What is chickenpox?
Chickenpox is an infectious disease that mainly affects children under 12 years of age. It is a highly contagious pathology that is transmitted by contact (coughing, sneezing, eating, etc.) and presents more aggressively if contracted by adults.
The stages of chickenpox
From the appearance of the first spots, in the common form, chickenpox lasts from 7 to 14 days and the course of the disease is divided into three phases:
- Incubation period and prodromal phase. The incubation period may last from 13 to 17 days, while the prodromal phase, or the time when fever, loss of appetite, cough and general malaise may appear, lasts approximately 48 hours.
- Exanthematous phase. This is the phase where the spots appear: initially flat, in a few hours (6-8) they fill with liquid and in only 24 hours these vesicles will become transparent to opalescent. The appearance of the spots occurs in “waves” and their appearance may be accompanied by more or less intense itching. In addition, in case of complications, the vesicles may become infected and present with pus.
- Remission phase. This is the phase in which the vesicles turn into crusts, which then dry up and fall off, thus establishing the end of the disease. This process can last from 7 to 20 days and leaves scars only if the patient, by scratching, peels off the scabs before they heal completely.
Symptoms of chickenpox
The most obvious symptom of chickenpox is the appearance of red spots, initially flat and then raised, followed by the formation of small blisters. Especially in children, the appearance of the spots may be anticipated or accompanied by fever.
What are the causes of chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by the herpesvirus called Varicella Zoster (VZV) which affects only the human body and is transmitted by contact with the rash, although it could also be spread through the coughing or sneezing of a person with chickenpox, as we could inhale the droplets that are in the air.
Can it be prevented?
Given the easy transmission of chickenpox, the only way to prevent this pathology is through vaccination. For children born after 2015, it is free and it is mandatory to enroll in school.
Chickenpox treatments
In most cases, chickenpox heals spontaneously within a few weeks. Complications, in fact, arise only if the patient suffers from low immune defenses (caused, for example, by chemotherapy, intake of immunosuppressants or cortisone and in HIV-infected subjects).
Possible complications
Although chickenpox is a mild disease, in certain cases, it can become serious and cause complications such as:
- Bacterial infections in the tissues, bones, blood or joints.
- Dehydration.
- Pneumonia.
- Encephalitis.
- Toxic shock syndrome.
- Reye’s syndrome in children taking aspirin with chickenpox.
- Death.
Which specialist to contact?
In the case of chickenpox contracted by children and adolescents, it is necessary to contact the pediatrician.