How many days does chickenpox last in adults. How many days chickenpox spills out. How many days pass - signs of recovery

Unfortunately, chickenpox is increasingly affecting a child's immune system. His temperature rises, a rash and annoying itching appear, the baby becomes moody. How long chickenpox lasts in children depends on its type and the child's immunity. Most often, the infection is moderate.

In children, chickenpox usually occurs with subfebrile or febrile body temperature and ends with recovery without causing serious consequences. On average, babies endure the disease for 1.5-3 weeks, but there are exceptions. The specific duration of the pathology is determined by the characteristics of the immune system.

How many days a child's chickenpox lasts depends on how much time it takes for each stage. Before the first rash occurs, it is very difficult to understand that the child is sick. Parents realize that the baby has chickenpox when the first pimples appear on his body. The disease has 4 periods of development, which will be discussed below.

The duration of chickenpox in children depends on the duration of each period of the disease:

  1. Incubation period. The duration of this stage is from 1.5 to 3 weeks. However, some experts still argue about how long the incubation of the infection can take. There are no symptoms of chickenpox. The child feels as usual. But already at this time, the causative agent of the disease multiplies in the cells of the body. Having reached a certain amount, it provokes the clinical picture of the disease.
  2. Prodromal period. The duration of this stage of chickenpox is several hours. The immune system responds to an infection that spreads throughout the body. The signs of the disease in the prodrome are similar to the clinical picture of ARVI. The child has a slight fever, poor appetite, migraine, general malaise, and sometimes this stage of the disease is asymptomatic.
  3. Active phase. The period of rashes is accompanied by fever up to 38-39 degrees. It is believed that the indicators of the thermometer in the first days of the disease determine the severity of its course. In some babies, chickenpox can last from 10 to 14 days with a small rash. Sometimes HSV type 3 infection lasts more than 14 days. In this case, the child suffers from severe itching. The rash covers almost the entire body. Temperatures often rise to very high levels and can last for about a week. It is important to monitor your baby's health and give him enough water. Fever with chickenpox is recommended to be brought down only if it reaches 38 degrees and above. Otherwise, the healing process may be delayed, since the body will not be able to produce antibodies. The active phase of the disease lasts (usually) from 5 days to 1.5 weeks.
  4. The recovery period. During the recovery period, the crusts disappear, the itching gradually disappears, and antibodies are formed in the blood, as a rule, forever protecting the child from re-infection. Recovery lasts 5-7 days.

Duration of chickenpox depending on its form

There are 2 forms of the course of the disease: typical and atypical. Typical chickenpox occurs in one of the forms described in the table.

The atypical form of chickenpox in children is very rare and has a severe course. At the same time, the temperature lasts up to 14 days. All symptoms of the disease are intense.

The rudimentary form of chickenpox is characterized by the absence or weakness of clinical manifestations. It rarely occurs, while a person may not be aware that he has been ill.

Duration of chickenpox by age

Chickenpox is most easily tolerated in childhood. In babies, it is often mild and lasts a short time. Chickenpox is more severe in adolescents. Their disease is accompanied by profuse rashes, high fever and lasts longer than younger children.

In infants, chickenpox is usually quite severe. Almost the entire body is covered with a rash, the general well-being worsens. The body temperature rises to high numbers. Babies up to six months are extremely rarely infected with HSV type 3, since they have maternal antibodies.

How long does the fever and itch last

On average, the rash goes through a full cycle of formation within 4-12 days from the moment the first spots appear. It has 4 stages: pimples, vesicles, wet wounds and crusts. The cycle is repeated several times, so there are different types of rashes on the patient's body, which should go away over time.

Itching occurs when the vesicles pass into wet wounds. An increase in body temperature is observed even before the rash forms. The severity of the fever is determined by the form of the course of the infection caused by HSV type 3. As a rule, the fever lasts from 3 to 10 days.

The first pimples are transformed into vesicles after 2-5 days, then the cycle is repeated again. Chickenpox ends with the formation of dry crusts, which disappear after a few days. Pigment spots persist for some time. Subject to the rules of hygiene and caring for the baby, the skin returns to normal after 3 weeks from the moment the first pimples form.

The child's well-being begins to improve, and the disease goes away after the rash has finished forming. However, a sick baby poses a danger to others for another 5 days from the moment of the formation of the last vesicles. Until the end of the infectious period, walks should be excluded.

