A disease that comes with red spots all over the child's body and often causes itching. If you thought of chicken pox, that's correct. The disease is very common, and if you didn't have it in childhood, you certainly met someone who got infected and got all dab. Although benign, chickenpox is very annoying and highly transmissible.
The pediatrician of the Scientific Department of Infectious Diseases of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), Paulo César Guimarães, explains that chicken pox is an infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZ). This is why the disease is known scientifically as chickenpox. Reddish marks on the skin are one of the symptoms of chickenpox, but before they appear parents may observe other problems presented by children. "Initially the patient with chicken pox has fever and muscle pain, which can easily be confused with the diagnosis of a flu," warns the pediatrician.
Lesions usually appear first on the scalp and then spread toward the center of the body and may also reach places such as the mucous membranes of the mouth. The pediatrician explains that the lesions have different stages during the disease, they are: the macula; when you have a red dot, the papule; when you can feel this point, the gallbladder; when a small ball is formed, the pustule; when the lesion fills with pus and finally the crust; a shell that forms on top of the lesion.
Treatment, Care and Prevention
The treatment against chicken pox is basically symptomatic, meaning it is intended to combat the symptoms. Itching-reducing substances are used, antiseptic soap to prevent a secondary and antipyretic infection to fight fever. But remember: only a doctor is able to provide the medication allowances. No medicating your child without professional guidance.
But the utmost care should be to protect the child against bacterial contamination of the skin. • Lesions cannot be infected and the mother should keep the child's nails clean at all times to avoid virus contact with the patient's mouth. In this case a major problem such as kidney disease may occur ?, explains the expert.
Because chickenpox is extremely transmissible, prevention happens with careful contact with the infected patient. Transmission is done through the secretions of the lesions or by sneezing and coughing. But be aware, even after dry red marks can still spread the virus. The recommendation in this case is total rest for at least seven days.
The good news is that there is already a vaccine to prevent the disease. It is usually applied to the baby, between 9 and 12 months old. After having the disease, the patient also creates immunity against the virus and hardly ever gets chicken pox again.
Chickenpox is very common in children, but the pediatrician explains that adults are also at risk for chicken pox. "If an adult has never taken the vaccine and has not had the disease he will be predisposed to become infected if he has contact with a chicken pox patient," concludes the pediatrician and infectologist.
Preventing Chicken Pox (April 2024)
- Children and adolescents
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