Shingles in children: causes, symptoms, treatment

Shingles in children occurs as a result of the Zoster virus infection entering the child's body. The same virus causes chickenpox, so their symptoms are similar, and at the initial stage of the disease they can be confused. The main symptom that makes it possible to make a correct diagnosis is a lichen rash in the form of a belt. However, if there is no or improper treatment, herpes zoster is dangerous due to complications in the form of damage to the nervous system, which can lead to disability.

The disease has a complex course: it is characterized by pain, vomiting and itchy rashes. But to become infected, you must be exposed to several factors at once, and children under 10 years of age rarely become infected.

In this article you will learn: what shingles looks like in children, methods of correct diagnosis, treatment methods, and means of prevention.

What is herpes zoster in children?

herpes zoster in children
Herpes zoster (the common name is herpes zoster, the medical name is herpetic eczema) is a disease caused by type III herpes (there are only 8 varieties) or, as it is also called, the Zoster virus, the same pathogen that transmits chickenpox smallpox
It is a rash on the body in the form of a wide stripe (for example, on the lower back, at chest level, in the cervical region) resembling a wide reddish ribbon, on which uneven bubbles with a cloudy liquid appear.

After 2-3 days, the bubbles begin to burst, causing severe itching and discomfort, but this is not so bad. The fact is that the herpes zoster virus affects the nerve endings, so the pain associated with the disease is truly unbearable, and is often accompanied by high fever.

There are several atypical forms of herpes zoster:

• abortive (the characteristic blisters of the rash are not observed)
• vesicular (rashes in the form of significant blisters are observed)
• hemorrhagic (characterized by blisters filled with blood)
• gangrenous (manifested by tissue necrosis with scar formation)

Also known are gangliocutaneous, ear, ocular, meningoencephalitic, with damage to the autonomic ganglia and disseminated (widespread) forms of herpes zoster.

Please note that this virus may be confused with “wrestling herpes,” rashes that appear in the armpits, neck, and scalp of men who engage in contact wrestling.

Therefore, in order for the treatment to be correct, it is necessary to conduct a special analysis that will show what type of herpes infection the child’s body is affected by.

Herpes zoster exists in the body of all people, without exception, who have had chickenpox. If everything is in order with the immune system, it will calmly “doze off”, settling on the nerve endings, but as soon as the immune system weakens sharply, for example, after some kind of illness, one of its side effects can be such a rash.

Sometimes herpes manifests itself as a result of exposure to a draft, hypothermia or overheating of the body, and is part of the history of certain mental and physiological conditions.

The virus is so persistent that it is impossible to destroy it - cases have been recorded when herpes zoster appeared in patients with cancer, after long-term chemotherapy, which manages to destroy everything except herpes.

In addition, shingles is prone to recurrent rashes, so after a child or adult has had this disease, you should be extremely careful to prevent it from recurring.

Today, the number of patients with herpes zoster virus is increasing, amounting to 3 people per 10,000 elderly patients, and 15% of patients are in the category of patients with immunodeficiency.

Shingles occurs against the background of a herpes infection during a period of weakened immune defense. This type of lichen is characterized by rashes along the nerve, accompanied by severe pain at the site of the lesion and disruption of nervous regulation.

Exacerbation of herpes in children occurs mainly in the autumn-spring period, when the temperature changes and there is a risk of hypothermia. Hypothermia leads to an exacerbation of all chronic pathologies in the child’s body, and at the same time the herpes virus is activated.

The appearance of this disease in children is preceded by a decrease in the protective mechanism; this can be observed with colds, flu, and general malaise. In order to understand why herpes zoster is dangerous, it is necessary to trace its clinical course.

The prodromal period of the disease is characterized by the appearance of general symptoms: headache, malaise, neuralgic pain, irritability. The period when the rash appears is the most severe, the pain intensifies, the child’s body temperature rises, and serious complications arise. Typical complications of lichen can manifest as infection, diffuse pain in nearby structures, and gangrene. An infection localized in the area of ​​the trigeminal or other nerve can spread throughout the body along with the hands.

Among the most serious consequences of lichen are nerve palsy due to impaired motor function. An infectious disease can affect the functioning of internal organs: pneumonia, infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, and inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract develop.