How to get well quickly

If your child has chickenpox, you can help him recover faster. To do this, you need to follow a number of simple rules:

  • adhere to the therapy recommended by the doctor (take antipyretic, anti-allergic, etc. funds);
  • observe bed rest;
  • drink enough non-carbonated liquid (especially vitamin teas, infusions, decoctions and compotes);
  • maintain optimal indicators of air temperature and humidity in the room;
  • observe hygiene requirements (smear bubbles with brilliant green, take a shower in the absence of fever);
  • do not comb the rash;
  • adhere to the correct diet, excluding heavy and unhealthy dishes.

A certificate of temporary disability (sick leave) to one of the parents with chickenpox in a child is usually provided for 10 days. At the request of the baby's mom or dad, it can last up to 14 days.

On average, children carry chickenpox for 2–3 weeks. If the child has additional symptoms or his health worsens, then you need to see a doctor.

Post Views: 937

A disease such as chickenpox is characterized by an acute course, and infection occurs by airborne droplets. In this case, the skin becomes covered with a very itchy rash, and during its treatment, all rashes are treated with an alcoholic solution of brilliant green.

This pathology belongs to childhood infectious diseases, but this does not mean that an adult does not. When considering the clinical course, it is better to transfer it in childhood, because in the elderly, the body tolerates chickenpox more heavily.

How much?

The incubation period is on average the same and for children is 10-23 days... After that, the prodromal period begins, lasting up to 2 days. The period of onset of the rash lasts from 3 to 10 days... After its end, a recovery period begins, lasting 5 days. How many days do you need to be at home: 2-4 weeks.

How many days it will take for children is easier to predict than for older ones. Because various factors can increase the duration of the incubation period, and the course is unpredictable and depends on the state of the immune system.

Infection routes


Airborne transmission of chickenpox

The virus provokes chickenpox - varicella zoster. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, or through constant contact with things or the patient himself. The risk group includes children of preschool and school ages.

Due to the high infectivity after a case of chickenpox, preschool and school institutions can be quarantined, which lasts 2 weeks, that is.

The incubation period is the time from the moment the virus enters the body until the onset of clinical manifestations. How many days chickenpox lasts depends on age and general health.

They can get sick with this disease if they did not suffer this infection in childhood, because in the future a strong immunity to it is formed. But sometimes, perhaps, but only in the case of severe immunodeficiency in humans. And the presence of concomitant diseases causes the frequent development of a serious illness with various complications.

Symptoms in children

The first clinical manifestations begin to appear several days before the appearance of rashes on the skin of the body, and in many ways they resemble the common cold:

  • body temperature rises;
  • aches all over the body;
  • a sore throat;
  • cough;
  • general weakness.

After that, after 2 days, rashes begin to appear on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes, while the appearing bubbles are filled with transparent contents. The appearance of a rash provokes the development of severe itching, which can intensify at night. The rash can be single or multiple on any part of the body.

In severe cases, there is a widespread rash, and on the scalp. The period of appearance of new rashes lasts from 3 to 5 days, after which the bubbles burst. The resulting ulcerative defects are covered with dry crusts, which should not be removed due to the risk of retaining scars after healing.

Signs in adults

The main symptoms do not differ from clinical manifestations in childhood, but the presence of concomitant diseases and disorders of the functioning of the immune system causes the appearance of intoxication of the patient's body:

  • an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees, which is difficult to decrease with medication for 5 days;
  • chills;
  • there is an increase in the size of the lymph nodes - cervical, submandibular, axillary and inguinal;
  • severe malaise and general weakness.

Against this background, a rash begins to appear, which can cover the entire surface of the body, not an exception to the genitals. Bubbles burst 2-6 days after the appearance, after which dry crusts appear at their location.

It is difficult to say exactly how long it lasts, because such patients often have a complicated course. It is characterized by the appearance of edema of the brain tissue, severe cough, a feeling of nausea, which is replaced by vomiting. There is a lack of coordination, muscle cramps, photophobia.

