidic natural juices diluted with water, herbal decoctions and teas are best suited;
• proper nutrition. Symptoms of chickenpox in children are such that they can refuse food, especially at high temperatures. Do not force him to eat violently during his illness, offer the baby a light snack and give him what he loves the most. But this does not mean that the baby should literally be “filled up” with sweets and cakes. Eliminate salted, seasoned and spicy foods, as well as sour and smoked foods.

It is advisable to give the child milk porridge and broth. Useful and lean fish. From fruits, avocados and bananas are suitable.

Are chickenpox vaccinations needed

The vaccine against chickenpox for children appeared a few years ago and it is proposed to be given to children from a year old who have not previously had this disease. The vaccine consists of live attenuated pathogens. The first time a child is vaccinated in 12-14 months, and after three years or five years, a vaccination against chickenpox is possible for children. In adolescence and adults in the absence of natural immunity, you need to get vaccinated twice, the interval between vaccinations is at least one month.

Some mothers are very worried about this and believe that such a vaccination will only bring harm to their baby. But this is not true, most of the children tolerate vaccinations very well and they do not notice any adverse reactions. But if the child is often sick, you need to consult a pediatrician about vaccination, since weak children are more likely to be negatively affected by side effects after vaccination.

So you learned how chickenpox begins in children, how it proceeds and how to treat it. As you can see, some complicated treatment is not required here, the most important thing is not to let the baby comb the rashes and give the sick child as much attention and care as possible.

This material is for informational purposes only, before using the information provided it is necessary to consult with a specialist.

Chickenpox (or colloquially chickenpox) is an infectious disease caused by one of the herpetic viruses (3 types). Refers to common childhood infections with high contagiousness (high infection rate).

Many consider the disease not a dangerous pathology, which everyone at an early age tolerates easily and without consequences. This is partly true, but there are severe forms when chickenpox causes complications. We will consider the main symptoms and methods of treating chickenpox, a photo of typical skin manifestations.

Causes of the disease

The causative agent of chickenpox is well known. This is a virus from the herpetic family - Varicella Zoster, belonging to type 3 according to the classification of herpes virus infections. It quickly spreads through the air, which was the reason to give such a name to the pathology.

Methods of infection are determined by the property of the pathogen - high volatility. Penetration into the body usually occurs through the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx (airborne transmission):

• In a normal conversation;
• Coughing and sneezing;
• Through kisses (so a sick baby often infects parents);
• Contact method through hands and general objects (toys, personal hygiene products);
• Intrauterine infection of the fetus from an ill mother (transplacental way).

Chicken pox is considered a disease with a 100% chance of infection. If a person comes into contact with a sick person and does not have a specific immunity, he is sure to become infected himself. Since the virus begins to be released into the environment two days before the first characteristic rashes, it is almost impossible to prevent infection.

The incubation period of the disease

The incubation period is the time when the pathogen is already in the body, but does not cause characteristic symptoms. The virus is released into the environment, there is an infection of others, but measures to isolate and treat the patient have not yet been taken.

It is believed that the incubation period of chickenpox lasts from 10 to 21 days. In children, it averages 14 days. The following processes develop in the body:

• The initial stage - after infection, the pathogen adapts to the body.
• Stage of development - the virus multiplies and accumulates in the focus of infection, begins to spread throughout all systems.
• Stage of completion of the incubation period - the pathogen is present in the blood, the immune system begins to produce specific antibodies. At the end of this phase, the first clinical manifestations appear.

All this time, the child feels well, but already infects others. The longer the incubation period, the greater the number of cases appears around the primary source of infection.

Symptoms

The onset of the disease is most often acute. On the eve, a slight malaise is felt - weakness, decreased appetite. Small patients begin to be capricious, refuse food, their sleep-wakefulness regimen is disturbed.

After the virus enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, signs of the disease appear. The following are typical symptoms of chickenpox:

• Temperature . With its increase (up to 38-39 ° C) the disease begins.
• Intoxication. Older children complain of headaches, aching muscles, nausea. Kids become moody, drowsy, refuse food.
• Sore throat. It is explained by the fact that the virus is introduced into the body through the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, causing a slight inflammation there. There is no severe cough and runny nose, as with other acute respiratory viral infections.
• Rash. A characteristic symptom of chickenpox. Appears immediately or 1-2 days after the temperature rises.
• Wavy onset of symptoms. This is a typical sign of chickenpox, which allows you to differentiate it from other childhood infections. Over the entire period of the disease there are several "rashes", which are accompanied by a new increase in temperature.

