Chickenpox and herpes are related. Can you get chickenpox if you have herpes?

Everyone knows about infections such as herpes and chickenpox, but not everyone knows that there is a close relationship between them. To understand whether this disease is one or not, what this connection is, and what differences exist, it is necessary to consider the ways of infection, Clinical signs and treatments for these diseases.

Features of the manifestation of pathologies

Chickenpox and human herpes are not the same thing, but different infections that have their own special features. But each of them belongs to one large family - Herpesviridae, which includes more than a hundred types, 8 of them can cause various diseases. The Herpesviridae family belongs to the DNA-containing viruses, which, when they enter the human body, remain forever in it. This condition is called persistence - the preservation of viral cells in the human or animal body.

All varieties of herpesviruses have their own special features, and each of them causes certain processes in the human body. The most common manifestation is the formation of herpes rashes on the face, for example, a cold on the lip, which develops when infected with type 1 herpes simplex.

Slightly less common is infection with type 2 virus, which initially provoked rashes on the mucous membranes of the genital tract, but in recent decades it often manifests itself in the form of herpes on the mucous membranes. oral cavity.

It is the 1 and 2 types of herpesvirus that are most often the culprits of rashes on the human body. But there is also a type 3, called the Varicella-Zoster virus, which is the cause of chickenpox infection. Thus, it can be understood that chickenpox and herpes belong to the same large family of herpesviruses.

What are the biological similarities between herpes and chickenpox:

They belong to the same family.
Damage to cell nuclei.
The carriers are people.
There is a relationship with the immune system.
Characterized by rashes in the form of bubbles filled with liquid.
They remain in the human body for life.
Capable of being latent for a long period of time.

The main differences between herpes simplex and chickenpox viruses are:

the structure of viral cells;
the course of the epidemiological process;
clinical picture of the disease.

Rashes with herpes simplex look like groups of vesicles filled with serous fluid, which have the ability to spread and form large erosive lesions. When it enters the body, the infection can be in the body for a long time in a dormant mode, and is activated when the body's defenses decrease. If the immune system a person is unstable, the virus will constantly recur.

The mechanism of disease development

Infection with types 1 and 2 of the virus usually occurs by airborne droplets or by contact: with kisses, sexual intercourse, touching. You can get infected by household means - through personal hygiene items of a sick person, dishes, a toilet seat, since simple types of herpes tend to retain their qualities outside the human body for up to 24 hours. Chickenpox is infected in two ways - airborne, and less often through the placenta from an infected mother.

The Zoster virus does not have the ability to survive on objects for a long time, so it is almost impossible to get sick in a domestic way.

Most often, chickenpox occurs in young children and is epidemiological in nature - it spreads very quickly in children's groups. The incubation period lasts from 10 days to 3 weeks, but you can catch chickenpox only from the last two days of incubation until all the bubbles dry.

Unlike simple herpes, rashes with chickenpox appear singly, but can affect any part. skin. In this case, the patient's temperature rises to 38-39 ° C. Patients should not comb the formed papules, otherwise scars will remain for life. Patients ill in childhood tolerate this disease much easier than adults.

If a person has had chickenpox once, then he remains immune to this disease for life, but since the virus remains in the body, when immunity is greatly reduced, type 3 virus is activated, and a more serious disease occurs - shingles. This lichen is not a fungal disease, unlike other species, but a manifestation of the virus' damage to nerve fibers.

Most often, rashes appear in the area of \u200b\u200bthe ribs and chest, but can spread to other parts of the body. This rash is often similar to that seen with chickenpox, which is why shingles patients often say they have had a recurrence of chickenpox. In addition, there are distinctive signs of the disease: numbness of the skin, severe pain, the formation of large foci.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis for herpes and chicken pox is often carried out only by visual means, since these diseases have a characteristic clinical picture. But there are reasons that require blood tests, namely:

if chickenpox is atypical:
if the mucous membranes are affected;
to identify the type of herpes that causes frequent relapses.

Blood tests show which types of virus are present in the body and whether there are antibodies to them - that is, whether the immune system is able to resist the disease. Sometimes blood tests are needed if the patient does not know whether he had chickenpox or not. The results obtained show whether there are antibodies or not, which is important if the patient works in a children's team and wants to vaccinate against chickenpox.

What analyzes are carried out:

cultural method.
Cytological study.

Analyzes allow not only to detect the presence of the virus and antibodies, but also to determine the state of the herpes virus - active or latent, and approximately determine the statute of limitations of the infection and the number of relapses.