Complicated course in children


This is noted if there is insufficient functional activity of the immune system at the time of infection, or initially the treatment was carried out incorrectly, therefore sometimes it is said that how long does it take for a child illness becomes difficult. In this case, the following complications are noted:

  • acute laryngitis;
  • chicken pox;
  • pneumonia of viral origin;
  • rheumatism;
  • when the virus enters the central nervous system - convulsive syndrome, impaired coordination, encephalitis, meningitis;
  • if the virus enters the internal organs, it is possible that the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs are damaged, which is manifested by the corresponding symptoms.

Complicated course in adults


can last longer than babies

A pronounced immunodeficiency precedes, while the body is unable to fight a viral infection, which causes the development of complications such as:

  • the functioning of internal organs is disrupted;
  • pathological changes in the work of the central nervous system - edema of the brain tissues;
  • possibly damage by the virus to the organs of the endocrine system;
  • from the side of the lungs - inflammation in the upper and lower parts of the broncho-pulmonary system;
  • with liver damage - toxic hepatitis or liver abscess;
  • with kidney damage - nephritis;
  • with damage to the cardiovascular system - myocarditis and thrombophlebitis;
  • with damage to the musculoskeletal system - arthritis, synovitis and myositis.

The course of viral pneumonia with chickenpox is long, accompanied by a cough and general malaise. In some cases, there is a sharp and persistent rise in temperature, severe cough with scanty sputum, in which blood may be present.

This complication necessitates urgent hospitalization and antiviral therapy, while the funds are administered intravenously. Sometimes such pneumonia can proceed without pronounced symptoms, but the addition of a bacterial infection leads to the appearance of symptoms: an increase in temperature, and a dry cough quickly becomes wet, while purulent sputum leaves.

Treatment

With chickenpox, treatment begins with the appointment of antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs. When a rash occurs, patients are prescribed antihistamines to relieve itching.

The use of antiviral drugs for oral administration is effective - zovirax,. Or use them to topically treat an existing rash.

An alcoholic solution of brilliant green is used to dry the rash, while reducing itching and preventing secondary bacterial infection of existing ulcerative defects that form after the bubbles burst.

In this case, it is necessary to process each bubble with brilliant green until they stop appearing. Instead of brilliant green, you can use fukarcin. If it appears, you must immediately consult a doctor.

Prophylaxis

Carrying out preventive measures allows you to increase the body's resistance to infection and to carry out timely vaccination in childhood. Well, if the infection did occur, then the disease will be transferred by the sick child much easier. That is why it is necessary to vaccinate in a timely manner. And without the risk of developing severe somatic complications.

It should be noted that at any age, strong immunity will prevent the development of the disease or it will proceed without pronounced clinical manifestations. And when identifying contact with a patient, it is worth observing your condition.

When determining and having contact with a patient, it is better to come to an appointment with an infectious disease specialist, he will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Early initiation of effective treatment, especially for adults, will avoid the development of symptoms of severe intoxication of the body and complications.

Who said herpes is hard to cure?

  • Are you suffering from itching and burning in the area of ​​the rash?
  • The appearance of blisters does not add to your self-confidence ...
  • And it's somehow embarrassing, especially if you suffer from genital herpes ...
  • For some reason, ointments and medications recommended by doctors are not effective in your case ...
  • In addition, constant relapses have already firmly entered your life ...
  • And now you are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that will help you get rid of herpes!
  • An effective remedy for herpes exists. and find out how Elena Makarenko cured herself of genital herpes in 3 days!

Chickenpox in adults is a disease caused by the herpes virus type III. It is diagnosed in about 10% of cases and is accompanied by a severe course with a high risk of complications. It is important to know how pathology manifests itself in adulthood in order to take the right measures for its therapy.

In the article, we will look at how chickenpox is transmitted, what is the incubation period, the first signs and symptoms in adults, as well as treatment and recommendations for a quick recovery of the body.

Features of the course of chickenpox in adults

Adults rarely get chickenpox, as most of them have had the disease in childhood. But if a person escaped infection in childhood and became infected as an adult, then the disease can be very difficult and give various complications.

The main route of introduction of chickenpox is airborne. The virus is very volatile, and even a single indirect contact with a patient during the period of rashes is enough for infection.

Infection manifests itself in patients in the following cases:

  1. A person in childhood did not suffer from chickenpox.
  2. For a number of reasons, the patient's body does not produce antibodies to the virus.
  3. Contained in the dorsal ganglia in a latent state, Varicella Zoster was activated due to the suppression of the patient's immune system.