The entire course of the disease can be divided into three stages: the initial (there are symptoms of intoxication, fever, but not yet a rash), the stage of rashes (high, when the diagnosis is no longer in doubt), the resolution stage (the immune system coped with the pathogen, the temperature returned to normal, skin manifestations undergo reverse development and disappear).

The initial stage of chickenpox

It is quite easy to distinguish chickenpox from other infectious diseases accompanied by a rash. To do this, you need to see the typical rashes on the child’s body once and know what stages they go through. A rash appears almost immediately and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature to high numbers.

The photo shows the elements of a rash on the skin of a child with a typical course of the disease. They have this appearance from two to seven days. Then there is a gradual disappearance without any trace.

• Initially, red spots are visible on the edematous skin. Skin manifestations begin from the torso, then spread to the arms and legs, last but not least to the face and head.
• After a few hours, a bubble filled with a clear liquid forms at the spot. It has the largest accumulation of the virus. At the stage of resolution, the bubble (papule) bursts, a crust forms, which then dries and falls off.
• The initial stage is accompanied by severe itching, which leads to combing of the skin and infection by bacteria.
• Characteristic for herpetic infection (including chickenpox) is the appearance of a rash on the mucous membranes. Herpetic stomatitis occurs, which also allows us to differentiate this pathology from other infections.

The entire rash period takes about three weeks. But the acute initial stage, which causes the main trouble to the child and his parents, is no more than a week.

Symptomatic treatment

Usually, the disease in childhood is easy, therefore, hospital treatment is not required. Specific antiherpetic drugs are not used. The mild severity of the process is well tolerated by the child, and there are a lot of side effects from specific drugs.

We will talk about the general principles used in the treatment of chickenpox, which can alleviate the patient's condition and prevent the development of some complications:

• Compliance. For all viral infections, this principle is considered fundamental. The body needs a little help, and he will cope with the pathogen. To do this, it is recommended to observe bed rest, sleep more, do not overwork.
• Drink plenty. The more liquid a small patient drinks, the faster toxins are eliminated, and the general condition normalizes. Traditionally, infected people are given mineral water without gas, fruit drinks, broth of wild rose, sweet tea with lemon. The additional content of vitamin C in drinks helps the immune system fight the pathogen. Do not get involved in juices. Drinking should be warm, but not hot.
• Diet The immune system is closely associated with intestinal microflora and normal digestion. For all infectious diseases, a sparing diet is recommended: the predominance of dairy products (a source of protein) and fruits with vegetables (a source of vitamins and minerals). It’s not worth straining the body by digesting heavy foods (fried, fatty, fast food).
• Local treatment. Kids often comb itchy pimples, so they are treated with disinfectant solutions to prevent the layering of a bacterial infection. Traditionally, zelenka is used for this. Some parents mistakenly believe that this is the treatment for chickenpox. In fact, the disease cannot be cured in this way. But the contrasting color of brilliant green allows you to immediately identify new rashes, which are a sign of the continuation of the acute phase of the process.
• Antipyretic. Use only at high temperature (above 38.5 ° C). In children prone to seizures, the temperature is reduced from 38.0 ° C. In pharmacies, there are many children's preparations based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. They are given to babies in the form of syrup, to older ones - in tablets. Very rarely, a fever above 39.5 ° C requires emergency administration of a lytic mixture (analgin, papaverine, suprastin). The dosage is calculated by the ambulance doctor depending on age.
• The fight against itching. It is this symptom that causes the greatest trouble to the sick person. Little ones cannot sleep, are naughty, lose their appetite. To relieve itching, local methods are used (treatment with special lotions with menthol, baths and lotions with cold water). Systemic antihistamines (Suprastin, Fenistil, Zodak) are prescribed only for generalized itching, since their use can cause encephalopathy and other undesirable reactions.
• Hygiene You need to change clothes daily, wash your hands more often, and cut your nails briefly. This helps prevent infection of the rashes.

Treatment is continued until the body temperature is normalized, new rashes cease to appear and the old elements of the rash are covered with crusts. This means the pathogen is inactive. The child will forever remain the carrier of the herpetic virus of the third type, but ceases to be infectious and can communicate with peers.