Complications can be avoided by timely treatment, but in some cases, even effective therapy against a background of weakened immunity will not prevent complications.

Concomitant manifestations of lichen include general malaise in children, at the same time body temperature rises, appetite disappears, severe pain interferes with normal sitting, standing and sleeping.

Secondary damage by a bacterial infection can lead to an even worsening of the clinical picture, and treatment after lichen requires a long recovery of about four weeks.

Paralysis and neuralgia occur more often in older people or in patients with immunodeficiency, therefore such consequences in children are rarely diagnosed and indicate possible immunosuppression.

In this case, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease, since lichen is only a symptom of a serious pathology in children.

Signs of complications of herpetic infection in children:

1. severe pain at the site of skin rashes;
2. local and general increase in temperature;
3. intoxication of the body, accompanied by headache, dyspepsia, weakness;
4. rashes along the nerve begin to spread;
5. the addition of a purulent infection leads to the release of exudate.

The pain associated with lichen in children is very similar to the characteristic sensations associated with cholecystitis or a heart attack. Since the rash appears only on days 3-15 of the disease, it is difficult to accurately diagnose herpes zoster, and differential diagnosis is necessary.

Source: vysypanie.ru

Characteristics of the disease and its consequences

The connection between chickenpox and herpes zoster was discovered in Hungary by pediatrician János Bokaj in 1888. The doctor compared the increasing incidence of these diseases in members of some families. Later it became known that they are caused by the same form of the herpes virus.

Herpes zoster (also known as herpes zoster, eczema herpeticum, or herpes zoster) is caused by the zoster virus (VZ). Among the eight varieties known to medicine, it is number three. This pathogen also causes the well-known disease chickenpox (chickenpox).

Herpes zoster can be found in the body of every person who has had chickenpox in the past. When the immune system is fully functioning, the virus “sleeps” and may not manifest itself in any way. Otherwise, it is capable of sharply intensifying even several decades after the illness.

There are several types of this disease. Depending on the resulting consequences, they distinguish between uncomplicated and complicated herpes zoster (accompanied by meningitis, complications for vision and hearing, encephalitis, hepatitis, pneumonia, diseases of the genitourinary system or intestinal obstruction). In children with weakened immune systems, for example, those with a positive HIV status, a viral infection can infect and destroy the entire body.

With progressive herpes zoster, the likelihood of damage to the mucous membranes of the ENT organs, lungs, heart, and digestive tract increases. There have been cases of weakening of tactile and pain sensitivity, muscle atrophy.

If a child becomes infected, his parents should be as attentive as possible to the disease and its treatment. Possible complications can lead to death if treatment is not started in a timely manner and the insidious virus is allowed to develop unhindered.

Development mechanism

In children, herpes zoster is transmitted by contact with a sick person of any age. After a primary infection caused by Varicelazoster, it may transition to a latent form, in which the virus is localized in the spinal, trigeminal, sacral and other nerve ganglia with possible subsequent endogenous reactivation of the infection.

The main routes of transmission of infectious diseases:

• contact - in close contact with a virus carrier (sick person) of any age, for example, when kissing through salivation, when infected saliva gets on the child’s skin;
• household - with the general use of household items or personal hygiene items;
• airborne - close contact with an infected person when he sneezes or coughs;
• transfusion - intraarterial or intravenous blood transfusion.

According to current concepts, chickenpox is analyzed as an infection in children with low immunity. Herpes zoster arises from the neurogenic widespread spread of the virus, which is activated in children with the presence of humoral immunity. Behavior of herpes zoster after infection of a child:

1. After the initial infection with the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, it is likely to go into dormant mode.
2. In the latent form, the virus hides in the spinal ganglia, trigeminal nerve, and other clusters of nerve cells with the possibility of subsequent endogenous reactivation of the virus.
3. During reactivation, that is, restoration of the viability of infection cells, axonal transport (movement of a nerve cell) of the virus to skin cells is realized. Here the virus continues to multiply further. An inevitable component of reproductive activation of infection with severe viral inflammation of nerve endings with damage to the trigeminal, spinal and intercostal ganglia.

With herpes zoster in children, attention is first paid to damage to the nervous tissue. A peculiarity of the manifestation of the virus in chickenpox is damage to the skin.

