Scarlet fever is a fairly common disease of an infectious origin. Statistics confirm that children are most susceptible to this ailment. That is why many parents are interested in questions about what is scarlet fever, what are its causes and symptoms.
What is scarlet fever? Causes of the disease
As already mentioned, this is an infectious disease. In this case, the causative agent is beta-hemolytic streptococcus - a gram-positive bacterium of oval or spherical shape. Pathogens are transmitted exclusively by air. But, on the other hand, pathogenic cocci can only be transported over short distances, so close contact with an infected person is necessary for infection.
After the illness, the body acquires a stable immunity to this type of infection, although re-infection is possible.
What is scarlet fever and what are its symptoms?
In most cases, the incubation period lasts from two days to a week. The first symptoms of intoxication appear - a sharp increase in temperature, weakness, dizziness. In some cases, nausea and vomiting are observed.
Subsequently, patients complain of a sore throat, which intensifies when talking or swallowing. A few hours after the appearance of the first signs, the skin of the trunk, limbs and face is covered with a pink rash - a nasolabial triangle is the exception , which retains a characteristic pale hue. In some cases, blistering rashes with transparent or cloudy contents can be seen on the body. Skin lesions are accompanied by palpable itching.
One of the characteristic symptoms of the disease is angina - patients suffer from severe sore throat. And if at the beginning of the disease the tongue was overlaid with a dense white coating, then in the future it acquires a characteristic crimson hue - this is also a specific sign of the disease.
After 3 to 7 days, the rash begins to disappear on its own, leaving no residue on the skin. But quite often, the affected areas of the skin begin to peel off.
Scarlet fever: consequences and complications
In fact, some forms of scarlet fever are fraught with dangerous complications. In the early stages, the disease can be accompanied by purulent tonsillitis, inflammation of the sinuses or middle ear. In some cases, toxic damage to the heart is observed, as a result of which a rapid increase in the volume of the heart muscle is observed. Occasionally, scarlet fever can be complicated by purulent lesions of the liver and kidneys.
The most dangerous complications include rheumatism, damage to the heart valves, and occasionally hemorrhages in the brain.
How to treat scarlet fever?
It is immediately worth noting that when the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to call a doctor. Only a specialist knows what scarlet fever is and what treatment will be needed in a particular case. And if mild forms of an infectious disease are treated at home, then in more severe cases, the patient needs hospitalization.
Since the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used for the treatment. Penicillin substances, in particular Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Retarpen, are very effective. It is necessary to take vitamins, and sometimes the use of immunomodulators. During treatment, the patient is shown strict bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids.