Temperature with chickenpox in children: how long does it last, what and when to bring it down

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A disease such as chickenpox is characterized by an acute course, and infection occurs through airborne droplets. In this case, the skin becomes covered with a very itchy rash, and during its treatment, all rashes are treated with an alcohol solution of brilliant green.

This pathology refers to childhood infectious diseases, but this does not mean that an adult cannot get it. When considering the clinical course, it is better to undergo it in childhood, because in older people the body tolerates chickenpox more severely.

Causes of high temperature

Fever is one of the characteristic symptoms of a viral disease such as chickenpox. However, fever is not a necessary symptom of a viral infection. If the disease occurs in a mild, uncomplicated form, body temperature indicators often remain within normal limits.

Parents should not worry when their child's temperature rises due to chickenpox. This is how the body activates its defenses to fight pathogenic microorganisms - the Varicella Zoster virus, which is the causative agent of the disease. It actively develops in the body when the body temperature is below 37 degrees. When the indicators increase to 38, their own interferon begins to be actively produced, which fights the infectious agent.

Given this feature of the body, it is not recommended to lower the temperature below 38 degrees during chickenpox. Such actions deprive the body of the ability to independently overcome the disease and create favorable conditions for the further proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.

What medications should be used for the rash?

During chickenpox, a child feels such intense itching that he cannot control himself, even if he is told that he should not scratch.

Scratching the blisters is dangerous because they cause skin damage, the appearance of wounds and ulcers, which can become infected. This can cause serious complications, so you need to use remedies that reduce the risk of their occurrence.

• Antiseptics in solutions are often used with dyes to monitor the appearance of new bubbles. This is brilliant green, iodine tincture, silver nitrate solution and fucorcin.
• Products that reduce skin itching by having antihistamine properties. Children from 1 month can be given Fenistil and Suprastin, and over 2 years of age - Cetirizine and Loratadine. These are tablets.
• Use light herbal creams and ointments with an antihistamine component.
• Products with a combined effect: zinc ointment, which reduces itching and redness, having antiseptic properties, calamine, which also contains zinc.

These remedies will help the child overcome the chickenpox virus and prevent the development of complications. It is important to pay enough attention to the child and monitor his behavior. The quarantine period for chickenpox lasts about ten days after the last pimples appear. It is important that the child stays at home and has minimal contact with other people, as the disease is highly contagious. Infection of an adult can cause a process that will be very difficult, including hospitalization. Infection of a pregnant woman can cause fetal abnormalities or miscarriage. You need to remember this and protect your health and your loved ones.

On what day does the fever appear?

The appearance of fever occurs simultaneously with the formation of blistering rashes on the baby’s body. Shortly before this, children may complain of the following symptoms:

• headache;
• weakness;
• prostration;
• lack of appetite;
• worsening sleep;
• sore throat.

Parents can detect such signs 1-2 days after their child becomes infected with the infection.

Results

In most cases, both children and adults cannot escape the temperature associated with chickenpox. In addition, the intensity of the rash and the temperature reaction of the child’s body have a direct relationship: the more ulcers on the body, the higher the fever. Whether or not to reduce fever during chickenpox depends on many factors - first of all, focus on the child’s behavior. If the baby is active, there are no complaints of poor health and chills, you can do without an antipyretic. However, an increase in temperature to 40 degrees should also be excluded.

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How long does the fever last?

Fever is not a constant and stable symptom of chickenpox. The duration of the temperature period depends on the characteristics of the child’s body and the state of its immune system. It can last only a day and sometimes lasts for a week.

The duration of fever is determined by the severity of the disease. There are 3 forms of the disease:

1. Easy. The temperature fluctuates between 37-38 degrees and lasts for several days. If you follow the recommendations of specialists, the disease resolves without complications.
2. Moderate weight. This stage of chickenpox is most often seen in children. Body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees every time new rashes appear on the skin. The fever lasts about 4-5 days, then the child’s condition returns to normal.
3. Heavy. At this stage of chickenpox, the child’s body temperature rises to 39-40 degrees. The fever may rise 1-2 days after the rash appears on the body and lasts up to 10 days. Such a long temperature period is observed in cases of secondary infection.