As has already been emphasized, the virus actively penetrates the child’s body during the course of chickenpox in a child. After effective treatment, the activation of viruses is restrained by T-lymphocytes. If their level decreases, the virus begins to actively multiply.

The limiting factor for the reactivation of the virus is T-lymphocytes, when weakened (severe somatic diseases, malignant neoplasms, immunosuppressive therapy, HIV infection, age over 55 years), the development of herpes zoster is possible.

A short period between primary infection and its reactivation occurs in children with chronic infection, primary T-cell deficiency, and after congenital varicella.

When the infection is reactivated, the virus is transported axonally to the skin cells, where its further reproduction continues. An obligatory component of the activation of infection with viral inflammation of nerve endings with damage to the intercostal ganglia or ganglia of the cranial nerves and damage to the dorsal roots of the spinal cord.

With herpes zoster in children, unlike chickenpox, what comes to the fore is not so much the properties of the virus that are prone to damage to the skin, but rather the properties of the virus that damage the nervous tissue.

According to modern concepts, chickenpox is considered as a hematogenous infection in people who do not have immunity, while herpes zoster occurs during the neurogenic spread of the virus, which is activated in people with humoral immunity.

Source: pediatriya.info

Diagnostics

photo herpes in children
To confirm the diagnosis, PCR and ELISA diagnostics are used. Smears of rashes are examined for the presence of viral DNA using PCR. Blood tests for antibodies to the Varicella-Zoster virus show an increase in the titer of IgG antibodies, and soon IgM also become positive.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with the following diseases in children:

1. True eczema. Diagnostic errors regarding this skin disease are common. Eczema is characterized by frequent allergic reactions and hereditary predisposition. Externally, the rash is similar in its morphological characteristics; crusts also form. The temperature remains normal, itching is pronounced, there is no intoxication and pain syndrome - these signs mainly distinguish herpes zoster in children from eczema. An equally important difference is the localization of the rash in eczema in children: the limbs and folds are more often affected, the rashes are symmetrical and cross the midline of the body. So, herpes on a child’s leg should first of all be differentiated from eczema.
2. Herpes simplex in disseminated form is characterized by frequent relapses, the localization of the rash in children is chaotic, and not along the nerves, bilateral damage to the body, and less severe pain. For example, herpes on a child’s hand is often the result of activation of the type 1 herpes virus.
3. Pyoderma in children is also associated with immunodeficiency; the rash becomes crusty. But there are no blisters, pain or unilateral lesions.
4. Allergic dermatitis is characterized by intense itching, a papular rash without blistering elements, absence of pain and symmetry of skin lesions in children.

Diagnosis of recurrent chickenpox in children is often difficult due to the atypical course of herpes zoster, which is not characterized by rashes. In such situations, signs of complications may come to the fore - encephalitis, serous meningitis, paresis or paralysis.

Risk factors

As a rule, herpetic rashes in newborns occur 7-10 days after infection. Moreover, the disease often affects only certain parts of the body (for example, the eyes), while all other areas remain healthy.

The duration of the disease in this case is 10-15 days. Unlike adult patients, small children are extremely difficult to tolerate herpes zoster (premature children suffer the most from herpes).

As practice shows, 70% of children develop severe complications as a result of a herpetic infection. As for children of school and senior preschool age, in this case the disease develops only with a strong decrease in immunity. That is why patients at risk for the disease are those who:

• often suffer from colds;
• have chronic diseases of internal organs;
• suffer from cancer;
• recently underwent an organ transplant;
• infected with HIV.

After a child has chickenpox, the virus will remain in his body forever. However, the number of viral particles in a healthy person is very small, since the body that has had herpes once constantly produces antibodies that kill the virus and thus prevent it from multiplying.

All this time, single viral particles are in an inactive state in the nerve ganglia of the brain and spinal cord (immunity cannot eliminate the virus that is inside the cell).

However, with a strong decrease in immunity, the virus is activated and increases its reproduction. It is for this reason that shingles is more often diagnosed in children over 10 years of age. If a healthy child comes into contact with someone who has shingles, the child will most likely develop chickenpox.

