What is scarlet fever in children, doctors knew a long time ago, but they did not know how to treat such a dangerous disease. This led to large infant mortality at the age of 1 to 9 years.
The disease was identified as independent in 1675. By 1824, a complete clinical picture was compiled, but only in 1903 the hypothesis of scarlet fever streptococcus was fully substantiated and confirmed. Savchenko I.G. was the first to isolate streptococcal toxin in 1905 in the process of experimental work with horses, which made it possible for the first time to create an antitoxic serum with a therapeutic effect in this disease.
general description
The disease is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, gram-positive streptococci of group A. Spherical bacteria are causative agents of a whole spectrum of acute serious diseases (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sepsis, tonsillitis, necrotizing fasciitis, rheumatism and others), including scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever takes its name from medieval Latin from the word "scarlatum", as "scarlet, bright red." This is directly related to the manifestation of the symptoms of infection. Infectious, mainly childhood disease, is characterized by fever, tonsillitis, intoxication of the body. It appears in the form of bright spotted rashes on the skin. It is proved that immunity is responsible for scarlet fever, since infection occurs when there is no resistance to streptococcus.
Methods of infection
Infection occurs in two main ways:
- airborne droplet;
- domestic.
Therefore, there may be several sources of infection:
- contact with a sick person, a hidden carrier of any of streptococcal infections;
- use of common utensils;
- toys
- various household items, hygiene items;
- clothes, door handles, handrails in transport, any things in contact with the carrier;
- contaminated food, poorly washed fruits and vegetables;
- through cuts, scratches, wounds on the skin.
Preschool children are always at risk. Therefore, when cases are detected, quarantine is organized. Scarlet fever spreads rapidly. For this reason, during this period, children of neighboring groups and classes should be at home, away from the source of infection. For all questions about scarlet fever and quarantine in kindergarten, how many days it will last, the decision is made by the health worker. The head of the kindergarten by general order notifies the staff and parents.
The incubation period in children
The child is considered contagious a day before the first signs of the disease and 3 weeks after infection. Incubation lasts from several hours to 10-12 days. But quarantine for scarlet fever in kindergarten is extended for several weeks. The patient is prescribed isolation from the team after a final recovery of 12 days.
If in a close environment someone is infected, and the child managed to avoid infection, then the baby will also be sent to quarantine. Scarlet fever may occur after a few days. The isolation from the children's team in this case lasts 17 days from the moment of contact with the sick family member.
A child who has previously suffered a disease can not be quarantined, immunity is formed to scarlet fever. Visiting a kindergarten is allowed, but under the constant supervision of a nurse for 17 days.
The first manifestations of the disease
Streptococci, getting into the body, settle on the tonsils, pharyngeal mucosa, and oral cavity. The growth of bacteria begins. An inflammatory lesion is formed at the site of introduction, where pathogens begin to produce exotoxin, which causes the main symptoms of the disease. Scarlet rash - the body's reaction to exotoxin, which is produced by streptococcus during reproduction. Small blood vessels dilate under the action of the toxin, forming red spots. Parents should know what scarlet fever is in children, so that when a sore throat and bright rashes appear on the skin, immediately seek qualified help.
The main symptoms of scarlet fever
The disease at the initial stage is characterized by sharp manifestations:
- fever, fever up to 38-39 degrees;
- worsening of well-being;
- possible manifestation of vomiting and nausea, as signs of intoxication;
- angina;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- allergic reaction;
- throat redness;
- "flaming" pharynx, "raspberry" tongue with pronounced papillae.
Depending on the severity of the course of the disease and the manifestations of complications of scarlet fever, there are several varieties of its forms: mild, moderate, severe. It is enough for parents to know the general symptoms of scarlet fever. Treatment and prevention are prescribed by a doctor.
Light form
Manifestations in a mild form are moderate. The main symptoms are:
- hyperthermia not higher than 38.5 degrees;
- intoxication with nausea, vomiting, headache are absent or mild;
- pharyngitis, tonsillitis without complications, there is no necrotic plaque on the tonsils and soft palate;
- the rash on the body is pale, may be absent;
- "raspberry" scarlet tongue (it is this symptom that makes it possible to distinguish a disease from ordinary sore throat).
The acute febrile phase ends after 3-4 days. On the 4-5th day, skin rash and tonsillitis disappear, complications rarely develop.
Moderate form
What kind of scarlet fever disease is and how it manifests itself, we examined above. Now let's talk about its moderate form. The duration of the manifestation of the main symptoms increases to 7-8 days.
Characteristic features:
- significant prolonged hyperthermia up to 39-40 degrees;
- severe deterioration in well-being;
- headache, weakness;
- repeated vomiting, nausea;
- violation of the nervous system in the form of manifestations of hallucinations, delirium;
- severe intoxication of the body;
- palpitations, tachycardia, pain behind the sternum, shortness of breath;
- tonsillitis with purulent plaque;
- numerous, bright rashes;
- peeling of the skin at the site of rashes.
At this stage, the development of a number of complications is possible: otitis media, inflammation of the nasal sinuses, inflammatory processes, damage to the kidneys and liver, an increase in heart size due to thinning of its walls, lowering blood pressure, disturbances in the circulatory system and others. The child is placed in a hospital for the timely detection and prevention of negative consequences.
Heavy form
This form can cause toxic shock and death. Severe scarlet fever has the following symptoms:
- increase in body temperature to 41 degrees (critical limit);
- repeated vomiting and debilitating nausea;
- headache;
- mental disorders and confusion, a disorder of the nervous system with hallucinations and delirium;
- inflammation of the nasopharynx with purulent necrotic manifestations;
- septic lesions of the oral cavity, soft palate;
- inflammation of the lymphatic system;
- pronounced profuse rash.
The patient requires mandatory quarantine isolation. Scarlet fever in such a toxic form is treated only in a hospital setting. It is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's prescriptions to recover and prevent serious complications (pneumonia, articular rheumatism, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis).
Treatment of scarlet fever in childhood
The choice of therapy is based on the form, severity of the course of the disease, the characteristics of the child’s health. With a mild course, you can do without the use of antibiotics, the remaining forms are treated with a penicillin group. Supportive care is to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Be sure to connect antihistamines, antipyretic drugs, drugs to relieve inflammatory manifestations in the nasopharynx. Drink plenty of water to reduce intoxication, diet, bed rest.
The treatment lasts up to 14 days. After recovery, the child will be under clinical supervision for another 6 months, so as not to miss the possible manifestation of complications.
Quarantine and Prevention
Quarantine is calculated based on the length of the incubation period. Preschool workers are required to notify parents of quarantine by official order.
Children of the quarantine group are prohibited from walking on the territory of other groups, participating in general events, or conducting physical education and music classes outside their corps.
Mandatory strengthening of the sanitary regime:
- wet cleaning twice a day;
- daily quartzing of the room;
- washing dishes, toys with the use of disinfectants;
- vaccination is prohibited during this period.
It is important for parents to know:
According to the Federal Law of December 29, 2006 N 255-, the clinic does not have the right to refuse to issue a sick leave for quarantine in the kindergarten, even if the child is completely healthy and was not in contact with charged children
You can protect the child from infection by observing basic preventive measures and supporting the immune system. Mandatory isolation when detecting a disease and following hygiene rules are the main ways to avoid scarlet fever.