Possible complications

Complications of chickenpox are much less common in children than in adults. But they must be remembered, since many pose a serious danger to life. The reason for this development of the process is a reduced immunity, which “passes” the virus deep into the body and explains the attachment of a secondary infection of many organs.

At the first signs of a "worsening" of the disease (a new wave of intoxication, severe lethargy, prolonged fever, drowsiness), an urgent need to call a doctor. Complicated forms of the disease are treated only in a hospital. These include:

• Bacterial infections. Occur with a frequency of 5%. The causative agents are bacteria of the streptococcus and staphylococcus group. The forms are the most diverse: skin abscesses, lymphadenitis, pneumonia, arthritis, osteomyelitis, bacterial sepsis. Redness of the base of the vesicles and a new rise in temperature after a sufficiently long (3-4 days) normal health of the baby are the harbingers of the addition of a bacterial infection.
• Encephalitis and Cerebellar Ataxia. Caused by the penetration of the virus through the blood-brain barrier and the defeat of certain parts of the brain. They occur more often before the age of 5 years. The first signs of meningoencephalitis are stiff neck, confusion, cramps. The child looks inhibited, constantly sleeping. With damage to the cerebellum, a shaky gait occurs, speech impairment.
• Pneumonia Viral herpetic lung disease is the most common cause of death in this infection. Symptoms: excruciating cough, shortness of breath, blueness of the skin, chest pain. It is characteristic of patients under 3 years old. Symptoms develop 1 to 6 days after the rash appears.

The list of complications is much wider: bleeding disorders (purpura, hemorrhagic vesicles, gastrointestinal bleeding), nephritis, pancreatitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, myocarditis, pericarditis, orchitis (inflammation of the testicles in boys).

Preventive measures

Prevention is the prevention of the onset and spread of the disease. For all childhood infections, there is a clear action algorithm that avoids new infections.

The only way not to get chickenpox is to get vaccinated. Vaccination against herpes simplex virus type 3 is optional. It is done to kids older than a year, provided that they have not had chickenpox before. Other preventative measures:

• A sick baby is necessarily immediately isolated from others. This is usually done at home. He is not allowed to walk and receive guests. This mode is removed five days after the appearance of the last rash.
• Children who did not suffer from chickenpox, but communicated with the patient, are isolated from 10 to 21 days from the moment of contact.
• After placing the patient in a separate room, the remaining rooms are well ventilated, wet cleaning is carried out. The virus quickly dies under the influence of sunlight and fresh air.
• A sick baby is given separate dishes, towels and other hygiene products.
• Caregivers should wear cotton-gauze dressings.
• The dishes of the patient are washed separately. Underwear is washed daily by separate washing at high temperature.
• The room is regularly ventilated, if there is the possibility of regular quartzing, then the risk of the spread of the virus is reduced.

Even careful observance of the described measures does not give a 100% guarantee of no infection. Prophylactic administration of various antiviral drugs is not effective. It all depends on the state of one's own immunity, the presence of specific antibodies after a previous illness and vaccination.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Chicken pox is a common disease at an early age. Despite the relatively favorable course, it can cause a lot of trouble. Parents wonder how to overcome this disease faster and without consequences.

We will try to answer traditional questions related to the course of the disease and caring for a sick baby. They will not be able to save him from the herpes virus, but they will make the patient care more clear and simpler:

• Is it possible to wash with chickenpox? Domestic doctors categorically forbid swimming in the acute period of the disease. The contents of the vesicles contain the herpes virus. During bathing, they often burst, the virus spreads through the body with the appearance of new rashes.
• Is it possible to get chickenpox a second time? Yes, in very rare cases. The herpes virus, once penetrated into the body, remains in it for life. The place of his “basing” is the neurons of the spinal ganglia. With a significant decrease in immunity, the pathogen can again enter the bloodstream (usually this happens in old age, when the developed antibodies lose their protective titer, or in cancer, which are treated with cytostatics or radiation therapy).
• How to smear chickenpox except green? It is possible to process elements of rashes with any disinfectant solutions. It is better if they stand out against the background of the skin. This is a concentrated potassium permanganate solution, tea tree oil, Tsindol preparation, Fukartsin solution (has pink color), salicylic alcohol, Fenistil cream (colorless, but it relieves itching).
• How long does chickenpox last? It depends on the immunity of the child. On average, the acute period of the disease lasts 7 days. Rashes in the form of crusts persist for several weeks. The patient is contagious within 5 days after the last rash.
• Is it possible to vaccinate a child from chickenpox? You can vaccinate over the age of 1 year, if previously he was not sick. This is the only guaranteed method to avoid infection. In this case, all the principles of vaccine prophylaxis must be observed.
• Is it possible to walk outside with chickenpox? You can walk only after quarantine ends. Otherwise, the patient will spread the infection among all people in contact with him.

