All about chickenpox

Very contagious viral disease, chickenpox affects approximately 700,000 people per year, 90 % of which are under 10 years of age.It is generally benign.However, pregnant women, infants and immunocompromised adults are a risk of serious form.

Definition: What is chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a viral infectious disease as contagious as it is frequent caused by a herpes virus (chickenpox-zoster virus or VZV).Chickenpox is primary infection by the VZV.

This disease is manifested by a rash of vesicles associated with itching on several parts of the body.It occurs once during life, generally during childhood.The disease prevails epidemic with seasonal peaks (usually in spring and summer).Chickenpox is monitored by the Sentinel network.

And the doctor to continue: "In serious or complicated forms (in case of infection), antivirals or antibiotics are sometimes prescribed."

At the end of the disease, the chickenpox virus wins the nervous nodes.He stays there permanently and can reactivate later, causing a zona.

Some people are more likely to develop severe forms of chickenpox (with lungs or central nervous system): adults, immunocompromised people, pregnant women, the newborn (contamination in an unable pregnant womancan cause serious sequelae for the fetus).

Chickenpox in numbers

Contagion: How is chickenpox transmitted?

Transmission between children, most often

Chickenpox is a very contagious disease.This explains why almost all of the population has already contracted chickenpox before the age of 10 (source 1). Children and non -immunized adults can catch the chickenpox virus:

Note that the patient is contagious during the 24 to 48 hours before the appearance of skin lesions and for almost a week (until the lesions become crusty).

The chickenpox incubation period (that is to say the delay flowing between contact with the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms) is two to three weeks.

The transmission of the chickenpox virus is also possible from a subjectatatte of a localized zona and is done only from the skin lesions of zona.

The transmission of pregnant women to the fetus

Rarely, when a non-immune woman contracts chickenpox during her pregnancy, the virus is transmitted to the fetus by trans-placental route.

An infant born of an immune mother against chickenpox is protected by her mother's antibodies for 3 to 6 months.Thereafter, he can however contract the virus.

What causes chickenpox?

This highly contagious disease is caused by the Micken-Zona virus (called VZV, for Varicella-Zoster Virus) of the herpesvirus family, also called HHV-3 (Human Herpesvirus 3).

After contamination, the VZV is present at the level of the higher respiratory system before replicating in the lymph nodes.He then wins by blood the reticulo-endothelial system (liver, spleen) before winning again by blood tracks, the skin where he will be responsible for the eruption of chickenpox.

It is from the skin that the VZV wins the sensitive nervous nervous ganglia where it remains latent and that for all life!There are certain circumstances in which the virus can reactivate, produce new particles that will migrate nervous to the skin causing a zona.

What are the risk factors for chickenpox?

Being in contact with a person carrying the virus without being immunized yourself is the main risk factor.

What are the symptoms of this viral infection?

The first symptoms of chickenpox are generally:

Then appears the characteristic rash composed at its beginning of small pink spots, most often at the nape of the neck, chest, belly, back, face and scalp, and which cause itching (pruritus).Sometimes chickenpox touches the mucous membranes (mouth, genital mucous membranes ...) in the form of ulcerative lesions.

The lesions are raised quickly to become what is called papules.In around 24 hours, these papules turn into soft transparent vesicles, filled with a clear liquid and surrounded by a red border.

The number of buttons and regions of the affected body is very variable.Some patients have few lesions while others are covered with vesicles, sitting all over their body.

Sometimes, especially in children, chickenpox can cause a stretching approach: this is cerebellar ataxia.Impressive, she spontaneously heals in a fortnight.

The evolution of chickenpox symptoms

These demonstrations evolve by thrusts, resulting in the cohabitation of several types of lesions.

The serious forms of chickenpox

What prevention advice?

Real prevention, if we have never had chickenpox, is not to approach or rather not to touch a person with chickenpox.

If your child has chickenpox

Administration of immunoglobulins in the event of exposure of a subject at risk

In some cases, when contact could not be avoided in a subject at risk the administration of immunoglobulins against the chicken-zona virus is recommended to prevent the appearance of infection.Subjects identified as "at risk" include:

The use of vaccination in some cases

There are two chickenpox vaccines (Varivax and Varilix supported at 65 % by Social Security).They can be prescribed from the age of 1 year and have 2 doses spaced several weeks.But these vaccines are only advised for people who have not had the chickenpox previously in the cases:

Diagnosis: How do you know if you have measles?

"The chickenpox is diagnosed during the clinical examination of the attending physician or the pediatrician.

There are biological examinations, but they are only prescribed in case of serious chickenpox requiring hospitalization or in pregnant women ", according to Marc Perrussel:

What treatments to treat chickenpox?

The treatment of simple chickenpox shapes

"Children with chickenpox must wait for the disappearance of crusts to return to school," warns the dermatologist.Likewise, during this period, sick adults should not go to their workplace.

You have to think about informing the crèche, the maternal assistant so that measures can be taken for people at risk.

The treatment of serious chickenpox shapes

For serious forms or occurring in a subject at risk (pregnant woman, immunocompromised subject, newborn, child under 1 year, etc.), antiviral treatment is administered in the hospital, intravenously.

Avoid: the use of talc, powder, antibiotic, antiviral, antipruriginous cream which can promote infection because they have an occlusive character.

When to consult?

Phytotherapy

In case of chickenpox, apply on the vesicles of the face and body a small amount of green clay powder to avoid scratching and activate healing.

Homeopathy

During invasion: Belladona, Ferrum Phosphoricum and Bryonia 5 CH every hour.During the eruption: Rhus Toxicodendron 5 to 7 CH, 4 to 6 catches per day.During the formation of crusts: Mezereum 5ch, 4 to 6 taken per day.

Interview with Doctor Marc Perrussel, dermatologist and liberal venerologist in Auray.

Figures on "chickenpox: public health France publishes a news point on March 27, 2017"

Chickenpox, Ameli.fr

Associated drugs