Simple types of herpes, as well as chicken pox virus and herpes zoster, are treated in almost the same way. The main drugs designed to stop the reproduction of viral cells are antiviral agents, which are available in the form of tablets and ointments.

What medicines can be used:

With herpes simplex, there are enough external remedies. So, ointments Acyclovir, Viferon, Oxolinic, as well as their analogues are used. Patients with frequently recurrent herpes types 1 and 2 do not have enough treatment with these drugs - it is necessary to periodically take preventive courses, which include immunomodulating and stimulating agents:

Viferon.
Genferon.
Polyoxidonium.
Reaferon.

With chickenpox, not only antiviral therapy is carried out, the course of treatment includes the following means:

But more serious illness- shingles - requires not only antiviral drugs, but also anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, sedative and strong painkillers.

Thus, we can conclude that chickenpox and herpes are diseases very close to each other, arising from exposure to the same virus, but having a different clinical picture. If chickenpox is characterized by a milder course, then shingles brings a person much more negative consequences.

The confusion that sometimes arises with two infections is understandable. It is misleading, and everyone knows that this happens after a chicken pox. But ordinary herpes on the lips and chickenpox are different diseases that are caused by different, albeit related, infections.

Herpes group viruses

herpes simplex virus(Herpes simplex) and chickenpox virus(Herpes zoster) are relatives, and belong to the Herpesvirus family (Herpesviridae). They have a similar lifestyle, but different talents.

Herpes simplex There are two types 1 and 2 - these are siblings. Herpes type 1 is classic herpes on the lips, herpes type 2 is genital. But now they are more cosmopolitan: more and more often both viruses are found in rashes on the lips and genitals, it turned out that they adapt and mutate. Herpes of the first type can cause rashes on the genitals, although this was previously considered impossible.

The way of penetration into the body can be contact, household, but most often - airborne. 90% of residents of large cities are already infected with herpes simplex by the age of majority. In this case, there may not be any manifestations of the disease. Once in the body, it multiplies in the skin cells and mucous membranes, causing a characteristic rash, and then hides in the nervous tissue, and leads a quiet life, periodically re-emerging into the light. Rashes are localized on the lips, less often in the nose, and occur at times of weakening of the protective functions of the body. With significantly reduced immunity, in children under one year old, they can be numerous. With the genital form - rashes appear on the genitals.

windmill is infection, which . Chickenpox virus is a showman, and carefully prepares for his main performance. Once in the body by airborne droplets, it first causes symptoms similar to SARS, and then manifests itself as a rash, which is difficult to confuse with something else both in appearance and in sensations. Banal chickenpox can have serious complications, and under the age of one year is life-threatening. Such a vivid demonstration usually happens once in a lifetime, and after a standing ovation, he retires, and quietly lives an ordinary consumer life in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. Already in old age, Herpes zoster from a showman can become a dramatic actor. In this case, it appears in the form of shingles. Now he can appear in public at different intervals, announcing himself with an announcement in the form severe pain along the intercostal nerves.

Shared family values

A feature of herpeviruses is that once they enter the body, they remain there forever. They are conservatives, and do not give up the conquered and developed territories. Their way of life is the same, they quickly penetrate the body, choose cells with the most intensive metabolism for reproduction, then remain to live in sensitive ganglia nervous system and may recur periodically. The immune system constantly restrains herpes viruses, while being in good shape. Of course, the immune system has other infections to keep it in shape, and even its own cells, but herpes is a favorite enemy. As soon as a person suffers a serious test, and his immune system is forced to distract himself with something else, herpes gets more freedom and manifests itself in a rash. At the same time, even the absence of a rash does not mean that the immune system always keeps herpes under control, as evidenced by their influence on the development of diseases of the nervous system, syndrome chronic fatigue. Herpes simplex, herpes simplex types 1 and 2 are among the TORCH infections, because genital herpes can lead to the death of the embryo and miscarriage. If a mother gets chickenpox in the first trimester of pregnancy, then the consequences can be the same; in the second and third trimester, Herpes zoster is less dangerous. It is fair to say that these are far from the only infections that are dangerous during pregnancy.

Natalia Trohimets

Chickenpox and herpes are viral diseases. They have a number of distinctive features that must be taken into account in the diagnosis, therapeutic actions and prevention. Determined by specific pathogens. Although they belong to the same group, they are identified separately. If we consider the generally accepted classification, then chickenpox is type 3 herpes, belonging to the Varicella-Zoster family. The virus also provokes shingles.

