Chicken pox

Development of the disease

It normally takes around 2 to 3 weeks between the infection and the first tangible and visible signs. During this period, the virus can multiply unnoticed. The disease then begins with a typical rash: Flat, red patches are formed and these can be scattered all over the body, in particular on the head and torso, later possibly also on the arms and legs. The mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, throat, genital area) are also typically affected.

Over the course of a few hours, the patches thicken to form small knots and then form blisters that are surrounded by reddened (inflamed) areas of skin. The blisters are filled with a clear watery fluid and easily tear open. There is moderate to intense itching as the blisters form. After a few days, crusts are formed that stick firmly to the skin and these are a sign that the disease is healing up.

Within the first 2 to 4 days further blisters develop. Their number varies greatly – from just a few up to hundreds of blisters.

As the blisters are formed in batches, all the development stages (reddening, blisters, crusts) can be seen after a while. The crusts fall off after 2 to 3 weeks. Scars are not formed unless the young patients start to scratch because of the intense itching. This should be avoided by all means. If bacteria penetrate into the scratched, open blisters through the fingernails, these can become inflamed, suppurate and then leave behind lasting scars as the disease heals up.

Chicken pox is frequently accompanied by excruciating itching, and in the first few days a high temperature can develop. Other problems are usually not to be expected.

In contrast to adults, complications are rare in children. Some possible complications include such things as a skin infection with bacteria on top of the initial disease (so-called superinfections), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and pneumonia. Newborn babies, premature babies, pregnant women who have never had chicken pox (lack of immune protection) and patients whose immune system is impeded by diseases or certain drugs (HIV infection, organ transplantees) are at particular risk.