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Scarlet fever: symptoms in children and adults, incubation period and treatment

Scarlet fever – an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria of origin. The causative agent of scarlet fever performs a beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A. As a rule, the penetration of Streptococcus in the body occurs through the mucous membranes of the mouth, however, there are cases of infection through the injured skin.

After penetration into the organism, Streptococcus triggers the start of the inflammatory process, the localization of which is the throat. Inflammation is known under the term "angina". After inflammation, infection begins to spread throughout the body, simultaneously localizes in the internal organs, and exerting a very negative effect on some of them. The greatest danger the patient is exposed, when scarlet fever is in the heart, kidneys, or Central nervous system.

In addition, there are autoimmune reactions that are a consequence of the onset of allergies in the body, the Allergy begins in the cells of the body directly.

Scarlet fever: how do you get infected?

Most often scarlet fever spread by airborne droplets way. The source of infection is the carrier and infected with the scarlet fever patient. Much less observed household path, when the infection is transmitted through household items, toys. You should also note the food route, here the infection is transmitted through using the same utensils with the sick person.

Basically, the risk of Contracting scarlet fever – children of preschool and school age.

Moreover, once infected with scarlet fever, the child may be contagious for another 22 days, and at this time should be as isolated from the contacts. Autumn and winter the most frequent times of year for outbreaks of scarlet fever.

The symptoms and incubation period

Let's just say, the symptoms in adults and children alike. The symptoms begin with the formation of the latent scarlet fever, which lasts up to 7 days. Thereafter, a sharp period of infection, during which there is lethargy and weakness throughout the body. There is a strong headache, chills often. Temperature rises up to 40 °C. Can also be observed symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

After several hours, appear and skin rashes, which are shown in the photo. This is a specific rash is mainly represented by small bright red dots. The most marked character gets a rash on the face and areas of skin folds.

Another external characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is the contrast between the bright "glowing cheeks and pale skin of the nose. Appearanceget scarlet fever — the eyes get a feverish brilliance, the face becomes puffy.

The most vivid sensations of pain associated with the throat, so the first thing, during the inspection of the sick child, the doctor draws attention to the throat, where there is a clear lesion of the tonsils.

In addition to the tonsils, scarlet fever starts to affect the nearby lymph nodes, they become slightly enlarged and painful on palpation. It can be noted that at the beginning of the infectious "the tempest", a language almost all the time is in the dry state, and on the surface plaque was brown. Within a few days of the occurrence of scarlet fever the tongue is purified and acquires a crimson hue (see photo). And in this, its crimson color, language continues to be in the next 10-15 days.

The rash of scarlet fever are also not held on the surface of the skin and can last weeks to fully disappear, the rash is not subject to pigmentation. After 15 days the skin on the rash starts to peel off. Typically, the first symptoms appear on delicate skin areas, gradually spreading throughout the body.

First and foremost, for scarlet fever is characterized by the beginning of peeling on the soles and palms, and apply it from the edges of the nail.

Complications

The disease scarlet fever can be divided into three forms, is:

  • Easy scarlet fever;
  • The moderately severe form of scarlet fever;
  • Severe form of the disease scarlet fever.

Depending on the form of scarlet fever is determined and the recovery period. Typically, even a simple course of antibiotics gives excellent results. Infection stops eliminated and no longer a threat to vital organs.

And complications of scarlet fever is primarily the development of autoimmune reactions in sensitization of the organism. This may be due to the penetration of beta-hemolytic Streptococcus group A. the strep begins on the 15th day of the disease and can affect the heart and kidneys. As a rule, a complication common in older child.

Treatment of scarlet fever in children

The physician should determine whether it makes sense to put the child in-patient treatment, or you can carry out all procedures in the home. It may be noted that compulsory hospitalization is required in complicated cases of scarlet fever, and at impossibility of treatment at home. In the first two forms of scarlet fever, mild and moderate, you can treat the child withouthospitalization.

In the first few days, the child must be kept under strict bed rest. Thus, it is recommended to pay special attention to diet during the period of scarlet fever. Food should only be warm to avoid thermal irritation of the larynx, and not sharp. How much should be the water a child should drink a lot, it helps to eliminate toxins from the body. After the acute symptoms, you can return to regular foods.

In any case, the leading role in the treatment of scarlet fever are given antibiotics.

Most Streptococcus sensitive to penicillin. At home, the penicillin is taken in pill form in the hospital — in the form of injections. If a child has an intolerance to penicillin, that is found in a number of cases assigned to erythromycin.

Furthermore, treatment involved anti-allergic drugs, for example, fenkarol and diphenhydramine. Drugs with a high content of calcium gluconate, vitamin C, in doses determined by the doctor at the time of treatment. In the fight against inflammatory process in the tonsils, sore throat, used rinsing solutions furatsilina. In addition, great deal with a sore throat natural medicines, sage, chamomile, calendula.