Better known is herpes simplex. According to statistics, about 95% of people are carriers of pathogenic compounds. Specific vesicles on the lips are formed due to type 1 virus, and in the genital area - type 2. There are 8 types of herpes viruses.

Remember! Chickenpox and herpes are not the same disease!

What do herpes and chickenpox have in common?

If we consider chickenpox and herpes, then this is not the same thing, although similar characteristics of the diseases are noted. The general options are:

They belong to the same classification group, they are varieties of viral herpes.
The pathogen enters the body and remains with a person for life.
The acute form is characterized by specific dermatological symptoms, blistering rashes.
Raised degree. It is diagnosed in both children and adults.
The likelihood of transmission from mother to child.
The genomic structure of cells is noted.
Penetrating into the body, pathogenic cells may not manifest themselves immediately, but only when circumstances occur that reduce the protective functions of the body.

Herpes and chickenpox have a relatively relative relationship. If we compare the distinctive features, then there are more of them. Therefore, it is better to consider diseases separately.

Differences

Herpes and varicella viruses have a number of dissimilar parameters that can be divided into separate categories. This applies to the etiology of diseases, symptoms, methods of treatment, the area of damage. To understand on what grounds diseases can be divided, it is necessary to analyze each of them separately.

Parameters	Chickenpox	Herpes (simple)
Pathogen	It develops when Varicella Zoster (Varicella Zoster) enters the body.	Herpes of the 1st and 2nd type (common) form pathological foci due to the pathogen Herpes simplex
Methods of infection, causes	The main infection occurs by airborne droplets. Pathogenic compounds enter the body through the mucous membrane.	The virus can enter the bloodstream through contact with an infected person, contact, sexual intercourse, kiss. A common way of infection is by airborne droplets, as well as through personal hygiene items (for example, a towel, linen).
Kill zone	Specific covers large areas of the body. It can start from the torso, arms, move to the face, head.	The foci are mostly single, localized on the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips, which is typical for type 1 herpes. A rash or blisters on the genitals are formed with type 2 herpes.
Associated symptoms	Windmill runs in various. In children, it manifests itself with the least symptoms than in adolescents and adults. Characteristic symptoms include: general weakness, chills; temperature rise, parameters vary from 37 to 40 degrees; a rash in the form of bubbles, maturing over time, bursting and turning into crusts; itching in the area of the rash. In children, the signs are less pronounced, sometimes only in the form of a rash.	Passes with different signs, which depend on the type and neglect of the lesion. The following are typical: fatigue, weakness; temperature change, mainly observed in acute forms; rash, redness, vesicles on the mucosa; itching, inflammation of the focus; enlargement of the lymph nodes. Herpes that occurs on the oral mucosa can spread to other areas, including the genitals.
Diagnostics	Basically, inspection of the rashes is enough. Only in rare cases the patient is sent for further investigations. During an epidemic, when relatively many people begin to become infected with chickenpox at once, which is typical for kindergartens and schools, diagnosis is limited only to visual examination.	It is easy for a doctor to distinguish herpes from chickenpox even visually. Additional diagnostic procedures are prescribed for suspected infectious diseases, such as sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to clarify the type of virus. The list of studies includes taking scrapings, smears, immunofluorescence reaction, PCR and other measures necessary at the discretion of the doctor.
Methods of treatment	In forms, mainly topical preparations are prescribed, accelerating healing, relieving itching. Antivirals are chosen at the discretion of the physician. There are special forms for children. medicines if they are needed. At elevated temperatures, it is allowed to take antipyretics. Additionally, vitamins, means to strengthen the immune system.	Antiviral drugs, directed action. The child may use candles. To stimulate the process of regeneration or healing, external agents are applied, including antiviral action. With suppuration of the skin, which is typical in advanced stages, the use of antibacterial solutions will be required. Promotes healing reception vitamin complexes, diet, immunostimulants.
Consequences	The dynamics of treatment is positive, they are rare. A person develops immunity, i.e., chickenpox relapses rarely occur.	Can cause serious health complications. It is not eliminated from the body, but with adequate treatment it goes into a long stage of remission. With a critical decrease in immunity, it can recur.
Prevention	If desired, you can go through, involving the development of immunity. In public institutions, upon detection of a patient, the picture period is determined. As a preventive measure, contact with the sick person is limited.	It is difficult to unequivocally prevent infection, because a person may not have obvious symptoms of herpes, but he is a carrier. The likelihood of a virus entering the body will reduce: compliance with hygiene rules; use of individual items for care; for adults - protected sex with a little-known partner. Vaccinations are not widely used in medicine. A number of drugs (vaccines) aimed at preventing the development of the 2nd type of virus are under development.