Chickenpox in adults has its own characteristics:

  • adults are more difficult to tolerate the disease;
  • intoxication is more pronounced than in children;
  • the temperature rises to 40 degrees and above;
  • the rash appears only on the 2-3 day of illness;
  • the rash is numerous and can cover the entire surface of the face and trunk;
  • in half of adult patients, elements of the rash suppurate, pustules form;
  • at the site of deep inflammation, scars remain - pockmarks;
  • complications occur in 20-30% of patients.

Causes

Chickenpox is caused by infection with the Varicella Zoster virus (HSV-3, or herpes simplex virus type 3). During the incubation period, which lasts 2 weeks, the symptoms of chickenpox in an adult may not be observed.

The virus is capable of causing not only chickenpox, but also another disease with an extremely unpleasant course - shingles (more). This can happen when there is a long-term asymptomatic carriage of Varicella Zoster.

The only possible way of transmission of the chickenpox virus among the adult category of people, however, as well as among children, is by airborne droplets, which becomes possible when coughing, talking and sneezing.

Despite the fact that this virus is highly contagious and easily transmitted by airborne droplets, it does not have a high survival rate outside the human body. After entering the body, it becomes active, and the person becomes contagious a couple of days before the onset of obvious symptoms of the disease - an increase in temperature, rash and itching.

The following factors contribute to the faster spread of the disease:

  • high crowding of people in the room;
  • lack of preventive ventilation and regular wet cleaning;
  • non-observance of the rules of personal hygiene (washing hands with soap after visiting public places).

What is the incubation period?

The incubation period of chickenpox in adults lasts 1.5 - 3 weeks from the moment of infection. During this time, the pathogen is introduced through the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract into the blood and lymph, from where it spreads throughout the body, multiplying rapidly.

Chickenpox is most often affected by those whose immunity is weakened, for example, after a recent serious illness, treatment that suppresses immunity (for example, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy of malignant tumors).

Chickenpox immunity develops after an infection. Post-infectious immunity is believed to provide lifelong protection against infection. However, in some people, repeated cases of chickenpox are recorded, which is associated with a weakened immune defense.

First signs

What are the symptoms and first signs of chickenpox in adults? Chickenpox begins as, with general intoxication:

  • Low temperature. When the above symptoms appear, a slight increase in temperature is also observed. This is the initial stage of the body's resistance to the virus.
  • Movement coordination disorder. Occurs due to headache, fever, malaise.
  • General weakness of the body.
  • Nausea is possible.

The course of the disease is accompanied by a lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, a constant febrile state - the peak of which, characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, occurs on the first day of infection.

Chickenpox in adults is quite difficult and manifests itself in a number of severe symptoms. To avoid the development of complications, it is necessary, when the first signs of pathology appear, to consult a specialist and begin complex therapy.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults, photo

Like any infectious pathology, chickenpox in adults is characterized by the staged development of pathomorphological and clinical manifestations. So, the average duration of the incubation period of the virus is 14 days.

Chickenpox symptoms in adults:

  • In most cases, the disease begins abruptly and acutely. Although people experience some discomfort a few days before.
  • Breaking pains in joints and muscles.
  • The temperature rises and lasts up to 40C, it is accompanied by chills, increased weakness.
  • The patient swollen lymph nodes- behind the ear, inguinal, submandibular and axillary, they become painful on palpation.
  • Undulating course of rashes, which lasts about 10 days.
  • Initially, the skin forms small red spots, which after a few hours turn into watery blisters (papules), turning into vesicles (moist sores). This whole process is accompanied by severe itching in addition to chills and heat. Drying crusts quickly form in place of the vesicles.
  • Profuse skin rashes, mucous membranes cause unbearable itching. A rash can appear in the upper respiratory tract, in the genital area. If an infection gets into a combed wound, the situation becomes complicated, scars or scars may remain.
  • Moreover, during the first week, a new portion of the rash and temperature may appear several times.

In adults, chickenpox is more complex, for example, intoxication is stronger, fever is longer, and there is a high likelihood of suppuration.

When it starts to pour, you need to carefully monitor the number of vesicles, constantly lubricating them with ointment or scratching gel. First, a spot appears, and then a bubble with an aqueous liquid. The top of the pimple is depressed in the center. You cannot rip them off - there is a high probability of aggravating complications.