Chickenpox, although it refers to mild infections, requires the obligatory consultation of a pediatrician. If parents still have questions, they can be asked by your doctor.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky on the treatment of chickenpox

Dr. Komarovsky is a well-known pediatrician who in an accessible way explains the most complex medical problems. He dedicated a whole program to chickenpox. We suggest watching this video in full. After it, you will not have unexplained questions about this common disease.

Dr. Komarovsky gives very valuable practical advice: be sure to relieve itching with various local creams and ointments, never use aspirin to lower the temperature, and avoid excessive sweating (the temperature in the room should be cool, the baby should not be wrapped). This video is required for viewing by parents. After it, they will know all the symptoms of chickenpox and the methods of its treatment.

Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterized by the appearance of watery vesicles. It provokes herpes virus. The disease is contagious, transmitted by airborne droplets.

Most people have chickenpox from 3 to 12 years old. At an older age, chickenpox is very difficult to carry: body temperature in the acute period of the disease is 39 degrees or higher, the risk of complications is high. For this reason, many parents deliberately take their children to the company of chickenpox cases to protect the child from possible complications at an older age.

As a rule, infection occurs only within 2 days before the appearance of vesicles, as well as within the first 5 days from the beginning of the rash. On average, a child’s chickenpox quarantine lasts about 20 days.

Why is it important not to miss the onset of the disease?

  Stages of Rash Development

If you are sure that your child has had contact with a chickenpox patient, be on the lookout for it, as infection of the child is inevitable. The incubation period is from 11 to 25 days.

Most often, it takes about two weeks before the onset of the first signs of the disease.

During this period of time, there are no changes in health, no symptoms. If possible, protect your child from visiting public places. If a child is under the age of one in the house, contact with the sick should be avoided if possible.

Children under one year old suffer the disease severely, serious complications may develop, in which vital organs suffer. For this reason, it is very important to know the first signs of chickenpox in a child.

As soon as the symptoms of chickenpox make themselves felt, provide the patient with separate dishes, as well as bedding and personal hygiene products. Many doctors believe that there is no need to isolate the patient from other children. Children at a younger age tolerate the disease much easier.

The ideal time for chickenpox is considered to be an age of 3 to 6 years. Fortunately, after suffering chickenpox, the risk of re-developing the disease is excluded, as the body develops a stable immunity to this infection.

The first signs of chickenpox in children

The first symptoms of the disease are often confused with the usual acute respiratory disease, and the appearance of spots and vesicles with an allergic reaction (urticaria).

  Visual change in chickenpox rash

To recognize chickenpox on time, each parent must know how the rash begins, as well as the characteristics of the disease:

The period of the disease	Characteristic
First day	The child complains of a general malaise: weakness, drowsiness, aching joints. The child refuses food and is constantly acting up. No other signs are observed.
The rash appears on average 2 days after the onset of the disease	When a rash appears, parents wonder where the chickenpox begins. In fact, the course of the disease is individual. In most cases, small pinkish dots appear on the face or head of a child, which rapidly change in size and spread throughout the body. Rashes can begin with legs and arms, especially in a child. This happens quite rarely, but still this feature cannot be ruled out. In the photo below you can see the various localizations of the rash:
A day later	Rashes spread throughout the body, specks become like a drop of water. Usually during this period, the child is concerned about high body temperature and severe itching.
Next few days	For several days, the bubbles continue to spread throughout the body.   After 3-4 days, the liquid in the bubbles begins to darken, and the bubbles burst.
	Further, the liquid flows out and gradually dries. A small crust forms at the site of the bubble, which cannot be torn off by yourself. After a few more days, the crusts disappear on their own and leave no trace on the skin.

Chickenpox in children lasts approximately 20 days. It is very important that the child does not comb the bubbles. In case of violation of the membrane, there is a high risk of infection in the wound. In this case, a scar remains on the skin, which remains for life.

In general, the course of the disease at different ages is practically the same. The only difference is the duration of chickenpox.