If children have rashes with vesicles and itching is present, then it is easy to recognize chickenpox or herpes in a child, because diseases differ even in the number and location of foci. It is important not to self-medicate! Only a therapist, pediatrician or dermatologist will make a final diagnosis and choose an adequate therapeutic course.

After analyzing the similar characteristics of pathologies, the formulation of herpes chickenpox is correct, but only taking into account a number of differences that are taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment.

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Chickenpox is a disease that occurs when a virus enters the human body. It is accompanied by moderately severe intoxication, fever, redness and rash on the skin. However, in older people who have not previously had chickenpox, the causative agent of this infection causes shingles. The fact is that the infection that causes chickenpox can also provoke the development of this disease. It belongs to the herpes family, which are transmitted by contact or airborne droplets.

It should be noted that the infectious agent can only live in the human body. However, it can remain active in the air for several hours. Chickenpox can affect 90% of the total population, the rest of the people have immunity to infection. It is also most common in children. Their chickenpox always proceeds in a mild form, does not cause complications in the future. Only 10% of all reported cases of chickenpox occur in people over 15 years of age. The main difficulty in diagnosing this disease is that chickenpox and herpes have almost the same form of redness.

Shingles symptoms

Shingles is an infectious disease that is often confused with chickenpox. It most often occurs in older people who have not previously had smallpox. It is possible to recognize the disease by a sharp increase in body temperature, deterioration in general health, malaise and headache. Over time, these symptoms are added to the compaction of a certain area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, which is somewhat reminiscent of a segmental nerve. Also, a person begins to feel some burning and tightness of the skin, on which numerous papules appear over time.

It should be noted that the discomfort caused by shingles increases significantly at night. Because of this, patients suffer from insomnia and lethargy. Rashes spread throughout the body, but most often localized between the buttocks, on the sides and arms. Almost never blisters occur on the scalp and face. The main feature of shingles from chickenpox is the duration of healing - here it is about 2-5 weeks. Also, such a disease is much harder to diagnose, because it can masquerade as other diseases for a long time.

The course of chickenpox

Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same pathogen. However, the first disease is safer and harmless. On average, the duration of chickenpox does not exceed 2 weeks, after which the person returns to his usual way of life and forgets about the discomfort. On the initial stages it is almost impossible to distinguish these two diseases from each other; in two cases, a person's body temperature rises, and his state of health worsens. After that, when a sufficient amount of viruses enters the bloodstream, numerous rashes form on the human body, which eventually turn into papules.

Also, chickenpox usually begins acutely: the body temperature rapidly, in just a few hours, increases significantly. After that, rashes appear all over the body, excluding the palms and feet. In especially difficult cases, the rash can be localized even on the mucous membranes of the skin. At right approach After 3-4 days of treatment, the resulting rash dries up, the person feels a significant investment. Also, chickenpox is characterized by an undulating course, which cannot be said about shingles. Compared to herpes zoster, chickenpox is much easier to treat.

"Children's" chickenpox and "adult" herpes zoster (shingles) - it would seem, what do they have in common? It turns out that both of these diseases are caused by the same virus, which is a relative of the herpes simplex virus. The very one that is to blame for the appearance of the notorious "fever" on the lips ...

Chickenpox, or simply chickenpox, is one of the most widespread infectious diseases. A few decades ago, most people had chickenpox in childhood, which is why the disease is still often called a “childhood infection”. Most feature chickenpox - finely bubbling (with transparent contents of the vesicles) rash on the skin and mucous membranes.

Chickenpox is caused by a filterable virus from the herpes group, the name of which sounds almost unpronounceable: Strongiloplama zonae. This virus is simply amazingly volatile: it can be transported with air current over long distances (to neighboring rooms, apartments, from one floor to another). As a rule, the causative agent of chickenpox enters the body through the upper Airways, is fixed on the cells of the mucous membrane and begins to accumulate - gain strength before attacking the body. However, the causative agent of chickenpox is not very stable during external environment, and therefore the possibility of getting infected through various objects and things, as well as through third parties, is unlikely. Under the influence of sunlight or heat, the varicella-zoster virus is also quickly inactivated.

The infectious period with chickenpox begins 1-2 days before the onset of the first manifestations of the disease. By releasing a huge amount of virions (viral particles) when coughing, talking and sneezing, a sick child can infect dozens of peers. Not surprisingly, chickenpox outbreaks are most common in preschools and primary schools.