How chickenpox looks like, a photo in adult patients can reflect: a maculopapular rash with this disease looks very characteristic. It is important to notice the differences in the photo before and after the illness in order to understand how the rash goes away:

Stages Description
Incubation period For chickenpox in an adult, this is the period of time from the moment the virus enters the body until the first signs of the disease appear - it is quite long and lasts up to 3 weeks. At the end of this period, communication and stay in the same room with an infected person becomes dangerous for people who have not previously had chickenpox.
Prodromal period The release of the virus into the blood. Symptoms: fever, deterioration in general condition, weakness, loss of appetite.
Rash period The active phase of the disease, when the virus is localized in the epidermis. Characterized by the appearance of a rash and itching, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature
Crusting period The elements of the rash dry up. The body is actively producing antibodies against the wind, which ensure the binding of the virus and recovery.

Itching with chickenpox in adults, as a rule, is quite intense, so patients scratch the elements of the rash, which provokes the development of intradermal atrophic scars.

How many days does adult chickenpox last?

Towards the end of 2 weeks the blisters will "sit down", dry out and begin to crumble, leaving in their place circles of pale pink skin, sensitive to temperature changes. If chickenpox proceeds with complications, then the treatment period can last 1.5-2 months. Basically, a severe form with subsequent complications is observed in patients with weakened immunity.

Is re-infection possible?

Recurrent chickenpox in adults is possible, especially in immunocompromised people. As a rule, the recurrence of the disease is milder.

Complications

Chickenpox in adults is dangerous to health both in itself and the appearance of serious complications. The resulting scars at the site of the vesicles are a noticeable cosmetic defect in the skin. Chickenpox can cause complications in people at risk. This category includes:

  • pregnant women,
  • smoking people,
  • patients with weak immunity,
  • suffering from chronic lung diseases, except for asthmatics.

The older the person, the more difficult chickenpox can be. Chickenpox in adults is especially dangerous for pregnant women, since chickenpox transferred during the first months of pregnancy can lead to severe pathology or fetal death, and in the last trimester of pregnancy it can contribute to premature birth or the development of congenital chickenpox in a child.

List of possible complications:

  • arthritis;
  • encephalitis;
  • heart disease;
  • impaired renal function;
  • hepatitis;
  • abscess;
  • severe suppuration;
  • damage to the lymphatic system;
  • skin diseases;

In order to avoid consequences from the skin, it is important to ensure thorough personal hygiene, to exclude scratching and ingestion of pyogenic microorganisms in the nodules.

Diagnostics

Which doctor will help? If you have or suspect the development of this disease, you should immediately contact such specialists as an infectious disease specialist and a therapist.

In the presence of characteristic rashes, the diagnosis of chickenpox in an adult is not difficult. In addition to a visual examination by a doctor, the patient additionally donates blood for antibodies to Varicella Zoster. The ratio of indicators allows you to determine the stage of pathology.

An adult infected with chickenpox is already infected at the end of the incubation period

How is chickenpox treated in adults?

Treatment of chickenpox in adults should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor; self-medication is strictly prohibited, since different drugs can be prescribed for different forms of the disease.

Important rules during treatment:

  • observe bed rest;
  • to accelerate the elimination of toxins, increase the amount of fluid consumed. It is best to drink berry fruit drinks, fruit compotes, green and herbal teas with lemon and honey.
  • in severe cases, do not refuse hospitalization;
  • in the acute period, the rash should not be wetted. When the condition is relieved, you can take a warm shower, but at the same time do not steam or rub the skin, so as not to rip off the formed dry crusts.
  • it is very important to observe sanitary and hygienic requirements during illness - constantly change bed linen, clothes, wash hands, process nails in order to prevent the recurrence of rashes.
  • the mouth should be rinsed thoroughly after each meal.
  • do not contact healthy people during the infectious period of the illness.