When a baby's fever rises to 39 degrees, it may be accompanied by body cramps and trembling of the limbs. With such a high mark on the thermometer, you should call an ambulance to avoid the dangerous consequences of hyperthermia.

Prevention

Carrying out preventive measures allows you to increase the body's resistance to infection and carry out timely vaccinations in childhood. Well, if infection does occur, then the disease will be tolerated by the sick child much easier. This is why it is necessary to get vaccinated in a timely manner. And without the risk of developing severe somatic complications.

It is worth noting that at any age, strong immunity will prevent the development of the disease or it will proceed without pronounced clinical manifestations. And if you identify contact with a patient, you should monitor your condition.

When determining the symptoms of developing chickenpox and the presence of contact with a patient, it is better to come to an appointment with an infectious disease specialist, he will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Early initiation of effective treatment, especially for adults, will avoid the development of symptoms of severe intoxication of the body and complications.

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Complications of hyperthermia

When chickenpox occurs in children, hyperthermia often occurs - a sharp increase in body temperature to 38.5 degrees and above. These thermal changes place increased stress on the circulatory system, resulting in an increase in heart rate and respiration. This state of the body is a protective reaction to pathological changes, due to which the supply of oxygen to tissues is restored.

In cases where hyperthermia is observed for a long time, the child’s body cannot cope on its own, and hypoxia occurs. The central nervous system is the first to respond to oxygen starvation of the brain in the form of seizures. Hyperthermia is dangerous to the health and life of a child; at the first sign of it, you must seek medical help.

When to shoot down and when not to

When starting a course of medication treatment, you need to understand in which cases it is necessary to do it and in which it is not. Since an increase in temperature is the body’s natural response to infection, there is no need to take medications at levels of 37-37.5°C. If you lower the temperature, the course of the disease will be more severe. It is important to give the immune system the opportunity to remove the pathogen.

Taking antipyretics is indicated in the following cases:

1. If the thermometer readings rise above 38.5°C.
2. If a child develops complex seizures, there is a genetic predisposition. Under such circumstances, drugs are taken at values ​​of 37.5-38°C.
3. If the child begins to complain of feeling unwell, has a headache or is delirious in his sleep.
4. If the temperature indicators remain at the same level for more than 3 days.

Experts recommend abandoning antipyretic drugs if the child feels normal, there are no seizures, or chickenpox is noticed without fever.

Antipyretic drugs for chickenpox

In case of high fever, antipyretic drugs are prescribed to alleviate the patient's condition. Taking such medications relieves fever, reduces inflammation, relieves pain and speeds up recovery.

The drugs are available in the following pharmacological forms:

• suppositories;
• syrups;
• pills.

To reduce the temperature of chickenpox in children, rectal suppositories are used in pediatrics:

• Nurofen;
• Cefekon;
• Efferalgan;
• Panadol.

Suppositories can be used for 2-3 months. The effect of antipyretic drugs of this pharmacological form lasts longer than when using tablets and syrups. They put less stress on the liver, and the baby will not vomit or burp. However, if you need to quickly get rid of a fever, they are not suitable, since suppositories act slowly.

Syrups are used to urgently reduce temperature:

• Nurofen;
• Paracetamol;
• Panadol;
• Ibufen.

Syrups in pediatrics are used from three months to 12 years of age. They have a pleasant taste and fast action.

To reduce fever in children, it is preferable to use antipyretics based on paracetamol or ibuprofen. Medicines containing aspirin and analgin as the active ingredients are prohibited for use by patients under 12 years of age. They negatively affect the baby’s liver and digestive system and can cause disruption in their functioning.

Treatment of chickenpox in infants

Treatment of the disease is carried out at home. The exception is children with severe and complicated forms of the disease, as well as children at risk.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease is not difficult, since the disease is accompanied by well-recognized symptoms. The main diagnostic method is physical (examination, measuring the child’s temperature), taking into account the epidemiological situation.

Additional diagnostic methods can be used:

• virusoscopic;
• virological;
• molecular biology;
• serological.

Using these diagnostic methods, the pathogen, its quantity, and the presence of specific antibodies are clarified.

In severe cases of chickenpox, instrumental studies may be prescribed to determine the condition of the internal organs.