Chickenpox: how the disease proceeds

For 11-23 days (on average 14 days) from the moment the virus enters the body, the virus "dozes" - this is the incubation period of the disease. Occasionally (as a rule, in older children and adults) during this latent period of the disease, subfebrile temperature and deterioration in well-being may be observed. Gradually, the virus penetrates into the lymphatic system, and then into the blood. Nerve endings located in the skin and mucous membranes have a special tropism (susceptibility) to it - this explains the appearance of a typical "chickenpox" rash. In severe cases, the virus infects internal organs- causes the formation of small foci of necrosis in the liver, spleen, lungs, pancreas, etc.

Period clinical manifestations chickenpox begins acutely: with fever, almost simultaneous appearance of a rash on the skin (except for the feet and hands), scalp and mucous membranes. It is noteworthy that in this case, each element of the rash undergoes a kind of “evolution”: first it is a spot, and then a papule (nodule), which turn into a vesicle (vesicle). After 3-4 days, the chickenpox bubbles burst and dry up. Starting from the center, a dense crust gradually forms. If you do not injure, do not comb the drying bubbles, then after the crusts fall off, there will be no scars and scars. If the vesicles suppurate (due to scratching or severe course disease), then they turn into pustules, and then after the crusts fall off, scars may remain.

Since chickenpox elements do not appear all at once, but at intervals of 1-2 days, on the skin of a patient with chickenpox, you can simultaneously see elements of rashes at different stages of development (spot, nodule, vesicle, crust) - the so-called false polymorphism of the rash.

Chickenpox and age: the younger, the easier

As a rule, the younger the sick child, the easier the chickenpox. So, in children of the first months of life, a rudimentary form of chicken pox is more often observed, with single rashes - small papules with a barely beginning bubble. The general condition of the baby does not suffer, the body temperature rises slightly or remains normal.

With a mild form of chicken pox, the temperature is often subfebrile (37-37.5). Rashes on the skin are not plentiful, but on the mucous membranes - single. During the first week of illness, there are several "waves" of rashes, which are accompanied by an increase in body temperature.

In the moderate form, the patient's temperature rises steadily (up to 38°C - 38.5°C), manifestations of intoxication are observed, general well-being worsens, and sleep is disturbed. The baby suffers from itching caused by profuse rashes. Elements of the rash sometimes not only completely cover the surface of the skin, but are also located on the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, and genital organs. The spots that appear on the mucous membranes often turn into pustules (aphthae).

Complications and diagnosis of chickenpox

In rare cases, chicken pox takes atypical forms: generalized, hemorrhagic, gangrenous. In such a particularly severe way, the disease occurs in weakened children with serious immunity disorders (for example, with long-term treatment steroid hormones and cytostatic drugs, HIV infection, etc.).

Like any infectious disease, chickenpox weakens the body's defenses. This creates the basis for the development of various complications - stomatitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, mumps, etc. Such terrible consequences of chickenpox as encephalitis or sepsis are extremely rare.

Modern laboratory diagnostics allows you to detect the virus in the contents of the vesicles, as well as in the blood of the patient. However, such methods are complex and rarely used - a very specific "rubber" of chickenpox usually does not cause difficulties for the doctor in making a diagnosis.

Chickenpox: the main thing in treatment is hygiene

In most cases, chickenpox is treated at home; only very young children or patients with severe forms or complications are hospitalized. The main thing in caring for a baby with chickenpox is to provide him with thorough hygienic care. Bed linen and underwear are ironed. Rash elements lubricate 1–2% aqueous solution potassium permanganate or 1-2% aqueous or alcoholic solution of brilliant green or methylene blue. By the way, regular treatment of chickenpox vesicles with solutions of aniline dyes is also very valuable because it helps to easily mark the end of the cessation of rashes: it occurs when “unpainted” vesicles cease to appear on the skin. Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible to bathe a child with chickenpox - a return to water procedures is allowed only after the appearance of new elements has ceased, and all old elements have crusted over.

With abundant rashes and severe itching, you can alleviate the suffering of the baby by lubricating his skin with glycerin, as well as wiping with water with vinegar or alcohol. After eating, the child must rinse his mouth. For the treatment of severe forms of chickenpox are used medications that suppress the activity of the virus in the body, for example, acyclovir (in the form of tablets or ointments). Of course, a child (and an adult) with chickenpox also needs a light and nutritious diet and rest: like any viral disease, chickenpox does not forgive neglect of the treatment regimen!