Source: papillomy.com

Causes of the disease

The causes of herpes zoster lie in the penetration of the type 3 virus into the body, which first causes chickenpox.
After a child has had chickenpox, his body produces antibodies that control the infection until a certain point. A healthy person may never experience a recurrence of the virus, but for those who have problems with the immune system, reactivation of herpes can occur quite quickly. The virus is contained in the latent stage by T-lymphocytes, which can weaken due to:

1. chronic infections or serious viral diseases, which often affect children attending kindergarten or school;
2. autoimmune diseases;
3. presence of HIV or AIDS;
4. malignant lesions of internal organs or skin;
5. fractures and injuries that help reduce the body's defenses;
6. hypothermia or overheating.

In an infant, shingles may appear if a pregnant woman experiences the disease in the 3rd trimester - the infection penetrates the placenta or during breastfeeding with mother's milk.

After infection, the first signs of the virus will appear in the baby a week after infection in the form of a blistering rash on the skin between the ribs, on the mucous membranes of the lips and nose.

The source of the disease is the person himself. Shingles is caused by herpes viruses. Most often, the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, affecting people with reduced immunity and disorders of the nervous system (in most cases, men).

Also, the causes of this disease are diseases of the stomach, circulatory system, infectious diseases, and hereditary predisposition. Typically, children under 11 years of age do not get shingles. They can get the infection from an adult who has herpes zoster, but will get chickenpox.

After the disease, children develop immunity that prevents chickenpox infection in the future.

Source: herpess.ru

Clinical manifestations

Shingles tends to present unexpectedly. A child may feel great the day before, but wake up in the morning with severe pain and other equally unpleasant symptoms. The main symptoms of the disease appear as:

• Rashes that look like a scattering of bubbles with watery contents inside. The appearance of the rash is preceded by pain or itching in the area where shingles will soon appear. Around day 3, the bubbles increase and spread throughout the tissue. Then, on the 5th day, the bubbles burst and a cloudy liquid flows out of them, which should not be touched due to its strong contagiousness. After the rash opens, a crust forms, under which wet sores or wounds form. The wounds may bleed a little after they are damaged or the top crust is removed.
• Very severe pain. Herpes zoster causes severe pain in a person, which interferes with living, sleeping and leading a normal lifestyle. These pains are unbearable for an adult, and even harder for a small child to bear. That is why treatment of this form of herpes is indicated, which includes the mandatory use of painkillers.
• Increased body temperature. The temperature may rise even before signs of infection appear on the skin. It can be quite high and reach 40°C.
• Severe itching. If lichen appears in the lumbar region, the itching and pain may be acute, shooting in nature. Sometimes it can be confused with the manifestation of radiculitis, osteochondrosis, etc.
• Intoxication and dehydration of the body. Nausea, vomiting, and bowel dysfunction may occur.
• Weakness, severe malaise.
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin, neck and armpits.
• Moodiness, anxiety. The child refuses to eat and cries, which is associated with the unpleasant painful symptoms of the disease.

Source: bezpapillom.ru

Symptoms

In children, symptoms of shingles do not appear immediately. The development of the infection itself is slow, but the rash in the affected area of ​​the body appears instantly, and then rapidly develops and spreads. Before the onset of the acute period of the disease in children, as a rule, shingles is confused with ARVI or acute respiratory infections.

Light form

In this situation, children experience symptoms of a mild form of herpes zoster, which have the following symptoms:

1. chills;
2. increased body temperature;
3. general malaise;
4. enlarged lymph nodes;
5. numbness and tingling, as well as burning and itching in the affected area;
6. pain along the affected nerves;
7. in the affected area, compactions form and red papules appear;
8. lack of appetite.

Papules, about 0.5 cm in size, tend to be closely located to each other, develop quickly and, after moving around, group.

The clear liquid contained in the papules becomes more cloudy after 2-3 days. With a timely and correct approach to the treatment of herpes zoster in children, after 6-7 days the ulcers begin to dry out.

In place of the ulcers, dry erosions form and then disappear. In some cases, small swellings of regional lymph nodes are recorded.

Severe form

A severe form of herpes zoster in a child occurs with the following symptoms:

• epidermolysis bullosa - characterized by the formation of blisters and erosions on the mucous membranes and skin;
• hemorrhagic fever - an acute disease of viral etiology and the formation of bloody fluid in the blisters;
• gangrenous - leading to the destruction of skin tissue, characterized by the formation of a black scab (dry crust) in place of the vesicles, after which ulcers form.

