Chickenpox is characterized by fever, muscle aches, and disseminated vesicular eruptions (which evolve into scabs) accompanied by intense, constantly present itching. It is very easily transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route or, less frequently, through direct contact with skin lesions.
When first contracted in adulthood, chickenpox often causes particularly intense symptoms. The skin rash is more extensive and complications related to bacterial superinfection of the vesicles (cellulitis or, rarely, streptococcal toxic shock), pneumonia, conjunctivitis, thrombocytopenia may occur with greater frequency than is observed in children, arthritis, hepatitis and meningo-encephalitis.
For pregnant women, the infection can cause complications for both the expectant mother and the fetus (neonatal chickenpox or congenital varicella syndrome), especially if contracted in the first trimester. Transplacental acquired chickenpox can cause eye damage and abnormalities. development of the brain, muscles and bones.
The risk of contracting chickenpox in adulthood can be reduced by vaccination; the vaccination cycle includes 2 doses 1-2 months apart. If the infection has already occurred, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs (acyclovir), as well as recommend antipyretics and topical preparations to relieve itching.
they are still evident on the body.
The crusts will take a few more days to dry completely and fall off. As a rule, this occurs about 7-10 days after the rash appears.
Chickenpox is a disease that is transmitted very easily and, by the same principle, the child who still has vesicular lesions should avoid going to public places, such as the playground or swimming pool.
, invaded during the primary infection, without giving symptoms and, in 10-20% of cases, can reactivate, causing the so-called "St. Anthony's fire" (herpes zoster).
The subject, therefore, will not re-present chickenpox, but a local skin manifestation characterized by clusters of vesicles that cause burning pain along the course of the nerve, where the virus has stationed. The events triggering the reactivation are not clear, but it is known that the phenomenon is more frequent with advancing age and in patients with deficient immune defenses.
A person with shingles can transmit chickenpox (but not St. Anthony's fire) to an "other person who has never contracted it (or who has not been vaccinated). In order for the infection to occur, however, it is direct contact with the vesicular lesions (in which the chickenpox virus is present) is necessary. During the fire of Sant Antonio, in fact, the viral agent does not usually affect the lungs and cannot spread by air (unlike what happens during chickenpox).
