Symptoms and treatment of chickenpox encephalitis in children

1 Who is at risk of contracting

? Initially, it is impossible to predict which of the children will get wind chicken encephalitis when they become infected with chickenpox. Everything depends on the stability of the immune system. Therefore, it is so important to monitor the overall health of the child, especially when infected with chickenpox. With her first symptoms, it is necessary to additionally support the baby's body and its immunity with the help of special means, which the pediatrician advises.

In children of the first year of life, such complications do not appear. In their body, maternal antibodies are still present, and they help to transfer the virus infection as quickly and simply as possible. If the child's mother did not suffer from chickenpox, then the disease will be somewhat more complicated, but all the same, there is no development of varicella encephalitis.

2 Signs and development of the disease

The most dangerous period is considered to be the first days of the illness, since then all complications can appear.

Initially, a patient can only have cough, a sore throat and a runny nose, which is perceived as a common cold. Therefore, it is first of all to pay attention to the appearance of the rashes. Often they have some differences from chickenpox, namely, affect more extensive skin areas, in addition, there are pustules.

The main symptoms are as follows:

1. A very severe headache that locates in the occiput or covers the entire skull. Even minor movements of the head provoke an increase in the pain syndrome.
2. A sharp decrease in appetite or a complete refusal to eat. Sometimes the patient does not even want to drink, which can trigger dehydration.
3. Unreasonable vomiting.
4. Possible inadequate behavior. The child can show aggression, after which the sleepiness sharply begins.
5. The muscle tone decreases, and this can lead to speech disturbance.

Many symptoms are similar to meningitis, since there are abnormalities in the brain, namely, its swelling.

In the early days there may be hallucinations, and the child is in a delirious state. The gait is shaky, and in the extremities appears tremor. This indicates a complete intoxication of the body. Without the need for treatment, the patient can fall into a coma, and there is a likelihood of a lethal outcome.

If the body temperature is high enough, and then drops sharply without the use of special medications, this indicates a possible stroke, which is a complication of encephalitis. There may be visual impairment, since in the course of the disease, the optic nerves are sometimes damaged.

It is very important after convalescence to conduct a complete diagnosis of the organism in order to avoid and prevent the development of possible consequences.

3 Diagnostic methods

Ventricular encephalitis can be diagnosed exclusively in clinical settings. Blisters that form with chicken pox are filled with liquid. It contains the maximum amount of the virus. To confirm the possibility of encephalitis, the contents of the vesicle are studied in the laboratory.

The cerebrospinal fluid, which contains the greatest number of viruses, if an infection is present, is also performed. This is a painful procedure, but such a diagnosis allows you to accurately establish the correct diagnosis. At the same time, the patient's blood is analyzed, in which bacteria can be found.

Computerized tomography of the brain is a must. It allows you to accurately determine the presence of foci of inflammation and possible hemorrhage. All these medical measures are aimed at diagnosing the disease as soon as possible and immediately begin treatment.

4 Treatment actions

After confirming the chickenpox encephalitis, the child must be admitted to the infectious department. It is under constant surveillance, as at any time a sharp deterioration in the condition may occur and emergency care will be required.

Patient is prescribed a bed rest and preparations aimed at eliminating a viral infection. To remove cerebral edema, intensive therapy is carried out, and special preparations are prescribed to improve blood circulation. The introduction of such medications occurs under the strict supervision of the attending physician, since the likelihood of developing an allergic reaction is high.

To maintain the general tone of the body and to prevent possible dehydration, glucose is injected and try to observe the drinking regimen.

After the illness, the child is observed by a pediatrician and a neurologist. In addition, a full examination is recommended for all specialists of a narrow profile for timely diagnosis of possible consequences. Examinations are carried out every 6 months. The child can be removed from the register only after 2 years with no residual consequences.

The only preventive measure is to isolate the baby from sick with smallpox chickenpox of children, as well as to carry out permanent measures aimed at strengthening the immune system. At the first symptoms of the disease, immediate consultation of the pediatrician is necessary.