Herpes zoster tends to manifest itself along the nerve zones, especially in the area of ​​the intercostal and ternary nerves.

When shingles in children, as a rule, the areas of the skin that are connected to the central nervous system of human organs are most often affected. Sometimes the limbs are affected. Most often the disease process is one-sided.

Source: herpess.ru

Folk remedies for herpes

All traditional medicine is good together with basic drug treatment, and not instead of it. It is important to take this into account when it comes to such a serious disease as herpes zoster in children. First of all, traditional healers offer pain-relieving compresses and vitamin recipes to strengthen the immune system.

To relieve pain during illness, you can use a simple and effective compress of apple cider vinegar. A piece of clean cloth must be moistened with it and applied to the herpes formations.

A cocktail of carrot juice, applesauce and beet leaves will surely please all children. Add a little chopped fresh parsley to this tasty and healthy drink. It should be consumed little by little throughout the day.

During treatment, it will be useful to follow a diet. You should limit your consumption of sweets and foods that promote the proliferation of viruses (almonds, peanuts, chocolate). Fish, beef, chicken, potatoes, natural dairy products, and most fruits will benefit.

Treatment

If you independently identify specific signs of infection in children, you should contact your pediatrician. The attending physician, after conducting a visual examination of the child, will order certain laboratory tests. Based on the results obtained, the doctor will make an appropriate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

An important factor in a quick recovery is timely treatment of herpes zoster in children. It is advisable to diagnose and begin to treat herpes zoster in the first days of infection, at the moment when the first symptoms become noticeable. For mild forms of the disease, drug treatment usually lasts about a week.

For treatment at home, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Vitamin intramuscular (vitamins B, C, P) and tablet complex. The clinic prescribes physiotherapy – ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis, sollux.

Let's take a closer look at drugs for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by the herpes zoster virus (Herpes zoster is shingles). Antiviral drugs:

1. Metisazon - tablets. Suppresses the multiplication (reproduction) of the smallpox virus, has a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of herpes zoster.
2. Acyclovir - tablets, ointment, cream, powder, lyophilisate. Treatment and prevention of recurrence of herpes zoster infections in the skin and mucous membranes. As a rule, the drug is well tolerated.
3. Interferon - injections. The drug is used for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. Should be used at the first signs of the disease. Significantly reduces the duration of the period of herpes zoster.
4. Famciclovir, Valacyclovir - block the replication of the virus. Relieves the severity of symptoms. It is possible to reduce the risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia, which often occurs after herpes zoster.

Antiseptics and painkillers:

• Salicylic acid (antiseptic) - ointment, paste. The products are intended for external use to soften and remove the outer layer of skin. Apply a thin layer to the affected areas, rub into painful areas.
• Prozerin (painkiller) - powder, tablets. It is used during the recovery period after suffering from herpes zoster. Use for children is possible only according to the recommendation of the attending physician.
• Ibuprofen (painkiller) – tablets, capsules, gel, suppositories, suspension, ointments. To relieve moderate pain and fever. It is also intended for symptomatic therapy. Indicated for children over 6 years of age. Children under 12 years of age should not use it without consulting a specialist.

To summarize, it is worth recalling that herpes zoster is a disease that is directly related to neurology. If with chickenpox we primarily treat skin symptoms, then the treatment of herpes zoster should be taken more seriously. But still, children, most often, tolerate herpes zoster much easier than adults, and even more so older people.

Source: herpess.ru

Drug treatment of the disease

Comprehensive treatment of herpes zoster should be carried out. First of all, treatment with effective antiviral drugs that can destroy the herpes virus and eliminate pain is necessary.

The drug "Metisazon" has proven itself well. It must be taken orally for a week, 20 mg of the drug per 1 kg of the patient’s body weight.

Antiviral synthetic acyclic drugs such as Valaciclovir, Acyclovir, and Famciclovir have shown excellent results. They should be taken throughout the week. With extreme caution, rashes should be treated with Acyclovir, as it has a number of contraindications. It is allowed to be taken only after consultation with a specialist.

For severe pain, it is recommended to use the drugs “Pirilen” and “Gangleron”. Their effectiveness occurs a few days after the start of treatment.