Preparations for chickenpox

The most important aspect of treatment is pathogenetic and etiotropic therapy. For these purposes, apply:

  • antiviral agents (acyclovir according to the scheme in tablets and topical application);
  • the use of immunomodulators - agents that stimulate the production of endogenous interferons (proteins that have an antiviral effect);
  • Antihistamines. They are necessary to eliminate the symptoms of itching and other manifestations of hypersensitivity. Suprastin and other drugs are prescribed.
  • Antipyretic drugs. Ibuprofen, Panadol.
  • Antibiotics for chickenpox are prescribed if doctors diagnose a secondary infection, such as infection of the pustules.

External treatments

For external treatment of rashes use:

  • Fukortsin.
  • Furacilin.
  • Boric acid.
  • Psylo balm.
  • Lotion Calamine.
  • Brilliant green.
  • Acyclovir ointment.
  • Gel Fenistil.
  • Liniment synthomycin.

When treating a rash, it is very important not to use the same cotton swab for different types of blisters. Otherwise, there is a high probability of infecting unaffected skin areas.

Accordingly, the following question arises, "On what day can you stop the treatment of wounds and how long to smear them?" Rashes should be treated as they appear, and until new ones stop forming. For this period of time, it is necessary to observe bed rest, treat the surface of the hands with an antiseptic, and monitor the cleanliness of bed and underwear.

In cases where all of the above treatment did not bring relief and antibiotics do not bring relief, and the patient begins to have convulsions, vomiting and severe headache (which indicates brain damage), urgent hospitalization is required.

Diet

A chickenpox diet helps to reduce inflammation on the skin. When rashes appear in the oral cavity, the diet has a gentle effect, protecting the mucous membrane from mechanical and chemical irritation

So, what can an adult eat with chickenpox? In the diet of an adult with chickenpox, all dishes should be boiled, stewed or steamed. They should not be salty, too sweet, sour, spicy.

The diet should mainly consist of vegetables, fruits, protein foods and dairy products. Drinking alcoholic beverages and abusing carbohydrate foods with chickenpox is prohibited.

Sample menu for chickenpox:

  1. Breakfast: buckwheat porridge or oatmeal in milk without sugar, boiled egg.
  2. Second breakfast: low-fat cottage cheese and sour cream without sugar, a glass of fermented baked milk or kefir.
  3. Lunch: vegetable puree soup or low-fat, non-concentrated meat broth, boiled fish with vegetables or steamed cutlets.
  4. Afternoon snack: a glass of freshly squeezed vegetable juice two-thirds diluted with water.
  5. Dinner: cottage cheese casserole or kefir, grated green apple, herbal tea with croutons, baked eggplant or zucchini.
  • All dishes are recommended to be boiled or steamed, not fried;
  • Vegetables can be eaten both raw and after heat treatment;
  • With a severe form of the disease, the use of mashed soups, cereals, etc. is allowed, i.e. any liquid meals.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies that will speed up recovery can only be used as an additional therapy to the main treatment. It is not enough to use only the recipes below in the fight against chickenpox, and therefore it will not be possible to replace the therapy prescribed by a doctor.

  1. Blend of olive oil and bergamot essential oil... With this composition, you can lubricate rashes: it relieves inflammation and soothes itching.
  2. If rashes appear even on the oral mucosa, rinsing with a decoction of sage, chamomile, calendula and other medicinal herbs with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are recommended.
  3. For general improvement, it is necessary to make an infusion of parsley leaves and stalks. Pour a tablespoon of herbal collection with boiling water, let stand for a quarter of an hour, drain and cool. Take 50 grams 4 times a day.

Thus, the use of medicines and herbs will lead to an easier transfer of an acute condition and a faster recovery. Herbs will relieve inflammation, and medications will normalize the general condition.

Chickenpox vaccine for an adult

The disease transferred in childhood usually gives persistent lifelong immunity. But for people who did not get sick in childhood, and for those who are at risk of developing severe forms of the disease, there is the possibility of vaccination.

Vaccination is indicated for patients at risk:

  • not previously ill and not vaccinated;
  • suffering;
  • receiving treatment with immunosuppressants, including corticosteroids;
  • awaiting transplant surgery;
  • suffering from severe chronic diseases.

Vaccinations can be urgent. It is carried out in the first three days after contact with a sick person.

In conclusion, we will repeat the main theses:

  • Whether or not to be vaccinated against chickenpox is up to everyone individually.
  • It is advisable to consult a doctor about the presence of indications and contraindications.
  • Those at risk should be vaccinated first.
  • Vaccination protects not only from chickenpox, but also from - the long-term consequences of the transferred disease.
  • With the help of vaccines, you can also carry out emergency prophylaxis after contact with a person with chickenpox.
  • It is advisable to get this vaccine when planning a pregnancy.