• Young children tolerate the disease much faster than adolescents.
• Children over 12 years old can carry chickenpox in severe form. In addition to rashes with fever, the child may be disturbed by nausea and vomiting.

How does chickenpox begin in children: photo

Initially, the rash is easily confused with allergies.

  Photo: The first signs of a rash

In the photos below, you will see how chickenpox begins in children and how the disease develops.

  Posted by: Rachael Jess

Komarovsky about how chickenpox begins

Doctor Komarovsky believes that every child should have chickenpox up to 12 years old, so as not to torment him at an older age. At this time, the disease is transmitted without complications in a milder form.

Komarovsky argues that the appearance of watery vesicles on the body is not always chickenpox. In some cases, an allergic reaction manifests itself in this way. The main indicator is an increase in body temperature, which can rise up to 39 degrees.

In some cases, the temperature fluctuates at subfebral marks (37.0-37.4).

What to do at the first sign of chickenpox in a child?

Komarovsky recommends contacting your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. He also believes that treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, self-medication with “green” is not the best option for children, because today there are many medications that will alleviate the suffering of the patient.

Parents experience

Based on the reviews of mothers, we can conclude that the first signs of a chickenpox beginning are bubble rashes on the body. Body temperature rises only 3-4 days after the rash.

But the opinions of parents differ, as some argue that the development of chickenpox began precisely with an elevated body temperature. 90% of mothers noted that rashes began with the face and scalp.

Chickenpox, well known to everyone under the name chickenpox, belongs to the group of highly contagious infectious diseases and affects mainly children under the age of 12 years. Relapses of the disease are unlikely, because with initial contact with its pathogen, antibodies are produced in the body that circulate in the blood throughout life. Specific antiviral treatment for chickenpox in a child in most cases is not required. All therapeutic measures taken are aimed only at alleviating the patient's condition and preventing complications.

Content:

Causative agent of the disease

The causative agent of chickenpox is the Varicella zoster virus, belonging to the family Herpesviridae (herpes). It is unstable in the environment and outside the human body is able to last only about 10 minutes, since it dies under the influence of high temperature, light and ultraviolet rays. Despite this, chickenpox virus is very easily transmitted from one person to another, due to its ability to quickly move with air currents hundreds of meters. The likelihood of chickenpox in people who have not had it before and who have not been vaccinated is 100%.

After chickenpox, the virus remains inactive for life in the human body, localized in the spinal ganglia, cranial nerves associated with the skin areas that were most affected during the initial infection. With a significant weakening of immunity, oncological diseases, nervous stress, blood diseases and other adverse factors in people of mature age, it can re-activate, causing herpes zoster (lichen).

Infection pathways

From sick children to healthy chickenpox is transmitted only by airborne droplets. The virus enters the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, mouth and eyes during a conversation, when coughing, sneezing, kissing. The source of infection is people who have chickenpox or herpes zoster, about 1-2 days before a characteristic rash appears on the skin and another 5 days after the last rash appears. The transmission of the disease is also carried out through the placenta from the expectant mother, with chickenpox or herpes zoster, to the fetus.

The high-risk group for chickenpox includes children attending kindergartens and younger students who are constantly in the team. Most often, cases of chickenpox in kindergartens and schools are recorded in late autumn, winter and early spring.

Important:  For babies up to 6 months old, whose mothers had chickenpox in childhood, the virus, as a rule, is not dangerous, since the antibodies to it that are still loyal to the mother through the placenta are still stored in their blood. After chickenpox, 97% of people develop lifelong immunity, so re-infection is rare.

Video: E. Malysheva on chickenpox in children. How to recognize and alleviate the condition

Incubation period

Chickenpox is characterized by a long incubation period. After contact with the source of infection, it takes from 7 to 21 days (usually 14 days) before the clinical signs characteristic of this disease appear.

Once in the body, chickenpox virus is first fixed on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, begins to adapt and multiply. During the incubation period, there are no signs of the disease, the child is not contagious to others. When the virus accumulates in sufficient volume, it overcomes the local immunity of the mucous membranes and begins to penetrate the blood.

When a certain concentration of viral particles is reached in the blood, a response of the immune system is triggered, which may be accompanied by a rise in body temperature, headache, and weakness. This condition lasts 1-2 days and is called the prodromal period, after which skin rashes characteristic of this disease already appear. In children, the symptoms of chickenpox of this period are often mild or nonexistent.

