Smallpox chickenpox

Smallpox chickenpox is an acute viral disease with airborne droplet transmission, which occurs mainly in childhood and is characterized by a febrile condition, papuloveziculosis rash, and benign course.

Etiology, pathogenesis. The causative agent of chickenpox refers to the viruses of the herpes group, is unstable in the external environment. Penetrates into the body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. After the incubation period, there is viremia; The virus is fixed in the epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes, causing a characteristic rash. The causative agent can persist in the body; As a result of various provoking factors, it is activated and causes local skin rashes - shingles.

Symptoms, course. The incubation period lasts an average of 14 days (from 11 to 21 days). The onset of the disease is acute - with an increase in body temperature; Almost simultaneously on the skin of the whole body there is a rash, the elements of which at first look like small papules, then quickly turn into vesicles; After 1-3 days they dry up, forming superficial crusts. Pour new elements; Due to their non-simultaneous ripening, the rash is characterized by polymorphism. Weakened children have a very rare form - a generalized chickenpox infection with a lesion of the visceral organs, which can result in the death of the patient. The emergence of this form can contribute to the treatment of corticosteroids and cytostatic drugs.

Complications are rare: abscesses, phlegmon, pneumonia, encephalitis.

The diagnosis is not particularly difficult. If necessary, laboratory methods (virusoscopy, DSC, neutralization reaction) can be used. If there is a need to differentiate from a smallpox, the following should be considered: in case of a smallpox, the initial period is accompanied by a high fever and severe pain in the sacrum; At the beginning of the rash, which falls on the 4th day of the disease, there is a decrease, not a rise in body temperature; The elements of the rash are in the same stage of development (rash monomorphism), have a significant density and are located in the thickness of the skin, on the infiltrated base; Pockmarks are multi-chambered, so they do not fall off when punctured, they have an umbilical impression. Data of epidemiological anamnesis and laboratory studies are of great importance for differential diagnosis.

Treatment. Hygienic maintenance of the patient, prevention of secondary infection. Vesicles are lubricated with 1-2% solution of potassium permanganate, 1% with brilliant green solution; Apply indifferent ointments. The prognosis is favorable.

Prevention. The patient is to be isolated at home until the 5th day after the appearance of the last element of the rash. Disinfection is not carried out. Children under the age of 3 years who were in contact with a sick chicken pox and who had not been sick with it before, are separated from the 11th to the 21st day, counting from the moment of contact.