Scarlet fever is a common contagious disease in children between 5 and 15 years old who manifests through sore throat, high fever, raspberry-like tongue markers and red itchy spots on the skin.
This disease is caused by group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria and is usually a complication of pharyngitis or bacterial tonsillitis in which the first symptoms appear between 2 and 5 days after the onset of signs of infection and inflammation of the throat. Scarlet fever, although contagious, can be easily treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or erythromycin, which are taken for 7 to 10 days.
Main symptoms
The most characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is the appearance of red patches or spots on the skin that appear on the neck and trunk, and with the progression of the disease, also appear on the face, arms and legs. Other symptoms of scarlet fever are:
- Throat pain and infection;
- Itchy skin;
- Reddish face and mouth;
- Whitish tongue;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- General malaise.
Usually the symptoms of scarlet fever disappear 24 hours after the start of treatment and after about a week the red spots disappear. See what other symptoms of scarlet fever are.
How to get Scarlet
The transmission of scarlet fever occurs through the air through the inhalation of droplets originating from the cough or sneeze of an infected person.
Scarlet fever, although it is more common in children, can also affect adults, and can occur up to 3 times in life, because there are 3 different forms of the bacteria that cause this disease. Times where children are most affected are in the spring and summer.
Closed environments also favor the spread of the disease, such as day care centers, schools, movie theaters and shopping malls. However, although a person may come in contact with the disease-causing bacteria, this does not mean that it develops, as this will depend on your immune system. So if one of the brothers develops scarlet fever the other can only suffer from tonsillitis.
How is the treatment done?
Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics such as Penicillin, Azithromycin or Amoxicillin, which can kill the bacteria in the body. However, in case of allergy to Penicillin, treatment is usually done using the antibiotic Erythromycin to ensure that no allergic reactions occur.
Generally, treatment for between 7 to 10 days, but after the 2nd dose of the drug is expected that the symptoms alleviate or disappear. Learn more about conventional and home treatment of scarlet fever, signs of improvement, worsening and possible complications.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of scarlet fever is made from the physician's assessment of the signs and symptoms of the disease. In addition, the doctor may request a laboratory examination, such as a rapid test to identify the bacteria, Step A, or a microbial culture from the patient's saliva.
How to Care for Baby or Toddler with Scarlet
Babies or children with scarlet fever should not go to school to avoid contaminating other children, and it is recommended that they get plenty of rest and avoid contact with other children. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is important to go to the doctor so that treatment can be started as soon as possible, and after 24 hours from the start of treatment the child can leave the house and go to school because the disease is no longer contagious.
Other important care to control the contagion of the disease is to regularly wash the child's hands, clothes with separate hot water and soap, alcohol disinfect their objects and not share glasses, cutlery or drinks for example.
What to eat during scarlet fever
In order not to worsen sore throat, feeding during treatment should be pasty and mole like as porridges, cooked fruits, cereals, soups and purees, to be easy to swallow. In addition, to relieve itchiness on the skin it is recommended to take a bath with Thousand tea or Eucalyptus leaves and regularly pass a moisturizing oil or cream throughout the reddish region. See how the home remedy for scarlet fever is made and how it should be for the person with scarlet fever.
