Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease. It is characterized by fever, general intoxication, pinpoint rash, which can appear anywhere on the body, tonsillitis. Almost always only children suffer from scarlet fever. Beta hemolytic streptococcus belonging to group A is its causative agent. Scarlet fever, the treatment and symptoms of which we will consider, is caused not by its presence, but by the toxin that streptococcus secretes into the blood.
What are the causes of scarlet fever
Patients with angina, scarlet fever and carriers of streptococcus are carriers of the disease. The route of infection is airborne, in rare cases, contact-household. You can get infected through cuts and abrasions.
Symptoms: scarlet fever
The incubation period of this disease lasts from one to twelve days. Scarlet fever, the treatment of which we will consider, begins almost always acutely. It is characterized by sharp jumps in temperature. The patient suffers from headache, sore throat, weakness. When examining the throat, you can see a picture that is very characteristic of a sore throat.
The first day of the disease, as a rule, ends with a rash on the patient’s body. It appears first on the neck, but quickly spreads over the body. It manifests itself most strongly in the armpits and in the area of the elbow bends. Scarlet fever leads to the fact that the patient's face turns red, however, white rims remain around the mouth and nose. Papillae begin to appear in the tongue. He himself acquires a rich red color.
The rash, as well as the temperature, lasts up to three days. In the future, they no longer appear. Around the sixth day, the skin begins to peel off. This happens in those places where previously there was a rash. Peeling can last up to three weeks.
Scarlet fever, the treatment of which should be timely, is usually easily diagnosed. The doctor makes an opinion based on the clinical picture.
Scarlet fever complications
They can be early and late. In the first case, everything is directly related to how the infection spreads. It can be called otitis, as well as sinusitis. Late complications are directly related to immune disorders. This is glomerulonephritis, rheumatism and more. The most dangerous are allergic complications. They occur if the treatment of scarlet fever was initially incorrect. Allergic effects can be worse than the disease itself.
Scarlet fever: treatment
The doctor should be called at the first suspicion of scarlet fever. After a diagnosis is made, it is important to accurately follow all its recommendations and appointments. In most cases, treatment initiated on time leads to the fact that scarlet fever retreats quickly enough. Improper treatment causes the complications listed above. Complications from the use of drugs are also possible. This means that they should be taken only a strictly defined time.
While the temperature is kept, the patient must necessarily observe bed rest. You need to drink plenty of water - this will help avoid toxic complications. Food should be taken semi-liquid or liquid. Proteins should be limited.
In most cases, treatment is carried out at home. Only those patients in whom the disease is severely neglected or aggravated are subject to hospitalization. The hospital may also include the one in whose family there are children under seven years of age (especially if they have never had scarlet fever).
Disease prevention
The patient should eat from a separate dish. He should be in an isolated room, he should have his own towel. Insulation should last about ten days. In child care facilities where numerous scarlet fever diseases have been reported, quarantine should be established.