Every spring and autumn, kindergartens and schools are hit by diseases such as scarlet fever and chickenpox, known as childhood illnesses. Although we are not yet in the season when microbes responsible for these diseases are rapidly developing, a few cases have already been recorded.
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease, more common among children under 10 years of age. Parents should know that the disease suddenly starts with fever, a shift in the general state of the child, angina and rash of very small red bumps. The disease is caused by group A hemolytic beta streptococcus, but only by some serotypes. The streptococcus causes local inflammation and releases a toxin into the blood.
Scarlet fever begins with fever
After the incubation period, which may last from 3 to 5 days, other signs are commonly being noticed, such as 39-40 degrees Celsius fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat, accelerated heart rate, and the appearance of swollen lymph nodes. Moreover, the tongue becomes reddish from the top towards the base – that is, pinker than usual, and in the back there might be a whitish deposit.
Within the next 24 hours of the onset of the illness, some small and rough bumps appear on the baby’s belly, which might seem rather an irritation. Basically, it is different from other childhood illnesses, which usually start with bumps at the top of the body – neck, shoulders, back, explain pediatricians. In the next two days, the bumps extend in the armpit area, on the legs and the face, except for the palms and soles. In less than a week, the red spots disappear and the skin begins to peel off.
Streptococcus can be eliminated
It is very true that a child might as well only be a “carrier” of the streptococcus, eliminating it at some point. But there is also the possibility of a mutation on untreated streptococcus, which can trigger an epidemic. Therefore, it is best to administer an antibiotic.
Hemolytic beta-streptococcus is transmitted only through saliva – sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge or contaminated objects (toys, glasses). There are also cases where scarlet fever can cause kidney and cardiac complications.
Very rarely, in exceptional cases, adults with a very low immune system can also be affected by scarlet fever. Hemolytic beta-streptococcus can be detected by a simple pharyngeal exudate.
Scarlet fever tests will be taken every 7 days
Doctors state that those suffering from scarlet fever need to do more analyzes, even after the rash has passed. Thus, at 7 and 14 days after the onset of the disease, a summary of the urine should be made, and after 21 days an ASLO test is made – the analysis which reveals the antistreptococcal antibodies, called antistreptolysins, the urine summary, and other blood tests.
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