Chickenpox in adults and children: symptoms, treatment

In some regions of Russia, there was an increase in the number of chickenpox cases in October. Since the beginning of 2025, the number of infections in Yamal has increased by 67%. In Bashkortostan, their number has doubled. The main reason, according to experts, is the lack of vaccines. The drug is no longer produced in Russia, and in 2023 it was excluded from the National Vaccination Calendar. For more information about chickenpox, its symptoms and consequences, see the Izvestia article.

What is chickenpox?: how it manifests itself, symptoms

Chickenpox, more commonly known as chickenpox, is an acute viral disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Infection is one of the most common childhood diseases, but it can also occur in adults, especially those who were not ill in childhood and were not vaccinated. According to epidemiologists, the virus is highly contagious: transmission occurs by airborne droplets when coughing, sneezing, or even during short-term communication with a patient.

The first symptoms often resemble the signs of a common cold — weakness appears, fever rises, headaches and loss of appetite are possible. After a day or two, a characteristic rash appears on the skin, which quickly turns into small bubbles with a clear liquid. Rashes can cover the entire body, including the face, scalp, and mucous membranes.

Itching is one of the most unpleasant symptoms of chickenpox. It increases at night, especially in children. It is important not to comb the rashes to avoid secondary infection and subsequent scarring.

Classification of chickenpox by severity:

— mild — the rash affects a small area of the body, the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees, there is no vomiting and weakness;

— moderate (the most common) — accompanied by a rash all over the body, itching, chills, fever up to 39 degrees, intoxication of the body, causing weakness, vomiting, nausea, pain in muscles and joints;

— severe — the rash affects all parts of the body, the temperature reaches 40 degrees, nausea and vomiting are constantly felt.

How does chickenpox work?

The course of the disease takes place in several stages:

— incubation period. Lasts 10-21 days;

— the prodromal stage. It is short-lived and can last from two hours to two days. It is accompanied by mild weakness, fever and the appearance of a fine-spotted rash.;

— acute period. The phase is characterized by active rashes, which can last from three to seven days. During this period, the body temperature often rises to 38-39 degrees, and the rash appears in waves — new elements appear every few hours.

Each bubble soon dries up and becomes crusted. Pigmented spots often remain at the site of the rash, which disappear after a few weeks. Chickenpox usually occurs in mild or moderate form and ends in complete recovery. However, with weakened immune systems or in adult patients, complications are possible — pneumonia, encephalitis, skin inflammation, and others.

The peculiarity of the varicella-zoster virus is that it remains in the body for life. After an illness, the virus can "fall asleep" in nerve cells and reappear years later in the form of shingles (with weakened immunity, stress, etc.).

Chickenpox in adults and children: differences

According to estimates by infectious diseases specialists, about 50% of cases are registered in children under the age of ten. In most of them, the disease is relatively mild and does not require hospitalization. While in adults, the course of chickenpox is often more severe: the temperature is higher, the rash is greater, and the risk of complications increases significantly.

Separately, doctors note the danger of chickenpox for pregnant women. Infection in the first two trimesters can lead to the development of congenital chickenpox syndrome in the fetus, and in the later stages it can lead to premature birth or stillbirth.

How is chickenpox treated?

Treatment of chickenpox is primarily aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing complications. In typical cases, a home regime and careful hygiene are sufficient. The patient is recommended to take bed rest during the first days of the illness and drink plenty of water.

Antipyretics are prescribed to reduce fever, and antihistamines are used to reduce itching. Blisters on the skin are traditionally treated with antiseptic solutions to prevent the ingress of bacteria. In recent years, doctors have noted that zelenka is not used now, it is better to give preference to calamine, preferably colored, in order to tint the elements and track the appearance of new ones.

In case of severe illness or the threat of complications, the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. In some cases, especially in adults and people with weakened immune systems, treatment is carried out in a hospital.

The increase in the incidence of chickenpox in Russia

Rospotrebnadzor previously reported that since the beginning of 2025, cases of chickenpox have been registered in all regions of the country. In Yamal, the rate increased by 67%, and the number of sick children doubled. In Bashkiria, more than 16.5 thousand cases were recorded, which is twice as many as a year earlier. Ufa kindergartens were quarantined due to outbreaks.

Rash problems: the incidence of chickenpox is rapidly increasing in Russia

But a domestic vaccine is unlikely to appear before 2027.

In the Altai Republic, over 1,400 cases were detected in seven months, almost as many as in the whole of last year. An increase in the incidence was also noted in the Voronezh and Orenburg regions. At the same time, in the Smolensk region, on the contrary, a decrease was recorded — by about 12%.

According to Rospotrebnadzor, adults began to get chickenpox 28% more often. At the same time, the proportion of children among the cases still exceeds 94%.