Exanthema in children: course and treatment
Exanthema is a viral disease that usually affects young children.
The main symptoms are hyperthermia (increased body temperature) and papular rashes all over the body. The disease is diagnosed in 30% of children aged six months to three years.
Reasons
Exanthema (it is also called sudden exanthema) is caused by human herpes viruses type 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7) - the first is more dangerous and is the main causative agent of the disease. Once in the body, viral particles interact with immune complexes, provoking the formation of exanthema. Also, such viruses interact separately with such biological structures:
- T-lymphocytes;
- monocytes;
- macrophages (cells that devour foreign elements that have entered the body);
- astrocytes;
- tree cells;
- epithelial cells.
Exanthema in adults is much less common. In adolescents and adults, HHV-6 is associated with a urinary infection, which is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Such a virus can, without manifesting itself, live in the tissues of the central nervous system, then activate and cause:
- myelitis – inflammation of the soft tissues of the brain and spinal cord;
- meningoencephalitis – inflammation of both soft tissues and meninges.
In addition, there is evidence that HHV-6 can cause the development of lymphoproliferative pathologies - those that are manifested by the growth of lymphoid tissue. This means that when an exanthema is detected, one should be wary of the described pathologies that are provoked by this type of virus.
Symptoms of exanthema
The incubation period (the time the pathogen stays in the body without any clinical manifestations) lasts from 5 to 15 days.
Symptoms of exanthema:
- fever - chills and hyperthermia (increase in body temperature - up to 39.0-40.5 degrees Celsius). The period lasts up to three days;
- weakness and lethargy;
- apathy (indifference to everything that happens around);
- deterioration of appetite, its complete disappearance;
- nausea.
Rarely, children show such signs of exanthema as diarrhea, stuffy nose, swelling of the eyelids and tissues around the eyes, rash on the soft palate. Runny nose and cough are absent. With exanthema in children, convulsions may develop against the background of the described clinical picture.
On the fourth day, the temperature drops, which creates a false impression of recovery. But almost immediately, a non-contagious rash appears on the child's body in the form of small dots and spots. It disappears after 2-4 days.
Diagnostics
Is exanthema in children easily diagnosed? The symptoms are typical, but the diagnosis is rarely made in a timely manner. While the examination is being carried out, the symptoms of the infection may disappear on their own, without medical intervention. But even if the condition improves, the child should be carefully examined.
A thorough study of the elements of the rash is necessary. These are small pink spots and papules up to 1-5 mm in diameter. The elements of the rash rise slightly above the surface of the skin.
Instrumental methods are used in case of accidental development of exanthema complications:
- electroencephalography;
- electrocardiography;
- ultrasound examination of abdominal organs and some others.
Laboratory diagnosis of exanthema includes the following methods:
- general blood analysis - a decrease in the number of leukocytes and eosinophils is noted;
- cultural method (seeding) - detect an active virus in the child's body;
- immunoenzyme analysis of blood - IgG and IgM immunoglobulins to HHV-6 and HHV-7 are detected in the blood.
Complications
If a child has exanthema, you should watch out for the following complications:
- acute myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle;
- meningoencephalitis – inflammation of brain tissue and its membranes;
- reactive hepatitis – inflammation of the liver parenchyma;
- asthenia - severe weight loss.
After exanthema, children are more likely to get colds.
Treatment of exanthema in children
The contagiousness of the virus is not very high, but sick children must be isolated. There is no specific treatment. Treatment of exanthema with the correct appointments does not take long.
Purpose:
- at a high temperature - drinking in large quantities;
- restriction of walks until normalization of body temperature;
- antipyretics;
- antiviral drugs;
- antihistamines.
During the treatment of exanthema in children, regular wet cleaning of the room is important.
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent the risk of getting exanthema. The main preventive measures:
- isolation of children from patients;
- strengthening of the immune system.
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