Scarlet Fever
A disease caused by an infection with group A B-hemolytic streptococcal bacteria that occurs in a small percentage of people with strep throat. When we hear the words "Scarlet Fever" we often tend to think of a deadly disease that doctors have no cure from. But it is quite the contrary, scarlet fever is just a serious case of strep throat and the medication prescribed by doctors, cures within days. But the symptoms unfortunately are not very pleasant and having Scarlet Fever is not just a walk in the park. After reading up on the disease hopefully the importance of prevention and symptoms will be understood and no more cases of Scarlet Fever will creep up. Scarlet fever was once a common, that usually affects children between the ages of two and ten, disease but now is easily treatable. The organism usuallly enters the body through the mouth or nose. It is generally transmitted from person to person by direct contact. That is, from the sprays of a sneeze from an infected person, or by any indirect contact through door handles previously touched by an infected person. The bacteria produces a toxin that causes a rash that initially appears on the neck and chest, then spreads over the body. The rash of
Areas of rash usually blanch (turn white) when you presson them. In addition to the throat culture, some doctors also use an "instant" strep test that can confirm a strep infection. Prevention is the early treatment of strep throat. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to care for the scarlet fever rash itself, or suggest over-the-counter brands that you can purchase in your drugstore or supermarket. In everyday life, there is no perfect way to avoid the strep infections that cause scarlet fever. Since the introduction of penicillin, most instances of scarlet fever can be cured without any permanent after-effects. Typically the rash begins as small red macules which gradually become elevated. If its does, the result may be ear infections, sinusitis, rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis. If your doctor suspects that your child has scarlet fever due to a strep throat infection, he orshe will usually take a throat culture (a painless swab of throat secretions) to see if Group A streptococcal bacteria grow in the laboratory. Two children in the same family may both have strep infections, but one (who is sensitive to the toxin) may have the rash of scarlet fever and the other may not. The symptoms are very stressful and uncomfortable. In body creases, especially around the underarms and elbows, the rash forms classic red streaks called Pastia's lines. Not all streptococci produce this toxin and not all persons are sensitive to it.
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