Drugs

Chickenpox in infants, which occurs in a mild form, does not require drug treatment. It is enough to carry out hygiene measures to prevent the entry of pathogenic microorganisms through scratching and damaged blisters.

Previously, brilliant green was used to disinfect and dry papules, which was used to spot-treat the child’s blisters. Today, brilliant green is used less frequently due to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms to the antimicrobial effect of the drug.

For the treatment of chickenpox the following is used:

• external products (ointments, gels) with a drying effect based on zinc (Curiosin gel, Zinc ointment, Desitin, Tsindol, Calamine);
• antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Viferon, Zovirax 5%);
• To relieve itching, Fenistil gel is recommended.

In children, the skin renews itself quickly and no traces of the stripped chickenpox blisters remain.

But if the skin damage is deep, then Contractubex or Mederma is used to prevent the formation of scars. White clay is recommended as an alternative remedy.

If the child’s condition is aggravated by high temperature (+38…+40°C), then antipyretic drugs are used: Ibuprofen (suppositories), Calpol, Ifimol, Nurofen (suspensions).

To increase immunity, it is recommended to use immunostimulants, for example, Groprinosin, which not only affects the baby’s immune system, but also has an antiviral effect.

Groprinosin has an antiviral effect on the baby’s immune system.

When rashes are localized in the oral cavity and pharynx, it is recommended to use rinsing or irrigation with antiseptic agents: a solution of Iodinol, Hexoral, Imudon, Tantum Verde. If the mucous membrane of the eyes is damaged, you should consult an ophthalmologist, because Chickenpox can cause severe damage to the eyes.

Preventive measures

The most effective method of preventing chickenpox infection is vaccination. This vaccination is mandatory for a one-year-old child; children under one year old are not given it. Vaccination of adults in contact with the baby will help prevent infection in infants.

The following preventive measures are applied:

• protecting the child from visits by strangers;
• isolation of sick family members;
• thorough cleaning of all objects surrounding the child: toys, bottles, pacifiers, dishes and hygiene items;
• thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises, ventilation.

The most effective method of preventing chickenpox infection is vaccination.

For the virus in the external environment, not only heat is harmful, but also exposure to ultraviolet rays. Sunlight kills pathogens within 10-15 minutes. In cloudy weather, it can be replaced with special quartz lamps.

Chickenpox without fever

It is possible that children develop chickenpox without fever; this is typical for mild forms of the disease. More often, this course of the disease is characteristic of children 2-7 years old.

If chickenpox develops without fever, it can be recognized by a characteristic rash on the body. The rashes look like small spots that quickly increase in size, with liquid contents inside. Chickenpox does not cause any particular discomfort without an increase in body temperature, except for itching at the sites of the rash.

What you shouldn't do to lower your child's temperature

This question is very important, because you can harm your child, even to the point of death. At the age of 2 to 7 years, the use of aspirin is strictly prohibited. It belongs to a number of drugs that have a hepatotoxic effect, which is especially dangerous when the immune system is reduced due to chickenpox.

The doctor should prescribe medications, taking into account the age and condition of the child.

Our usual herpes and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, that is, it is possible to use antiviral drugs, which can also have different strengths and side effects. It is advisable to treat chickenpox with them only in the first days when the virus multiplies. They are not needed in the further development of the disease.

Symptoms

Chickenpox is spread by airborne droplets. The latent period of the disease lasts from 10 to 21 days, starting from the moment of direct contact with a sick person.

A few days before the blisters begin to appear on the skin, your general health begins to deteriorate. In this case, there may be a slight rise in body temperature, and the child may complain of a headache. Gradually, the general malaise only intensifies.

No later than 48 hours later, the first rashes appear on the skin. Initially these are small flat spots of pink color. A little later, they turn into bubbles, the cavity of which is filled with a transparent liquid. Their appearance is accompanied by severe itching. The rashes themselves are accompanied by an increase in temperature, and it can be even higher than in the first days of the disease.

It should be noted that the bubbles disappear quite quickly, and in their place a hard brown crust forms. Chickenpox is characterized by a wave-like course, when the rash appears at certain time intervals. The rash is localized on the face, back, head, chest, as well as on the genitals and limbs.