How many days does chickenpox last: incubation period, stages

How many days does chickenpox last: incubation period, stages
How many days does chickenpox last: incubation period, stages
Anonim

There is a list of diseases that, probably, according to some specific laws, every person is simply obliged to get sick in his life. Chickenpox is one of them.

chickenpox incubation period
chickenpox incubation period

About chicken pox

It is worth noting that chickenpox is the popular name for a disease such as chickenpox. This disease is considered contagious, it is caused by the herpes virus of the third type, which in medicine is also called herpes zoster. This disease can overtake any person, because it is believed that everyone is 100% susceptible to the primary stage of this virus. Why is the disease called "chicken pox"? Those who believe that this is a kind of natural smallpox will be deeply mistaken. The opinion is erroneous, by the way, it was also inherent in medieval doctors, who concluded that this disease was smallpox. The windmill was named because of the instantaneous spread and rapid defeat of many people.

About illness

How long does chickenpox last? The incubation period, according to medical professionals, is 10-23 days. However, most often it is 13-17 days. This is an average indicator that is inherent in most patients. It is worth noting that the disease itself is divided into several periods. Interestingly, even several years can pass between the stages of the disease. Both a child (which happens more often) and an adult can get sick with a primary virus. However, the course of the disease in adults is much more severe than in children. The average age of a child with chickenpox is 4-7 years. This virus is also difficult to pass and is cured in infants and toddlers who have contracted herpes zoster in utero.

when chickenpox is not contagious
when chickenpox is not contagious

Infection stage

Infection with the virus occurs by airborne droplets from a person who is a carrier of the infection. Varicella zoster (herpes virus) is attached to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and begins to multiply actively. This period lasts approximately 2 weeks. This is the time when chickenpox is not contagious. After some time, this virus gradually begins to penetrate into the blood, the moment comes, and the body begins to respond to such foreign interference. General weakness, fever may appear, but there is no rash yet. This is a rather short period (1-2 days), but the patient is already a threat to others, he is contagious.

Next step

Knowing how long chickenpox lasts (the incubation period is 2-3 weeks), it is worth considering the stage when the rash begins to appear. After all, it is then that a person is diagnosed with this disease. The rash itself appears after the chickenpox virus infects the skin. Very rare, but there are times when this does not happen, and it is very difficult to diagnose chickenpox. At this stage, the patient is contagious to others.

how many days is chicken pox contagious
how many days is chicken pox contagious

Recovery phase

How long can chickenpox itself last? The incubation period is 13-17 days, and if a person has a he althy and strong immune system, then over 5-7 days the rashes gradually stop, the patient already feels good, an active stage of recovery is underway. It is worth noting that in people who have had chickenpox, the virus remains in the body forever.

Recurrent acute stage

If a person has a weak immune system, a disease such as chickenpox may last a little longer. The incubation period will be longer than the average. Depending on which nerve is affected, there may be rashes in the armpit, near the abdomen. Only now the virus will be called shingles. At this time, the patient is also contagious to others.

About timing

Summing up, I would like to clarify how many days chickenpox is contagious. A person is dangerous to others, starting from the first symptoms (fever, weakness), the entire period of skin rashes and five days after the disappearance of all complaints and a relative external recovery.

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