Pediatric infections accompanied by skin rashes

Measles. The rash appears three to four days after the onset of the disease. At first, measles is like a severe cold that gets worse. The eyes become red and watery. The mucous membrane of the eyelids is intensely red. A dry and frequent cough appears. The temperature usually rises every day. On the 4th day, pink spots appear behind the ears, the temperature is very high. The spots spread to the face and body, becoming larger and darker. One day before the rash, tiny white spots surrounded by a red rim (Filatov-Koplik spots) appear on the inside of the cheeks near the lower molars. The rash period lasts two to three days, during which time the temperature remains high, the child coughs heavily, despite the medications used, and feels quite bad. After the spots appear on the skin, the child's condition quickly improves. If the temperature does not decrease two days after the rash appears, or if it decreases and then increases again, complications should be considered.

While the temperature remains high, the child has almost no appetite, but is often thirsty, so the child needs to be given more water. It is necessary to carefully clean the child's mouth with a cotton swab soaked in a soda solution three times a day. Previously, it was believed that light was harmful to a child with measles, but now it is known that photophobia is caused by conjunctivitis accompanying measles. If the child is irritated by light, the room can be darkened. Bed rest should be observed until the temperature returns to normal.

Measles occurs 9-16 days after contact with a sick person, the infectious period begins with the appearance of cold symptoms. After measles, there is a strong immunity (there are no repeated diseases). In order to prevent the development of the disease or at least weaken its manifestations, it is necessary to administer gamma globulin to the child.

Complications of measles include: otitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis, which occur due to the addition of a bacterial infection against the background of reduced immunity.

Rubella. The full name is German measles. It is called this way because the rash resembles a measles rash. However, it most often looks like small red dots, they first appear on the head, then "fall" to the chest, arms, torso and legs. The rash also disappears from top to bottom. With German measles, there are rarely any cold symptoms, a slight redness in the throat may be observed. The temperature does not exceed 38 °C. The posterior cervical and occipital lymph nodes increase in size, which can be very painful.

Rubella manifests itself between the 12th and 21st days after contact with a sick person. This disease is very dangerous for women in the first three to five months of pregnancy, since the rubella virus can cause deformities in the fetus. Therefore, contact of a pregnant woman with a rubella patient is an indication for termination of pregnancy.

Chickenpox. Before the rash appears, there may be a headache and general malaise. Then characteristic rashes appear - blisters filled with a clear liquid, which becomes cloudy over time. The base of the blister is reddened. The blisters burst, dry up, and crusts form - the so-called polymorphism of the rash is observed. New blisters appear within three to four days. Usually, children feel well throughout the illness and the temperature does not exceed 38 ° C. But sometimes the child's health is sharply impaired, more often this is observed in older children. Bed rest is observed during the entire period of the rash. All elements of the rash should be lubricated with brilliant green, so that a secondary infection does not join, especially since the rash causes itching in the child and he, scratching the elements of the rash, can bring an infection into the wounds. The appearance of the rash is observed between the 11th and 21st days after infection. The child ceases to be contagious after new blisters stop appearing - dried crusts are no longer contagious. The patient is isolated at home until the fifth day, counting from the end of the rash.

Scarlet fever. Caused by streptococci. The onset of the disease resembles a common sore throat: sore throat, reddened mucous membrane of the pharynx, high temperature, reddened and enlarged tonsils, headache. The rash appears in one or two days, first in the armpits, on the back, in the groin. From a distance, the rash looks like uniform redness, but up close it is visible that it consists of small red dots on inflamed skin. Then the rash can spread to the entire surface of the body, including the face, and only the nasolabial triangle remains pale. Characteristic of scarlet fever is the defeat of the tongue, which acquires a crimson hue and an increase in papillae is noted on it. After the rash has passed, peeling of the skin may be observed, especially on the palms.

Like any infection, scarlet fever can cause complications: otitis, stomatitis, inflammation of the salivary glands, but the most formidable complications of scarlet fever are inflammation of the kidneys - nephritis, and damage to the heart valve apparatus - heart defect. Infection can occur not only from a patient with scarlet fever or another streptococcal infection, but also from a healthy carrier of streptococcus. The incubation period of scarlet fever (asymptomatic) lasts about seven days. Treatment of scarlet fever should be prescribed by a doctor.

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