Very often, with herpes zoster, after the rash disappears, patients continue to experience pain for several months. Here, the analgesic drugs “Aspirin”, “Paracetamol”, “Analgin” and Butadione ointment will be effective in treatment.

When treating shingles, traditional medicine will be more effective, especially after the rash begins to appear significantly on the skin. Sometimes, for severe pain, Gabapentin and anticonvulsants are used.

For moderate and severe forms of the disease, Zovirax is prescribed intravenously, 200 ml 5 times a day for a week.

Source: dermatitanet.ru

Complications of the disease

If there is an immunodeficiency or other serious illness, the child may develop a severe form of herpes zoster. In these cases, the pathological process spreads to other organs and systems of the body.

In addition to medications, chamomile baths are recommended for children with herpes zoster.

Possible complications in children with herpes zoster:

1. Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is an infection of the superior branch of the trigeminal nerve (orbital nerve). The rash is localized on the face. The disease is accompanied by a risk of damage to the iris (iridocyclitis).
2. Unilateral peripheral paralysis of the facial muscles (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome). The pathology is accompanied by rashes in the nasopharynx and external auditory canal, severe ear pain, headache, and dizziness. Hearing may be significantly impaired.
3. Herpes zoster with movement disorders is a lesion of the muscle segments of the striated muscles of the body. May be accompanied by muscle weakness and partial paralysis of the diaphragm. The main localization of the rash is the shoulder and neck.

Diseases that may develop in children against the background of herpes zoster:

• meningitis;
• encephalitis;
• myelitis;
• conjunctivitis;
• stomatitis;
• paresis of arms, legs;
• acute myopathy;
• disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system (urinary disorders);
• intestinal obstruction.

Fortunately, neuralgic complications of herpes zoster in children are quite rare. However, any ailment indicating a complicated course of the disease should be treated in a hospital setting. Timely therapy prevents the development of most complications.

ethnoscience

Most people suffer from this disease, so do not despair. Shingles can be cured using traditional medicine.

Folk remedies are a great help in the fight against shingles. Wormwood will help destroy the virus. It is recommended to use it in the form of a tincture.

It is necessary to moisten a piece of napkin or gauze, make a compress and apply for 20 minutes several times a day to sore spots. After this, it is recommended to rub castor oil into the skin.

If an edematous rash occurs, treatment should be performed using a soda-salt mixture. In the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons of soda and salt should be mixed until the consistency of sour cream and lubricated on sore spots 3 times a day.

Garlic tincture with castor oil has proven itself well. To prepare it, you need to pour 100 g of chopped garlic into a glass of castor oil and heat it in the oven for 3 hours at 50-70ᵒ. Then cool and strain. Apply as an ointment several times daily to areas affected by shingles.

It is good to lubricate the rash areas with tar or garlic juice in the morning. An ointment made from willow leaves will help effectively combat shingles. To prepare it, you need to burn the dry leaves, mix the ashes with 9% vinegar to the consistency of sour cream. Apply to sore areas 3 times a day.

Burdock tea will help get rid of the virus that causes shingles. 1 teaspoon of common burdock is poured into 100 g of boiling water, infused for an hour and drunk ¼ cup 4 times a day.

Additionally, when treating shingles, salt iodized and starch baths are recommended. They should be taken alternating every other day.

Gerpevir ointment has received good reviews, which is recommended for lubricating damaged skin. Inflamed blisters must be constantly smeared with a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, and flaky crusts must be smeared with erythromycin ointment.

If your skin feels painful, you can apply ice to it for a few minutes. In case of illness, additional intake of vitamin C, zinc and other multivitamins will improve the condition of the immune system.

In severe form, against the background of elevated temperature, herpetic infection and deterioration in general health, the disease spreads to other systems and organs.

Source: herpesmed.ru

Complications

If you do not treat herpes on time or do it incorrectly, the patient can expect the following consequences:

1. inflammation of the meninges;
2. necrotizing myelopathy;
3. neuralgia;
4. inflammation of the spinal cord;
5. paralysis.

In children who are carriers of HIV infection, herpetic rashes can occur not only on the skin, but also on internal organs.

Shingles attacks nerve branches, causing paralysis. Sometimes it appears as a one-sided rim, most of which is located in the upper part of the person's torso.

