Scarlet fever
Introduction:
Scarlet
fever is type of illness caused by bacterial infection with group of
Streptococcus bacteria which cause fever and sore throat and mostly children
get the illness aged between 5 to 15. This disease considered life threatening
and can affect the heart and vital body organs if left untreated.
Mode of transmission:
This
disease can be spread from person to person by air through breathing, droplets,
coughing, or sneezing. Also, by touching the surfaces contains droplet after
that touching your nose or mouth and touching the sores on the skin.
Furthermore, eating from same plate of the effected person or drinking from
same glass. These all mode of transmission the person must know when dealing
with sick person having scarlet fever.
https://youtu.be/kKD3FOJh8jM
Signs and symptoms of Scarlet fever:
The signs
and symptoms of scarlet fever can be as follows:
- · Red rashes which look like sun burn which started from
face, neck, and spread all over the body
- · The fold skin around groin, armpits, elbows,
knees, and neck showed redder as redlines than other areas.
- · The face appeared red called flushed face
and paleness around the mouth.
- ·
Strawberry tongue which looking red and covered with white
coating.
- · Fever can appear with chills (38° c)
- ·
Sore throat and very red color with white or yellow patches.
- · Difficulty in swallowing.
- ·
Enlarge glands and lymph nodes.
- ·
Abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting.
- ·
Body pain.
- · Dehydration.
When this
signs and symptoms appeared for children or infant the parents must directly
take there child to the nearest hospital for treatment and management.
Diagnostic tests:
Scarlet fever diagnosed after extensive examination with
identifying the signs and symptoms from the doctor with performing blood
investigation with throat swapping and culture to identify the bacterial cause
of the disease.
Management and treatment of scarlet fever:
The treatment of scarlet fever with positive test by
providing antibiotics and home management with soft food or liquids if the
child can’t swallow with keeping the child hydrated to prevent complications.
Pain medication can be given if the child complains of pain and itching which
can be reduced by medication.
Prevention of scarlet fever:
The prevention of this disease can be by taking precautions
when dealing with the patients by wearing face mask, washing hands frequently,
not using the personal equipment’s of the patients, and wearing gloves when
touching the patient with caution if necessary.
References:
Cleveland clinic. (2022) “Scarlet Fever: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, , my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23108-scarlet-fever.