Symptoms of chickenpox

The clinical picture of chickenpox, which occurs at the end of the incubation period of the virus, is characterized by a sharp and rapid development. First, children may experience:

• weakness, drowsiness;
• an increase in body temperature to about 38-40 ° C;
• moodiness, irritability;
• headache.

Subsequently or simultaneously with the listed symptoms, a rash appears. Sometimes there is an increase in the size of the lymph nodes.

Rashes with chickenpox are first reddish-pink spots (macula), somewhat reminiscent of mosquito bites, with a diameter of 2-5 mm with uneven edges. After a while, they fill with a yellowish liquid, begin to itch strongly, cause discomfort and anxiety in children. The liquid inside the bubbles is transparent, on the second day it becomes cloudy.

After 1-2 days after this, the bubbles burst spontaneously, the liquid flows out, they dry out, become crusty and gradually heal. At the end of the healing process (after about 1-2 weeks), the crust disappears, leaving a slight pigmentation on the skin, which subsequently disappears. If the child combs his wounds or prematurely peels off the crusts, scars and scars remain in the skin in the form of small indentations or craters.

Rashes with chickenpox can be not only on the skin, but also on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, conjunctiva of the eyes, and on the external genitalia. Usually they first appear on the face, scalp, shoulders, back and stomach, and then spread to the upper and lower extremities, while on the palms and feet are most often absent.

New elements of the rash with chickenpox appear every 1-2 days, so a couple of days after the onset of the disease on the skin of children, their different stages can be found simultaneously: nodules, vesicles and crusts. Each wave of rashes is accompanied by an increase in body temperature. The number of rash elements for the entire period of the disease can vary from 10 to 800, but on average it is about 200-300 pieces. Sometimes chickenpox occurs without rashes or with a minimal amount of them (up to 10 pieces).

After the cessation of the appearance of new rashes and a decrease in the severity of other symptoms of chickenpox in a child, the disease subsides, and the recovery period begins.

Chickenpox forms

Typical and atypical forms of chickenpox are distinguished depending on the type of clinical picture. A typical form by the nature of the flow is:

1. Easy. The child's condition is satisfactory, the temperature remains within normal limits or does not rise above 38 ° C, the duration of the rash period is 4 days, the rashes are few.
2. Moderate Slight intoxication (headache, weakness, drowsiness), temperature rises above 38 ° C, rashes are plentiful, appear within 5 days.
3. Heavy. General intoxication of the body (nausea, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite), the temperature rises to 40 ° C, the rash period is 9 days, they almost completely cover the patient's skin, and are also present on the mucous membranes, the elements of the rash can merge with each other.

Atypical forms of chickenpox are divided into rudimentary and aggravated. The rudimentary form is characterized by a mild course, single rashes, normal or subfebrile body temperature. The engraved form is characterized by a very intensely expressed clinical picture of the disease. It includes visceral, gangrenous and hemorrhagic forms, the treatment of which is carried out in a hospital.

With the hemorrhagic form of the disease, the patient has a high temperature, severe intoxication, damage to internal organs, blood appears in the vesicles, they bleed. There is hematuria, hemorrhages in the skin and fiber, mucous membranes and internal organs.

The visceral form of chickenpox is predominantly detected in premature infants, newborns, and in children with immunodeficiency. It is characterized by prolonged intoxication, heavy rashes, severe fever, damage to the nervous system and internal organs (kidneys, lungs, liver, heart).

The gangrenous form is extremely rarely diagnosed, mainly in patients with immunodeficiency. Pronounced intoxication is observed. Bubbles with this form are large, quickly crust with a zone of tissue necrosis. When the crust falls off, deep, very slowly healing ulcers appear on the skin.

Treatment of chickenpox in children

In most cases, chickenpox in children passes by itself in 7-10 days. It is most easily tolerated by children aged 1 to 7 years. For treatment, drugs are used to eliminate or reduce the severity of the main symptoms: temperature, rash and itching. Special antiviral or immunostimulating therapy is used only for moderate and severe forms of the disease.

With chickenpox, it is very important to prevent suppuration of the vesicles caused by the ingestion of a bacterial infection in them. To do this, parents should carefully monitor that the children do not touch them and in no case comb them, distracting them in various ways. The baby's nails should be cut short. You can wear lightweight cotton gloves (“scratches”) on pens, and talk with older adults. To reduce itching with chickenpox, pediatricians often prescribe an internal dose or topical antihistamines (fenistil, erius, suprastin, zodak, diazolin) to children.

