Scarlet fever is called an acute infectious disease. It occurs under the influence of streptococcus and basically the path of its distribution is airborne, but infection through dishes, things, etc. is possible. Much less often, the infection is transmitted through wounds on the skin and genital tract.
This disease is mainly found in children aged one to 9 years. But scarlet fever in adults is also not a rare phenomenon. Especially often mothers or other family members who care for sick children, as well as people with weakened immunity, become infected.
At present, scarlet fever is successfully treated if the diagnosis is made in the early stages. Therefore, everyone should know about what scarlet fever looks like. The latent period of the development of the disease lasts from 2 to 7 days, sometimes a little longer. The first symptoms of scarlet fever are: fever, pain throughout the body, drowsiness, and in some cases irritability. Often there are pains when swallowing and redness on the glands. But such symptoms are characteristic of many colds.
However, signs soon appear that eloquently speak of scarlet fever. When several hours pass after the onset of the disease, a characteristic rash appears on the chest and neck. In some cases, it appears only after a day, or even more. Rashes quickly spread over almost the entire body and face. Only the nasolabial triangle remains untouched . The rash lasts from 2 to 3 days, and in some cases less. Then the peeling process begins.
Scarlet fever in adults can occur without a sore throat, although acute tonsillitis is considered one of the characteristic signs of this disease. If there is at least one of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor to prevent the development of serious complications.
Scarlet fever in adults is most often found in the following forms:
- Worn out;
- Toxic-septic;
- Toxic
- Septic.
With the erased form of the disease, sore throat is insignificant, the rash is very pale and quickly disappears. In some cases, patients do not even notice these symptoms.
Toxic scarlet fever is severe and is often accompanied by delirium. In addition, the development of cardiovascular and renal failure is possible. In severe septic forms of this disease, necrotic tonsillitis often occurs, as well as various septic complications.
The toxic-septic variety of scarlet fever does not occur often, but it is very difficult. It combines the manifestations of toxic and septic forms of the disease. The following symptoms are characteristic of it: very high temperature, low pressure, decreased heart rate, cold limbs.
Scarlet fever in adults is usually treated at home, unless, of course, the course of the disease is not very severe. They are prescribed a course of penicillin, which lasts 10 days. For the patient, strict adherence to bed rest is necessary for at least a week. Accelerate recovery will allow proper nutrition and measures to strengthen immunity.
A disease such as scarlet fever is re-ill in about 2% of cases, while the rest develop stable immunity. Although in recent years there has been an increase in such cases. Experts believe that very active therapy is to blame for this: the disease can be neutralized so quickly that there is simply not enough time to form immunity.
At the first signs of scarlet fever, treatment should be started immediately, because even with its mild form, complications can occur, among which the most dangerous are purulent otitis media, necrotic tonsillitis, heart, kidney, joint, rheumatism , etc.