Attention! Since chickenpox is a viral disease, antibiotics in its treatment are prescribed only in exceptional cases! In particular, when joining purulent infection and the development of other complications (or when the risk and danger of their occurrence are high enough).

How to prevent chickenpox

If the day the baby communicates with the source of infection is set accurately, the child who has been in contact with chickenpox is isolated from the children's team from the 11th to the 21st day incubation period. A sick baby is deprived of communication with peers for nine days from the moment the first rash appears.

It is also necessary to say that today a chickenpox vaccine has been developed, but in Ukraine and Russia it is not included in the mandatory vaccination calendar. Only children with severe immunity disorders, as well as healthy children who have not had chickenpox in the first 72 hours after contact with the patient, are subject to vaccination. On the other hand, in the United States and some other countries, the first dose of varicella vaccine is given to all children aged 1-1.5 years, and the second dose at 4-6 years.

There is no doubt that the chickenpox vaccine is especially appropriate for women planning to conceive a child, but who have not had chickenpox. During pregnancy, chickenpox is as dangerous as any acute TORCH infection - depending on the gestational age at the time of infection, it gives from 30% to 70% of complications (including pregnancy loss, intrauterine infection, the birth of a child with malformations). It is necessary to vaccinate on the eve of pregnancy twice with an interval of 6-8 weeks and subsequent planning of conception no earlier than 3 months after the last injection.

Unsure if you have had chickenpox? Most laboratories test for the presence of antibodies to any viral diseases, so getting an answer is very simple. If it turns out that you have immunity to the causative agent of chicken pox, then there is no point in being vaccinated, if not, decide for yourself.

"Twin brothers" - chickenpox and herpes zoster

The opinion that existed in the recent past that, having had chickenpox once, a person permanently acquires immunity to the Strongiloplama zonae virus, turned out to be not entirely true. In some cases, this virus "does" like most other viruses from the herpes group: "settlement" in the nerve plexuses, it remains / remains in the body for life. It "dozes", but under the influence of factors that reduce immunity (for example, serious disease or chronic stress) is able to "wake up". In this case, the virus does not cause chickenpox, but an ailment called Herpes zoster (herpes zoster, also known as herpes zoster or shingles). This disease is most often diagnosed in people over 50 years of age. However, in adulthood, the appearance of shingles often ends with the initial meeting with chickenpox (which, for example, was "brought" from the kindergarten by children or grandchildren).

In children, shingles occurs infrequently (virtually does not occur under the age of 10 years), and usually proceeds mildly, with a favorable prognosis. Recovery can be delayed in babies suffering from impaired immunity.

"Portrait" of shingles

The disease begins with the so-called prodromal phenomena: an increase in body temperature, a general deterioration in well-being, as well as the appearance of discomfort (pain, tingling) and induration in the skin area connected by one of the segmental nerves. Then, along the course of the affected nerve (usually on one side of the body), rashes appear - red plaques-papules, which eventually turn into vesicles (as with chickenpox!). Their appearance is accompanied by itching, tingling and burning of the skin; all these unpleasant sensations are intensified at night. Rarely, rashes are observed on other parts of the body, including the head and face. The peculiarity of herpes zoster is the slow, within 2-5 weeks, healing of sores. However, the younger the patient, the sooner recovery occurs.

Unlike its "relative" - chickenpox, shingles in some cases can cause problems with diagnosis: an insidious disease is first disguised as other ailments. The first manifestations of herpes zoster may lead the doctor to think about pleurisy, neuralgia trigeminal nerve, appendicitis, renal colic, cholelithiasis etc. Therefore, in case of the slightest doubt, it is important to consult with several doctors, and, of course, with a specialist in infectious diseases.

Herpes zoster, "chickenpox brother": the rules of the fight

With Herpes zoster, the main thing - as with chickenpox - is to keep the skin clean. Vesicles are treated with a solution of brilliant green, crusts - on the advice of a doctor - are lubricated with 5% dermatol ointment. On the recommendation of a doctor, drying lotions and ointments can also be used. Modern antiviral drugs (famvir, valtrex, acyclovir, etc.) can be very effective in the treatment of herpes zoster, but they should be used only as directed and under the supervision of a doctor.

Recall that a pediatrician who observes a child should treat herpes zoster in cooperation with a pediatric infectious disease specialist.

In addition, you should always remember: shingles, like chickenpox, is highly contagious (that is, contagious). And one more thing: a child can easily “catch” chickenpox from a patient with herpes zoster!