Early in the morning a few days ago, Fan Ma was attracted by the news. It was probably like this __
Jasper Allen, a two-year-old British boy, had just developed chickenpox when his mother had already felt ill and called the family doctor for medical advice, but the doctor said it was pediatrics. But then chickenpox erupted like a mountain torrent. Jasper was red dots all over his body. He was rushed to the doctor and was hospitalized for 5 days before he got better. Jasper’s mother is now calling for a free vaccination program for chickenpox, hoping that the government will take responsibility for protecting young children. _______
Fan Mu was really frightened by the red dots on her baby’s body. In the middle of May, Jinan Primary School had 52 students in a class and 13 people infected with chickenpox. Can’t help wondering: Is chickenpox really so serious? What knowledge do parents need to know about chickenpox, and what should children do about chickenpox?
Is chickenpox serious?
Varicella used to be a disease that every child must suffer from, but the emergence of varicella vaccines has reduced the incidence of varicella.
Varicella is caused by varicella-zoster virus, which is a self-limiting disease, and its symptoms are often not serious. However, if a mother is infected with chickenpox in early pregnancy, it may lead to multiple deformities of the fetus (skin scars; abnormal limbs, brain and eyes; low birth weight); if she is infected with chickenpox a few days before delivery, it may lead to chickenpox of the newborn, which requires special care.
Chicken pox is highly contagious. People who have never had chicken pox may be recruited, including adults, but mainly in children. The peak age is 2-6 years old.
The infectious period of varicella is from 1-2 days before the eruption to scab formation. It takes about 7-8 days. It can be spread by blowing nose, coughing and other droplets or contact. Even the patients with mild symptoms of varicella are highly infectious. Therefore, for the patients with varicella, it is necessary to detect and isolate them early so as to avoid infecting more people.
2. What should children do if they are exposed to varicella virus?
If a child’s playmate or a schoolmate has chickenpox, parents should be careful. Every day, the child should be carefully examined before going out. Once he has a fever or discomfort, he should be isolated immediately.
In addition, these measures can be taken:
1. Vaccination. If the child has been vaccinated, there is nothing to worry about. However, some children may still suffer from varicella even if they have been vaccinated, but usually they have very few rashes, mild symptoms and recover quickly. If a child has not been vaccinated before, he can be vaccinated within 72 hours of exposure to the virus, then he may not be infected or have mild symptoms.
2. Consult your doctor to prescribe antiviral drugs for your child.
Is the child suffering from chickenpox?
Most children may have fever, discomfort and unwillingness to eat before they have eruptions. The rash began 24-48 hours later.
The characteristics of rash are:
The rash first appeared in the head, face and trunk, and gradually spread to the extremities. The closer it was to the extremities (fingers, toes), the less rash it was. The rash may also occur in the mouth, genitals and conjunctiva.
It starts with a red rash or papule, then becomes a transparent and full blister (the name of chickenpox comes from it). After 24 hours, the blister becomes cloudy and sinks into the center, and scabs form about 2-3 days later. Fortunately, most of the scabs do not leave scars, but parents need to be careful not to scratch the rash and secondary bacterial infections.
4. What about chickenpox?
Chicken pox is a self-limiting disease, that is to say, if there are no complications, even without any treatment, it can generally recover in about 10 days.
What parents can do is, under the guidance of doctors, take some nursing measures to make children comfortable and avoid more serious complications.
Nursing essentials of varicella:
1. Relieve itching: Apply a cold towel to the itchy area. Calamine lotion can be used locally for external use, and antibiotic ointment can be applied to broken chickenpox. Corticosteroids may cause the spread of the virus and should not be used. Oral antihistamines can help relieve itching. The medication should be carried out under the guidance of the doctor.
2. Wear cotton, soft and breathable clothes for children, change underwear frequently, and avoid wool products and other clothing.
3. Cut short and round children’s nails or wear gloves to avoid scratching the skin or breaking blisters and reduce secondary infections.
4. Maintain air circulation. Chicken pox patients themselves are not afraid of the wind, but do not let the wind blow directly to their children, to avoid colds.
5. Don’t rush to use antipyretics. As long as the child is not very uncomfortable and the temperature does not exceed 38.5 C, don’t rush to use antipyretics. Don’t use aspirin to reduce your child’s fever.
Reminder: Although most children with chickenpox can recover smoothly, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they have abnormal red, hot or tender skin rash, severe headache, frequent vomiting, high fever lasting for more than 4 days, and laborious breathing.
Fan Ma said: The best way to prevent chickenpox is to vaccinate against chickenpox. Families with two babies in the family, if a child is unfortunately recruited, we must pay attention to early isolation, to avoid transmission to another child.
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