Prophylaxis

Prevention of chickenpox in adults is to exclude contact with patients. When an infection appears in the family, the infected should:

  • isolate in a separate room,
  • carry out regular airing and wet cleaning,
  • use a medical mask when communicating,
  • wash your hands more often.

However, the high susceptibility to the virus makes preventive measures ineffective.

The main task in the treatment of chickenpox in adults is not only to eliminate the symptoms and stop the development of the virus, but also to prevent possible complications.

Chickenpox occurs with characteristic manifestations that can have varying degrees of aggression. Both children and adults can get sick with this viral infection. How long does chickenpox last in adults? To answer this question, we need to find out the stages of development of the infection, as well as the forms of the course of the disease.

Disease development

Chickenpox, like many other diseases, is divided into several time periods, each of which has its own characteristics and external manifestations of the infection. There are 4 of them:

Note that information about the virus is entered into the immune memory, like in a notebook, and with the next penetration into the body, the immune system instantly reacts to it and the development of "weapons" begins immediately. It follows from this that the causative agent of the disease simply does not have time to develop to the scale of infection, since it is neutralized by the body's natural defense system very quickly.

All these manifestations are characteristic of chickenpox and appear due to the body's response to infection, and some symptoms arise due to viral damage to the pain receptors of the nervous system. How long does this stage take? As a rule, it is 2-3 days;

Note that a chickenpox rash is often accompanied by severe itching. Scratching the rash is strictly prohibited, as this creates a risk of bacterial infection, which can significantly complicate the course of the disease.

As you may have noted, there is a run-up in the numbers in the duration of the stages of infection, therefore, in order to understand the question: "How long does chickenpox last in an adult?"

Forms of infection

Chickenpox has 3 main (typical) forms:

In fact, chickenpox is absolutely unprincipled by the sex of a person, therefore, the duration of the course of the disease in women and in men is the same.

Based on the above information, we can deduce the average figures. How many days does chickenpox last in an adult? If we take the moment of onset of symptoms as a starting point, then the duration of the disease will be 12-21 days. If we take the actual infection with chickenpox as a starting point, then the duration of the disease will be 26-39 days.

Conclusion

We have sorted out in this article a very important issue concerning the well-known viral infection - chickenpox - how long does chickenpox last in an adult patient. At the first appearance of symptoms, you should not self-medicate, but it is better to seek help from a qualified specialist.

How many have chickenpox? There are a lot of opinions, but we will start in order. This disease is infectious, against which a person has no protection, that is, the chance is 100%.

The duration of the disease depends on many factors, which we will definitely tell you about and give an answer to the question of interest to everyone.

How many have chickenpox

The duration of the disease period depends on the individual characteristics of the human body. For this reason, it is impossible to name the exact time for which the child or will be able to overcome chickenpox.

The duration of the disease is difficult to predict

Incubation period

The spread of the virus occurs by airborne droplets.
The period represents the penetration of the virus into the body, its development and spread. It takes 10 to 20 days. May increase in adults and children with excellent immunity. In those whose immune systems are weakened, it becomes shorter than the specified period.

Duration of the acute phase of chickenpox

The duration of the acute phase is usually variable, since it is influenced by several factors, such as the state of the human immune system, age, and possible complications. The average time for the appearance of rashes throughout the body is about 10-12 days.
during the course of the acute stage, it persists for the first 2-3 days. Gradually, the healing vesicles are immediately replaced by new ones.

Unlike children, in adults, after an acute period, pathologies are more likely to remain.

How many days pass - signs of recovery

The recovery period takes from several days to several weeks. During recovery, they gradually disappear from the skin and. In the absence of adherence to the rules of antiseptic treatment, there is a chance that the blisters will begin to fester, which can prolong the course of chickenpox.

This is what a rash looks like when it recovers.

The beginning of recovery is characterized by the following symptoms.

  1. New rashes stop appearing on the skin.
  2. The crusts that have formed at the sites of the blisters begin to fall off.

