Indications for vaccination
Vaccination is recommended for adult patients:
- for pathologies of internal organs of a chronic nature in the stage of decompensation and subcompensation;
- for acute leukemia and other malignant formations;
- with long-term treatment with immunosuppressants that reduce the body's protective functions;
- during a course of radiation therapy;
- before organ transplantation.
Immunization of children occurs at the age of one year. There is no point in doing this in an earlier period. If the mother had chickenpox before pregnancy, the antibodies will enter the baby's body along with the milk.
Children are vaccinated only if they have not had chickenpox. Vaccination is required when registering for kindergarten or camp. By getting vaccinated in infancy, the child is protected from the disease itself and its complications.
Vaccination is indicated when planning pregnancy (at least three months before fertilization). If infection with a pathogen occurs during pregnancy, this can lead to serious complications: miscarriage, infection of the embryo, problems with intrauterine development.
Principles and purposes of vaccination
Today, chickenpox (chickenpox) is one of the most contagious and common infections in the world - almost all children or young adults get it. Other than vaccination, there are no countermeasures to control the spread of chickenpox or the incidence of shingles in a susceptible community. Administering chickenpox and other vaccines at the same time to a person at different sites and using different syringes is as safe and effective as administering the same vaccines several weeks apart.
However, in order to induce the same immune response as in the case of a monovalent vaccine, the dose of the varicella component must be increased (if included in a tetravalent vaccine in combination with a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine). From the point of view of logistics and the epidemiological situation, the optimal age for chickenpox vaccination in children is 12-24 months.
Are there any contraindications
Categorical contraindications:
- acute infectious lesions;
- relapse of chronic pathologies;
- mild intestinal and respiratory infections (done a month after the clinical picture disappears);
- meningitis and other pathologies of nervous tissue (performed 6 months after treatment);
- AIDS;
- oncological diseases;
- treatment with corticosteroids;
- preparation for surgery, postoperative period;
- intolerance to vaccine components;
- use of immunoglobulins and blood products 6 months before vaccination.
Relative restrictions in use:
- chronic pathologies of the cardiovascular system, liver, kidneys;
- high likelihood of seizures;
- weak immunity;
- allergic reaction to other vaccines.
In such pathological conditions, immunization is possible, but requires permission and supervision from a doctor.
How is chickenpox treated?
Chickenpox is treated at home. The exception is complicated cases or a very severe course of the disease - such a patient is sent to a hospital.
Therapeutic measures consist mainly of treating the rash with agents that accelerate the drying of the blisters, relieve itching, and prevent the penetration of bacterial infection. This is, for example, “brilliant green” or a solution of “potassium permanganate”. Depending on the condition and severity of symptoms, the attending physician may prescribe medications for oral administration:
- antipyretics;
- antihistamines;
- painkillers;
- anti-inflammatory.
In some cases, antibacterial and/or antiviral medications are required.
ATTENTION! You cannot prescribe medications yourself - some medications can increase the symptoms of chickenpox!
Among the physical therapy methods, the doctor may prescribe UV irradiation procedures (during the recovery stage).
Why is vaccination necessary?
Vaccination is performed to produce antibodies to the third type of herpes virus, which causes the disease. Thanks to this, the human body will be able to resist pathogens even when in contact with an infected person.
The vaccine is not included in the national vaccination schedule. Therefore it is not free. However, it is recommended for everyone to do it. The positive result that a person receives from it pays for the cost. Vaccination is recommended for employees of kindergartens and schools. Chickenpox outbreaks are more likely to occur in these facilities.
Chickenpox vaccine in adults
If a person has reached adulthood without having had chickenpox in childhood, vaccination is strongly recommended. To find out whether a patient has had chickenpox, a blood test for antibodies, which should be detected in the event of a previous illness, helps.
It is especially important for the following categories of citizens who have not had chickenpox to get vaccinated:
- couples planning pregnancy, especially expectant mothers;
- employees of preschool and educational institutions, as well as medical personnel;
- persons taking immunosuppressants.
To ensure the emergence of stable immunity, vaccination of adults is carried out in two stages. There should be six to thirteen weeks between vaccinations.
Types of vaccines
In the Russian Federation, vaccination with two types of drugs against smallpox is allowed: Okavax, Varilrix. Medicines are produced abroad and are expensive. Immunization is carried out at the request of guardians or parents in specialized licensed clinics.
The composition of the drugs includes herpes virus type 3. However, it is so weak that it is not able to provoke an outbreak of infection. The immune system responds to the penetration of pathogens and produces antibodies to them. The body is able to resist the virus, even many years after vaccination.
Okavax is produced by Sanofi Pasteur from France, and Varilrix is produced by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals from Belgium. The effectiveness of both vaccines is approximately the same. They differ in the chickenpox vaccination schedule. The doctor selects the medication based on the availability of the drug and the patient’s convenience.
How the disease manifests itself: symptoms
There are four periods during chickenpox.
Period one
– incubation (hidden). Lasts from 10 days to three weeks. At this time, the virus actively reproduces. There are no visible manifestations of the disease.
Period two
– prodromal. This period is characterized by deterioration in health. Viral bodies undermine local immunity and enter the bloodstream in large quantities, which leads to headaches, refusal to eat, and pain in the muscles. Typically, the prodromal period lasts several hours, so for most patients it goes unnoticed. Basically, it is typical for adults, in whom it can last up to two days.
