Smallpox in children – symptoms, treatment and course of the disease. How long does smallpox last?

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Smallpox is one of several infectious diseases that are characteristic of childhood. In Poland, about 140 cases are reported every year, most of which affect children up to 9 years of age. Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the VZV virus. Sometimes a single contact with an infected person is enough to develop an infection, and the patient is most contagious 1-2 days before the appearance of the rash, until the last scabs appear.

Smallpox in a child – how does it occur?

Smallpox in children is an infectious disease that is transmitted by a virus Varicella Zoster Virus, most often by droplets. It is also called an air rifle because the virus can also be transmitted by the wind up to several dozen meters. Children usually get infected from other people with smallpox or shingles, and the disease is usually mild. Chickenpox develops in the body for a long time in children, the first symptoms may not appear until three weeks after infection. Skin lesions in the form of vesicles and pimples are characteristic of smallpox.

Breastfed babies are much less likely to suffer from chickenpox, because the baby receives antibodies, which are a natural protection, together with the mother’s milk. The risk of disease increases when the mother has not been ill before and has the necessary antibodies. It should be remembered that chicken pox in children is very contagious, it is enough for a toddler to bring germs from kindergarten and the disease is ready. Although you can get smallpox only once – the virus remains in the body for life and may become active in the form of shingles.

How long does smallpox last?

Smallpox in children lasts for about two weeks.

The incidence of chicken pox

The infectivity of the chickenpox virus is high, up to 90%. in case of direct contact with a sick person. On average, about 140–200 thousand people are registered each year in Poland. cases, with this number only including reported cases. The peak incidence covers a group of children between 4 and 9 years of age.

Smallpox hatching for an average of 10 to 21 days, but in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed children it can last up to 28 days. The sick person infects two days before the appearance of the rash, and also later, within 4-7 days, ie until the eruptions have dried up.

Smallpox in children – symptoms

The incubation period of the varicella virus is 2-3 weeks, and only after this time the first symptoms begin to appear. Belong to them:

1. fever up to 39 degrees C,
2. bad mood,
3. weakness,
4. lack of appetite
5. headaches and muscle aches,
6. a characteristic very itchy rash.

Check your baby’s body temperature with a reliable and convenient thermometer. Choose the thermometer that is right for you from the offer available on Medonet Market. When a child has a high fever, consider ordering a pediatric home visit. A home visit is a safe solution for a child who will avoid the stress of visiting the clinic.

Rash during smallpox

The rash appears on smooth and hairy skin as well as on the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and genitals (they are the most painful). The rash is less likely to appear on the hands and feet. At first, it appears as red spots which quickly turn into bubbles filled with a clear liquid, which then burst and become scabs. They fall off after about eight days, usually leaving no trace behind. The rash appears several times in the course of smallpox, for this reason, various morphological forms of eruptions emerge on the child’s body at a certain point in time.

Also read: The most common diseases of young children – intestine, smallpox, tonsillitis

How should you care for a chickenpox rash?

1. you should not care for skin eruptions with powders, even though they relieve itching at first. After drying, the skin is tightened, which causes pain, and in addition, bacteria may develop, which in turn lead to complications;
2. do not rub the baby’s skin with towels and sponges – dry it gently;
3. bathe the baby in water with potassium permanganate for a few minutes every day;
4. wash your child’s hands often;
5. cut off the baby’s fingernails or wear cotton gloves (especially at night) to avoid scratching the rash and scabs;
6. in the case of eruptions on the genitals – prepare the baby a bath, e.g. with chamomile (it has properties that alleviate persistent itching);
7. be sure to water the baby; however, avoid giving sour tea and drinks when the child has pimples on the face;
8. if your child has pimples in his mouth and eating causes him pain – choose food in the form of mild pulp.

After the treatment of smallpox on the skin is finished, it is worth using Mediskin Medisil Cream, a hypoallergenic regenerating cream for irritation, which has cleansing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, softening, moisturizing and smoothing properties.

Diagnosis and treatment of smallpox in children

The first lesions on the child’s skin should be an indication for a visit to the doctor. Chickenpox is a condition that is easy to diagnose. During the visit, the doctor looks at the patient’s skin changes and distinguishes the symptoms of chickenpox from the symptoms of herpes zoster. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out:

1. isolation of the virus from fluid collected from vesicles,
2. serological tests,
3. tests detecting the genetic material of viruses using the PCR technique.

