Chickenpox Recurrent In Adults - Causes, Symptoms, Complications And Diagnosis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Chickenpox recurrent in adults

Chickenpox in an adult is considered a dangerous disease due to its severe course and high risk of complications. After a previous illness, in almost 100% of cases, persistent lifelong immunity is developed, but sometimes the disease can develop again, in the form of shingles. This is called a breakthrough infection. Shingles is the re-manifestation of chickenpox in adults.

The varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox), after recovery, remains in the nervous tissue of the human body for a long time, but sometimes, under the influence of predisposing factors, it is activated and becomes pathogenic, that is, it manifests itself in the form of a repeated disease. The reasons may be various stressful situations, severe nervous tension or the presence of chronic recurrent diseases that weaken the immune system.

Reasons for the development of chickenpox in adults

Shingles (herpes zoster), i.e. re-manifestation of chickenpox in adults is a viral infection, accompanied by the appearance of a rash and severe pain syndrome. The rash can appear on any part of the skin of the human body, but most often it manifests itself in the form of strips of small bubbles that encircle half of the body from back to chest.

Shingles is not as contagious as chickenpox. It is not transmitted by aerosol or airborne droplets, it does not become infected after communicating with a patient with chickenpox. The source of infection is the liquid contained in the vesicles.

But it should not be forgotten that a person who has not had chickenpox can become infected with the virus only through direct contact with the rash and he will get chickenpox. In the future, he can also transfer shingles. The disease is not extremely dangerous, but it proceeds with a pronounced pain syndrome.

Symptoms of the development of chickenpox repeatedly in adults

The first symptom of shingles is an increase in sensitivity or severe pain in some area of the skin, mainly on one side of the body. It can manifest itself in different ways: in the form of itching, tingling, burning. The pain can be intermittent or constant aching.

Two to three days after the onset of pain on the body, a multiple red rash appears in the form of bubbles, very often in the same place as the pain. The blisters fill with pus and crust over two weeks later. The rash goes away within two to three weeks after the crust falls off. In its place, scars may remain. In very rare cases, the appearance of a rash is not accompanied by pain.

Complications of chickenpox repeatedly in adults

Complications of herpes zoster of moderate severity can be in the form of various skin infections. Very serious complications include loss of vision and postherpetic neuralgia. If a blistering rash affects the skin in the eye area (ophthalmic herpes zoster), then it is very dangerous, since there is a high probability that the infection will attach and spread directly to the eye membranes, which can threaten with loss of vision.

Sometimes in patients, pain does not go away even after the rash disappears and persists for a rather long period of time. This disease is called postherpetic neuralgia. It is mainly observed in patients over 50 years old. Depending on which nerves were involved in the process, the following neurological problems may occur: hearing aids, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), facial nerve palsy, staggering when walking.

Re-diagnosing chickenpox in adults

When the first symptoms of shingles appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Only timely started treatment will help to avoid the development of complications and significantly alleviate your condition during illness.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of patient complaints and examination, in the presence of a characteristic rash, its localization, pain syndrome. Sometimes a piece of affected tissue or fluid from a bubble is taken for analysis.

Treatment and prevention of chickenpox repeatedly in adults

Shingles does not require any special treatment, but the disease can be much easier if medical attention is provided in the early stages. Appropriate symptomatic therapy should be started when nonspecific symptoms such as fever and chills appear.

Personal hygiene should be strictly followed to prevent skin infections. The skin must be kept dry and clean. It is not recommended to wear tight-fitting clothing made of synthetic fabrics. The patient needs to avoid skin irritation with mechanical action or creams and ointments containing antibiotics. When crusts form in place of the bubbles, it is best to cover them with a bandage to avoid infection. During the period of illness, physical activity should be avoided and try to appear in public places as little as possible.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".