Period three
- period of rashes. A pathogenic infection spreads throughout the body through the blood and lymph and is localized in the cells of the mucous membranes and skin. A rash appears - the main sign of chickenpox.
THIS IS INTERESTING! The chicken pox rash looks like chicken pimples. Therefore, in English the disease sounds like “chicken pox,” which translates as “chicken rash.”
The rash spreads throughout the body, including the face and scalp, and is accompanied by fever and deterioration.
Chickenpox symptoms:
- rash;
- itching;
- increase in body temperature to 38˚-39˚ (sometimes higher);
- fever;
- pain in the head, muscles;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- lack of appetite;
- weakness.
The rash consists of blisters filled with clear liquid, which gradually dry out (after 3-6 days) and turn into crusts. From time to time, “sleeps” are observed - new bubbles appear, during which the state of health worsens again.
Period four
– recovery period. The rashes stop, the existing blisters become covered with crusts, the general condition improves - the person ceases to be contagious.
It should be noted that in severe cases of the disease, rashes can be localized on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, eyes, nasal cavity, and pharynx. The palms and soles become infected in rare cases.
IMPORTANT! If a person’s immune system is weakened to a significant extent, then chickenpox can manifest itself in a generalized (general) form, affecting the tissues of the nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.
On average, the duration of the illness is about three weeks.
Vaccine administration method
The vaccine is administered to a healthy patient by a medical professional with special clearance. A specialist passes exams annually to obtain it. It is impossible to vaccinate yourself on an outpatient basis.
The drug must be in the refrigerator and not expired. The injection kit includes a dry substance with an active element - lyophilisate and purified water. The solution is prepared in a dark room. Exposure to ultraviolet rays is unacceptable. The drug should not be stored in already prepared form.
The injection is administered under the skin. Most often, the injection is placed in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. This reduces the likelihood of adverse reactions. The vaccine can also be injected under the shoulder blade, in the outer part of the thigh. The medication is not used intravenously.
The patient spends half an hour in the hospital after the event. Doctors monitor the manifestations of allergic reactions and give recommendations on the regimen during the post-vaccination period.
How to distinguish chickenpox from other infectious diseases
A number of diseases have symptoms similar to chickenpox: intoxication and rash. How to distinguish chickenpox from other infections? Some nuances of differential diagnosis are given below:
Rubella.
The rash appears in small spots and goes away quickly. Intoxication is mild or moderate. Enlarged lymph nodes on the back of the head and back of the neck.
Scarlet fever.
Skin rashes appear immediately in the form of small dots. The skin on the fingers of the upper and lower extremities, as well as on the palms and soles, peels. Severe inflammation of the throat. The tongue is crimson.
Measles.
Rash in the form of spots that can merge. The rash begins on the face and gradually moves down the body.
Menigococcus.
Rashes in the form of “stars” with bruising may merge.
Allergy.
Rashes of various types. Itching. No intoxication. The rash occurs periodically after contact with an allergen.
Vaccination validity period
Immunity to herpes virus type 3 is formed 6 weeks after administration of the drug. However, vaccination cannot provide a 100% guarantee that infection with a pathogen will not occur. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of infection by 95-98% and the risk of chickenpox complications.
According to the manufacturing companies, the validity period of the drugs is 30 years. This was proven by studies conducted 20 years ago. Antigens to pathogenic microorganisms were found in vaccinated people. Therefore, vaccination is usually done 1-2 times throughout a lifetime.
Can there be complications?
In most cases, chickenpox occurs in an uncomplicated form without any negative consequences. However, there are exceptions. Among the complications of infection, the development of such pathological conditions and disorders as:
- pneumonia;
- bacterial skin lesions, leading to the development of purulent skin lesions that leave cosmetic defects;
- encephalitis;
- meningitis and others.
Rarely, chickenpox leads to the development of inflammatory processes in the joints, organs of vision or hearing, kidneys, liver, and heart muscle.
In general, with a mild course of the disease, the prognosis is favorable. Both the recovery process itself and the consequences of infection depend on the state of immunity, age, the presence of concomitant diseases and other factors. Complications are most often typical for older people and young children.
Adverse reactions
From the second to the third week after vaccination, delayed general reactions may appear; there is no need for special treatment, they go away on their own:
- slight increase in temperature;
- general malaise;
- rare rashes resembling chickenpox, accompanied by itching;
- enlarged lymph nodes.
Side effects:
- herpes zoster;
- brain inflammation;
- deterioration of sensitivity;
- decreased platelet levels;
- pain in large joints.
According to WHO, such manifestations occur in fifteen out of one million people. If you experience unfavorable symptoms, you should consult a doctor for help.
Features of chickenpox in adults
Adults, unlike children, suffer from chickenpox more severely. If a person has not had chickenpox before and/or has not been vaccinated, the disease lasts longer and often leads to complications. The rash can last up to 10 days, and the body temperature can rise to 39˚–40˚.
If the disease occurred in childhood, then re-infection can provoke the development of another severe pathology. The fact is that in almost 20% of those who have recovered from the infection, the infection does not disappear, but is “stored” in the nodes of the nervous system. As soon as conditions favorable for it occur, it manifests itself in the form of herpes zoster (herpes).
ON A NOTE! In 2021, statistics on herpes zoster were introduced in Russia for the first time. This is due to an increase in the number of cases of the disease among adults, as well as reported cases in children (which itself is a rare occurrence).
In addition, in adulthood, metabolic processes slow down, and the ability of skin cells to restore and renew decreases. Therefore, in older people, chickenpox can leave scars.
