Scarlet fever - symptoms, ways of infection, treatment and prevention

Symptoms, treatment and prevention of scarlet fever

Scarlatina is an infectious disease that occurs in an acute form and is characterized by a spot rash, inflammation in the throat, and general intoxication of the body. Signs of scarlet fever in children are always pronounced, so in most cases treatment begins on time. But if the infection is hidden or without intensive manifestations and the patient is not treated, serious complications are possible.

How the disease is transmitted

The causative agent of scarlet fever belongs to the group of streptococci, which can affect the kidneys, joints, and tonsils. If a person's immunity is too weak when the infection enters the body, then this disease develops.

The source of the infection – a person who has scarlet fever or is a carrier of streptococci. The incubation period of scarlet fever lasts about 10 days on average, an infected person poses a danger to the environment within 15-20 days after the first symptoms appear if this person has not received treatment.

You can also get scarlet fever:

by air and droplet;
through toys and household items;
through food products.

Clinical manifestations

Scarlet fever always starts acutely:

body temperature suddenly rises to 39 degrees and above;
the child complains of severe headache and nausea;
the patient cannot swallow food (cutting pain in the throat).

On the third day after the first manifestations of the disease, a small rash appears on the body, which is sometimes characterized by severe itching. Knowing what a scarlet fever rash looks like, you can take urgent therapeutic measures. It "accumulates" in natural folds in the form of red stripes. It is necessary to carefully examine the inguinal folds, axillary hollows and elbow bends, in these areas the rash most often appears. To the touch, the skin with a rash becomes excessively dry, rough and resembles fine sandpaper. The rash can affect the whole face, temples and forehead, the whole body. A clear nasolabial triangle is a characteristic sign of infection.

The tongue of a scarlet fever patient also changes, becoming crimson in color with swollen, bulging papillae. The entire mucous membrane of the oral cavity becomes inflamed and takes on a red hue, there may be purulent plaque on the tonsils. Doctors call this type of oral cavity "fiery throat". and considered one of the defining signs of the disease.

Only after four days (an increase / decrease of this term per day is allowed) the skin turns pale, active peeling of the foci of rashes begins – the skin is removed with a "stocking", especially on the palms.

Symptoms of scarlet fever in adults are identical, but the course of the disease is always severe with a critical rise in temperature and convulsions.

Treatment and prevention of scarlet fever

Scarlatina is treated with an antibiotic, which must be prescribed by a doctor for the child. The antibiotic should be taken for at least 10 days. In order to improve the general state of health, doctors additionally recommend: frequent copious drinking, if necessary, antipyretics.

Paediatricians and infectious disease specialists deal with the treatment and prevention of scarlet fever. Doctors of these specialties must not only diagnose the disease, but also monitor the patient even after his recovery. It is necessary to monitor the characteristics of urine and the condition of the joints, because the most common consequences of scarlet fever complications in a child are glomerulonephritis and rheumatism. You can learn more about the consequences of the disease on the website of our clinic Dobrobut.com.

A patient with scarlet fever is considered safe for his environment after 24 hours of taking an antibiotic.