The incubation period of chicken pox: how long and how not to get infected?
Hello, dear visitors of this website! Varicella refers to acute viral illnesses. She is easy to catch, especially if you often are in public places.
After reading this article, you will learn how long the incubation period of chickenpox, at which stage the disease is contagious and how to protect themselves from infection. Happy reading!
The incubation of varicella
What is the meaning of «incubation period»? A certain amount of time from the moment of introduction of the virus until the first symptoms. As a rule, this period in adults and in children ranges from 7 to 21 days.
In this cases feels great and does not notice any violations in the body. By the way, at the stage of incubation of chicken pox are practically not contagious. The infectiousness begins a few days before (weak), and immediately after the first symptoms.
The infectious stage lasts and how much is leaking?
Contagious chickenpox all the time? The answer, oddly enough, no. Dangerous to others patient is only in certain periods (several):
- after the first rash and before they stop appearing;
- within a few days after the last appearance of watery pimples;
- two days before the first watery papules (as in dermatology, are called watery pimples).
All patients are interested in how many days or weeks last chickenpox. The duration of the disease is often not more than ten days. The first five days the patient will always see a new watery pimples, which can appear dramatically large clusters or singly on various parts of the body.
The saddest thing is that the chicken pox can get to the mucous membranes, for example, in the oral cavity and genitals. It is unpleasant and unattractive.
The remaining five days flow more easily. New watery rash does not appear. Old pimples are gradually beginning to heal: covered with crusts, reduced in size, etc. In severe varicella disease can last much longer (severe form often occurs in adults).
Upon detection of symptoms of chickenpox is assigned to symptomatic treatment. It is in the handling of pimples with watery contents antiseptic medicines.
So, we can distinguish the main stages of the incubation period of varicella. If you are interested to know more about them, then here is a detailed description.
The main stages of the incubation period
Very often, infected chicken pox the parents of sick children who do not have immunity. In order to earn it, it is necessary to recover the above disease.
The incubation period of chickenpox in children under one year and pregnant
The incubation period in pregnant women is no different from the same period in other people. But children under one year it flows on its own. Often such young children the incubation of the virus is reduced to 7-10 days. The disease manifests itself is fast, aggressive and very noticeable.
Features the incubation period of chickenpox
Not always the above disease passes all three stages of incubation. Sometimes the symptoms appear on the second and even in the first phases. This can happen in case if:
- the body has got large number of viral cells;
- the immune system has been weakened;
- General health was unstable;
- contact with a sick person happened too closely (for example, in a small enclosed area).
Sometimes chickenpox can pass in a hidden form. While the body of the sick is absolutely clean, therefore, he is unaware that he is a carrier of a dangerous disease. Is it possible to get from such a patient? Of course, Yes.
To recognize a latent form of chickenpox is possible, if you work hard. Ill just have to jump in small watery pimples. Look for them on the body useless, as a latent form they appear mainly on the shag of the head.
Hair, especially if long, of a dark almost invisible, but if you look closely, you can see.
Preventive measures
If you know that had contact with sick chicken pox, you can try to prevent infection. If no contact after 4 days, then immediately contact the hospital.
The doctor will prescribe you the vaccine that will ease the symptoms of the disease or even prevent it.
What vaccinations do in this case? Injection immunoglobulin drug, boosting the immune system. This drug based on the blood infected with chicken pox and contains antibodies to the virus.
That’s all the information about the incubation period of varicella. Everyone should read it! So it will be just fine if you share this information with your friends on social networks. Also, if you liked the article, can subscribe to site updates. I wish you good health!
The author: Elena Smirnova (dermatologist)