CHILD’S HEALTH/INFECTIOUS DISEASES: SCARLET FEVER

Scarlet fever does not occur often nowadays, and is a much milder illness than it used to be, for reasons not well understood.

Cause

Scarlet fever is caused by a Streptococcus germ, spread by sneezing and coughing.

Clinical features

Symptoms of scarlet fever vary greatly between children. The commonest symptoms are a mildly sore throat, swollen, tender lymph glands in the neck, a mild fever, and a characteristic rash. The rash covers the whole body and consists of tiny red spots. The tongue may be bright red (strawberry tongue). Nowadays complications of scarlet fever are very rare, due to effective treatment with antibiotics. Rheumatic fever used to be a serious complication, but is rarely seen in association with scarlet fever now.

Treatment

Scarlet fever can be treated effectively with antibiotics of the penicillin group. (If your child is allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics can be used.)

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Tags: General health