Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. It is characterized by a bright red rash over most of the body. It can be accompanied by sore throat, high fever, rash and headache. This disease, which especially affects children between the ages of 5-15, can also be seen in adults. Treatment in the early stages accelerates recovery.
It can be transmitted from person to person by coughing or sneezing. Serious cases of the disease in the past have decreased with today's antibiotic treatments. Nevertheless, treatment should be carried out and should not be postponed. In the absence of treatment, it can cause kidney diseases and other serious problems in the body.
What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?
Symptoms can occur in about 2 to 4 days after the bacteria causing the infection enter the body. The first symptoms seen in cases are usually fever and sore throat.
The most common symptom is the red rash on the skin, which gives the disease its name. These rashes may first appear around the neck and chest. It can then spread to the back, arms, legs and face.
Skin folds in the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck may be brighter red. A pale ring may appear around the mouth, while the tongue may be swollen, puffy and strawberry-like red. However, in most cases, a white coating is seen on the tongue in the early stages of the disease.
The redness and rash on the face and tongue lasts for about 6 to 7 days. After the symptoms subside, the affected areas of the skin may peel.
In addition to the redness, there are other symptoms and signs of the disease. The symptoms of scarlet fever are usually listed as follows:
- Fever (38 degrees and above)
- Tremor
- Headache
- Sore throat and difficulty swallowing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body and muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Swelling, redness, white and yellow spots in the throat
What causes scarlet fever?
The first cause of scarlet f ever is the types of bacteria that cause sore throat. Bacteria are transmitted from person to person through air or contact, causing infection. As a result of the infected person coughing or sneezing, it can spread to different people through droplets. Close contact with infected people can also spread the infection.
People exposed to the bacteria usually take between 2 and 4 days to develop symptoms. The disease is more common in children between the ages of 5 and 15 than in adults. For this reason, it is also known as childhood illness.
It is caused by bacteria and can be transmitted by mouth or inhalation. It can also spread easily through close contact with infected people in the same family or in crowded places.
Complications of Scarlet Fever
Complications of scarlet fever are rare. If the bacteria enter the body, it can cause complications if they do not stay in one area but spread to different places.
Complications that may occur, although rare, are as follows:
- Abscesses around the tonsils
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck area
- Ear, sinus and skin infections
- Lung infections
- Kidney damage
- Joint inflammation
- Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is a serious and important condition as it affects the heart, brain, joints and skin.
Diagnosis of Scarlet Fever
In order to diagnose the disease, the person must first inform the doctor about the complaints and symptoms they are experiencing. The person is then physically examined by the specialist. During the examination, the throat, tonsils and tongue are examined.
The doctor may also perform an examination to determine whether there is enlargement of the lymph nodes in the throat. Finally, the rashes on the person's body are examined and evaluated.
If the doctor suspects the presence of the disease after the examination, he or she may order a throat culture. A sample is taken from the patient's throat and sent to the laboratory for examination.
Treatment of scarlet fever
Scarlet f ever is usually treated with antibiotics. By destroying the bacteria that cause the disease, antibiotics strengthen the immune system and help it fight bacteria.
The use of antibiotics should be continued for as long as the doctor tells you, even if the symptoms and signs disappear. Otherwise, the bacteria can cause complications and prolong the duration of the illness.
Different medicines may also be recommended and prescribed by the doctor to reduce the sore throat and lower the fever. In case of problems such as itching on the skin, the doctor may recommend lotions.