The most important factor in the duration of the recovery period is the state of the immune system, since with a weak immune system, treatment will be delayed for a longer period than in a situation where the immune system is working well

How many days do you need to be at home with chickenpox?

As a rule, the virus is contagious in both adults and children, and lasts for two weeks.

Exceptional cases, when you need to stay at home for a longer time, for pregnant women, elderly people and those whose immune system is weakened. Here it is better not to risk and take care.

Individual characteristics such as age, immune status, pregnancy or the occurrence of complications increase. Also, the time spent in isolation from people depends on the forms of the course of the disease.

Chickenpox is divided into three forms:

  1. Mild pathology is a small number of rashes. Also, there are no other symptoms typical for the disease, such as fever, migraines and a constant feeling of weakness.
  2. The average form of the disease is expressed by a rash over the entire surface of the body, requiring external antiseptic treatment. Also, the following symptoms appear: increased body temperature (up to 38 degrees Celsius), headaches, weakness of the body, perhaps a lack of desire to eat, as well as a disorder of the digestive system.
  3. A severe form of pathology is most common among adults who have not had chickenpox in childhood or for those who. This form is a rash that covers the entire body. The consequence of such a large number of pockmarks can be their merger, resulting in an abscess. In addition to feeling unwell, constant itching, which cannot be tolerated, the body temperature rises not to 38 degrees, but to 40. Accordingly, a severe form of chickenpox requires the most careful and long-term treatment.

How many children and adults have chickenpox

The period of the course of the disease and recovery in children and adults is different. Chickenpox is most severe in adults who have never had this disease. No less severe course of pathology in children with weakened immunity.

After a person has suffered from chickenpox, he acquires immunity to this disease for life. The only exception is those who are immunocompromised. If such a problem exists, re-infection with chickenpox may occur.

In children, the disease is easy

In adults, pathology most often proceeds in a severe form, which significantly increases the duration of the course of the disease and recovery. From the moment the initial symptoms appear until the end of the appearance of new pockmarks, as a rule, it takes about two weeks. The unprotected new skin left after pock marks will be very sensitive for a month and a half after the crusts begin to fall off.

In addition to the fact that people older than school age have chickenpox in a severe form, there is a high probability of the appearance of some kind of complications due to a fairly strong reaction of his body, which has arisen due to the already formed immune system.

Chickenpox lasts longer and is more acute in adults.

Most common as a bacterial infection on the affected skin. Serious consequences are also possible in the form of inflammation of the pulmonary sacs, brain damage.

An adult woman during pregnancy can also catch an infection and. In this situation, the situation is complicated by bearing a fetus, since through the connection between the body of the mother and the child, the latter can also get pathology. Quite often, intrauterine defects become a consequence of infection.

Provided that the mother caught the virus in the last stage of pregnancy a few days before the baby is born, it is possible that he will also become infected.

The best age to get chickenpox is the time when the child is already finishing kindergarten or just going to primary school. The older the child, the harder it will be during the illness.

Is it possible to shorten the duration of chickenpox

In order to speed up the healing process, or at least avoid complications, you must strictly follow all the instructions of the attending medical specialist. If you decide to treat your child on your own, then you will be interested in our advice:

  1. Compliance with bed rest during the period of maintaining an elevated body temperature.
  2. Finding home until the last crusts fall off, because even if new blisters no longer appear, the person still appears.
  3. The patient's diet should be made only from food that will not irritate the oral mucosa.
  4. In order to improve the condition, you need to drink plenty of fluids.
  5. Treatment of rashes on the skin with antiseptic agents is an important component of proper treatment.
  6. Taking all the necessary medications prescribed by the doctor is also required.
  7. Provided that the patient's immune system is severely weakened, it will also be necessary to bring the patient's immunity back to normal.
  8. Frequent change of bed linen in the bed where the person with chickenpox sleeps, as well as personal hygiene are necessary procedures.
  9. Avoiding contact with other people is important.
  10. Walking in the fresh air will have a beneficial effect on a person's well-being.

In the most severe cases of the disease, the patient must be hospitalized. The question of where the therapy will take place is decided only by the attending physician.

As you can see, the disease, in the overwhelming majority of cases, is mild and lasts no longer than two weeks. If certain hygiene rules, doctor's prescriptions are not followed, and even - the prolongation of chickenpox and the occurrence of complications is possible.

mob_info