Complications from internal organs, neuralgia, paralysis of peripheral and cranial nerves, encephalitis, hepatitis, inflammation of the lungs and bladder are also observed.

Neuralgia resulting from the disease is a severe burning pain in the form of “lumbago” in the direction of the nerve trunk.

After shingles, young children may be left with unpleasant consequences of the disease, including hearing loss and neuralgia. Complications of lichen in children after treatment include:

• cardiovascular pathologies – myocarditis, tachycardia;
• hearing loss, tinnitus;
• deviation in the functioning of the nervous system;
• pathologies of sensitivity and movement;
• infectious pneumonia;
• brain infections - meningitis;
• vision pathologies.

Any consequences of deprivation appear against the background of a weakened immune system, therefore restorative treatment allows them to be prevented and preserve not only the life of the child, but also the normal functioning of internal organs.

Among all the consequences of this disease, pain persists after healing, which lasts about a month. Such pain is called postherpetic neuralgia, and it occurs in 25% of cases.

Postherpetic neuralgia is the most severe complication that occurs after the rash disappears from the body. It is accompanied by pain that lasts for weeks, and in severe cases, months.

If people have concomitant bacterial infections, suppuration is often found at the site of the rash, which after treatment leaves visible scars on the skin.

It is very difficult to treat such damage. Sometimes a deep scar left on the skin of the face does not look aesthetically pleasing and requires plastic surgery.

Very often, concomitant neuralgia can affect any of the nerves of the human body, leaving severe consequences, including disability.

Source: papillomy.com

Possible complications after the disease

In cases where the disease is advanced or the treatment method was incorrectly prescribed, the herpes virus can provoke post-traumatic neuralgia, transverse myelitis developing into paralysis or meningitis. Children diagnosed with HIV with shingles are susceptible to damage to all internal organs.

Worth understanding! Herpes is a complex disease that is accompanied only by skin rashes. This is a rather complex viral disease that can lead to unpleasant consequences. Therefore, it should be taken especially seriously. At the first manifestations of herpes zoster in a child, you should contact your pediatrician for immediate treatment.

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Forecast

All forms of herpes zoster, except encephalitic, have a favorable prognosis.
Only people with weakened immune systems get sick again. Most patients experience prolonged segmental and widespread pain, the duration of which is determined by the patient’s state of health and ranges from several months to six months. Other significant symptoms that persist over a long period of time are uncommon. Source: dermatitanet.ru

Prevention

Preventive methods include measures that increase the body's defenses.
If the disease occurs in older people, as a preventative measure they are advised to move actively and spend more time in the fresh air. No special anti-epidemic measures are carried out in the affected area. Taking vitamins and decoctions of medicinal herbs prevents the development of the herpes virus and promotes rapid recovery.

In order to prevent the onset of symptoms and subsequent treatment of herpes zoster in children, effective prevention is needed. It is necessary even in cases where the child’s immune system is impeccable. The virus can enter the body, but it will not harm the child. Strengthening preventive measures are carried out in the form of:

1. hardening (shower, air and sun baths);
2. walks in nature;
3. physical education classes;
4. healthy night's sleep;
5. balanced nutrition.

With all this, the question of whether shingles is contagious for children or not always remains relevant, since this viral disease poses a danger to both children and adults.

Source: zKozha.ru

Diagnosis of the disease

Clinical data and characteristic symptoms allow specialists to easily identify the disease. However, in children, herpes zoster must be laboratory confirmed. The final diagnosis is based on the results of the following studies:

• immunofluorescence reaction (RIF) - detection of infectious agents in areas of skin lesions;
• Complement fixation reaction (FFR) - detection of antibodies to the zoster virus in blood serum;
• enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) - qualitative or quantitative determination of infectious agents in 1 ml of blood.

Parents should remember that the appearance of herpes zoster in a child may indicate serious disturbances in the functioning of the body, so additional research may be required to determine the true cause of the sharp decrease in immunity.

If immunodeficiency is suspected, it is recommended to donate venous blood for an immunogram - a set of studies of the main indicators of a person’s immune status (number of leukocytes, B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, level of immunoglobulins, etc.).

Once diagnosed, the child should be quarantined for 14-21 days.