The following antiseptic disinfectants are used to prevent infection of the vesicles:

• 1% alcohol solution of brilliant green (green);
• castellani liquid;
• aqueous solution of fucorcin;
• aqueous solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).

When processing elements of the rash with green, despite all its shortcomings, you can easily and quickly determine when new rashes cease to appear.

With chickenpox, especially if the disease happened in the summer, to prevent a secondary skin infection, it is necessary to wash the child once a day, rinse him with boiled water or make short-term cool baths with a solution of potassium permanganate, baking soda or a decoction of chamomile. It is unacceptable to use any detergents (soap, gels, etc.) and rub the skin with a washcloth. After bathing, it is necessary to gently pat the body with a soft towel and treat the wounds with an antiseptic solution.

It is better if the room where the sick child is located is cool in order to prevent overheating and not to provoke profuse sweating. They will only intensify the itching and irritate the elements of the rash, which is especially noted by the famous pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky. During the period of illness, it is recommended to change the child’s bed linen and home clothes daily, especially if he is sweating heavily. Clothing should be made of natural fabrics, light and comfortable so as not to injure the skin.

Of the antipyretic drugs for chickenpox in children, if the temperature rises above 38 ° C, paracetamol or ibuprofen-based products are used. It is strictly contraindicated to give children with chickenpox any medications based on acetylsalicylic acid, as this is fraught with severe liver dysfunction and even death.

During the treatment period, the child is also recommended a home regimen, plenty of water and diet. It is recommended to take children to kindergarten or school no earlier than 1-2 weeks after recovery, since the chickenpox virus temporarily significantly weakens the immune system.

Video: Pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky on the symptoms and methods of treating chickenpox in children

Complications of chickenpox

With proper treatment of the child and personal hygiene, complications from chickenpox are rare in children. One of the most likely complications is suppuration (abscess, impetigo) of the elements of the rash due to the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms into them. Then, the topical treatment of chickenpox is supplemented with the local use of antibacterial ointments, which treat inflamed wounds.

More serious complications can occur in children:

• patients with leukemia or other oncological diseases;
• with congenital pathologies of the immune system;
• HIV infected
• first year of life.

In these cases, atypical forms of chickenpox may occur in children with symptoms of severe intoxication of the body, the development of sepsis, damage to the kidneys, lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, adrenal glands, pancreas. Severe complications of chickenpox are viral pneumonia and inflammation of the meninges (encephalitis and meningoencephalitis), but they are rare.

Important:  It is especially dangerous for unborn children when pregnant women get chickenpox. Chickenpox transferred by a woman before the 20th week of pregnancy leads to the development of chickenpox in the newborn. An infant can be born with underdeveloped extremities, rudimentary fingers, short stature, malformations of the eyes, and disorders of the nervous system.

It is very dangerous for a child to become infected with chickenpox virus at the very end of pregnancy (4-5 days before giving birth), during childbirth or within 5 days after giving birth, since he does not manage to get enough antibodies from his mother to fight the infection. In newborns and children under 3 months of age, the disease passes in severe form with the development of pathologies of vital organs and the nervous system.

Preventive measures

For the prevention of chickenpox or its complications, vaccination (the introduction of a weakened live virus) or the introduction of immunoglobulins (antibodies specific to the Varicella zoster virus) can be used.

Vaccination is recommended for children after one year. It protects the body from chickenpox for 10 years or longer. Although sometimes vaccinated people can still get chickenpox, it will already proceed in a mild form. The introduction of vaccines (Okavax, Varivax and Varilrix preparations) is especially important for women planning a pregnancy if they have not had chickenpox before. With their help, you can also carry out emergency prevention of chickenpox, if there has been contact with the carrier of infection. To prevent the development of the disease, the vaccine must be administered within 48–72 hours after contact with the carrier of the infection.

The introduction of anti-chickenpox immunoglobulin (the drug "Zostevir") is important for people who have contact with patients with chickenpox or herpes zoster, who are highly likely to develop serious complications in case of chickenpox. Such people include pregnant women, children with cancer, HIV-infected, who underwent organ transplantation, children with severe chronic systemic diseases, premature babies weighing up to 1 kg, newborns whose mothers did not have chickenpox.