Treatment of chickenpox is primarily based on giving it to a sick child painkillers and antihistamines to relieve the unpleasant itching. These are usually drugs that contain paracetamol. Sometimes doctors prescribe sedativesthat help you fall asleep and sleep through the night. In the course of chickenpox, the patient should not be given medications containing aspirin, as there is a risk of Reye’s syndrome. In addition, it is not necessary for your child to stay in bed as long as he or she does not have a fever and is not weak.

If the child’s condition does not improve, it is worth being in constant contact with the doctor. Any doubts as to the child’s health can be consulted online today with a pediatrician without leaving home via the halodoctor.pl portal.

Parents should make sure that the child does not scratch the formed bubbles, as excessive scratching them may lead to bacterial superinfection and, consequently, unsightly scars for life. Parents should put on new pajamas after each sweating. It is also worth taking care of the regular change of towels and bed linen. The baby should not be too warm, as this increases the itching of the skin lesions.

The antiviral drug can be acyclovir, which not only relieves unpleasant symptoms, but also shortens the duration of smallpox in children. Usually, treatment with acyclovir is initiated when smallpox is severe in older children. However, routinely this treatment is not recommended for children younger than 12 years of age. If acyclovir is to be used, it should be administered within XNUMX hours of the first symptoms of the disease, otherwise it will not work. It is recommended to lubricate itchy papules with a gentian or an aqueous solution.

After treating chickenpox in patients who had a mild course without complications, there is no need for further medical supervision. On the other hand, patients who suffered severe damage due to chickenpox must still be monitored by a doctor: a neurologist, an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and even a physiotherapist.

Congenital chickenpox in children

Some newborns are at risk of developing congenital chickenpox. The disease may appear in approx. 1–3 percent babies whose mothers contracted chickenpox in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. This situation is dangerous as it can cause birth defects in a child, including cataracts, chorioretinitis, limb deformities, and central nervous system dysfunction (may be microcephaly or hydrocephalus).

The highest risk of fetal damage occurs when the mother suffers from smallpox in the first trimester of pregnancy – the probability is then about 8-10%. In a child with congenital chickenpox after birth, scars on the skin and low birth weight can be additionally observed.

Check it out: Infectious diseases of the mother during pregnancy, affecting the development of the fetus

Complication of smallpox in children

Smallpox in children is usually mild, but complications are possible, most often single or massive bacterial superinfections of scratched skin lesions, leaving ugly scars. Preterm babies, infants, adolescents over the age of 13 or immunocompromised children also have a high risk of developing pneumonia, meningitis and encephalitis, which can even lead to the death of the child. In addition, there is a risk of other complications:

1. rose,
2. contagious lichen,
3. cellulitis,
4. bacterial superinfections,
5. phlegmon,
6. wound scarlet fever,
7. sepsis,
8. necrotizing fasciitis,
9. TTS – streptococcal toxic shock syndrome,
10. staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.

In turn, complications of the central nervous system, in addition to the previously mentioned meningitis and encephalitis, may also include:

1. cranial nerve palsy,
2. syndrome of cerebellar ataxia,
3. Guillain-Barry syndrome,
4. transverse myelitis.

Much less frequent complications include hepatitis, arthritis and myocarditis, as well as thrombocytopenia and tubulointerstitial nephritis.

How to prevent smallpox in children?

So let’s use smallpox infection prophylaxis with vaccinewhich protects against infection or significantly alleviates its course. The smallpox vaccine can also be given within 72 hours to susceptible people who have been in contact with those who have been infected. Smallpox disease gives life-long immunity, but in the case of impaired immunity, the disease may recur in the form of shingles.

Your baby may be given the first dose of the vaccine before they are nine months old. However, after the age of 13, she should receive two doses six weeks apart. Although the smallpox vaccine is highly effective, it will not be included in the mandatory vaccination calendar.

Patients with a chicken person should be kept separate so as not to infect others. Contact persons, who are at high risk of complications of chickenpox, and newborns of sick mothers (just before delivery) are given a specific serum containing protective antibodies.

See also related topics:

1. Shingles in children – causes, symptoms, treatment
2. Smallpox – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Vaccine
3. Smallpox in pregnancy – what is the danger?