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Scarlet Fever
The second day after the new school year starts, Oscar, the five-year-old son of Mrs Chan, developed symptoms of sore throat, fever and chills. Aware of the recent reports about scarlet fever outbreaks, Mrs Chan was worried his son was infected at school. She took his son to Accident and Emergency Department for medical treatment in the late evening. Luckily, Oscar was only diagnosed with normal influenza. His condition had greatly improved after a few days of medication.
Still, Mrs Chan fretted about infection as there are many kids in the kindergarten. It may take only one infected child to spread the disease to the entire campus. Having learnt that some children have caught flu, she told Oscar to wash hands frequently and wear a face mask. But the bacteria seems so "ferocious", can washing hands and mask provide enough protection? Are there any other precautions against scarlet fever?
- Children without antibodies are more susceptible
- Five major symptoms to confirm a diagnosis
- Prevention against this highly infectious disease
- Winter and spring are peak seasons
- Recovery within 10 days under proper treatment
- Delay in treatment may be disastrous
Source: Quality HealthCare
Children without antibodies are more susceptible
Scarlet fever is caused by Group A Streptococcus, a kind of bacteria commonly found in the general environment. Thanks to exposure to these bacteria during their childhood, most adults have developed antibodies against them. This explains low infection rate among adults. However, children who are never infected remain unprotected by antibody. They are susceptible to any contact with Group A Streptococcus.
Five major symptoms to confirm a diagnosis
Scarlet fever starts with fever, chills, vomiting, abdominal pain and sore throat. These symptoms may be difficult to discern as they are similar to common cold and influenza. However, parents can be more certain when they find the following five major symptoms:
1 Strawberry tongue
The tongue will have a distinctive "strawberry-like" appearance, and be reddened and covered with white dots.
2 A rash with "sandpaper" texture will develop over body parts, especially on back of the neck, underarms, groin, fingers and toes. It usually subsides after one week and is followed by skin peeling.
3 White-color mucopus will be easily seen on back of the throat.
4 The patient usually suffers sudden fever with body temperature over 39°C.
5 There will be reddened lips surrounded by a whitish area.
Prevention against this highly infectious disease
Scarlet fever is highly infectious. It can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions. If children share toys exposed to Group A Streptococcus, it is likely they swallow the bacteria by contacting it from hands to mouths. To prevent this happening, it is important to wash hands frequently and keep windows open for good ventilation. If a child is confirmed to be infected with scarlet fever, he or she should wear a face mask and avoid sharing eating utensils with others to prevent further transmission.
Winter and spring are peak seasons
Statistics shows scarlet fever is more common in winter and spring as these two seasons coincide with the peak season of influenza. The latter can reduce body immunity on children, making them more vulnerable to Group A Streptococcus. Therefore, it is advised children should receive vaccination in the cooler season of October and November so as to reduce the risk of influenza infection.
Likewise, children from age one to six should also receive chickenpox vaccine in case this disease undermines their body immunity against Group A Streptococcus.
Recovery within 10 days under proper treatment
Scarlet fever can be effectively treated with antibiotics, which can take form of medication or injection. The most common antibiotic is Penicillin. Normally speaking, 10 days of continued medication of Penicillin should remove the bacteria. However, some people allergic to Penicillin may have hives and ulcerations around lips, tongues and eyes. In such cases, the patients may be prescribed with other types of antibiotics such as Erythromycin and Cephalosporin.
Delay in treatment may be disastrous
Procrastination in medical treatment may cause the toxin stemmed from Group A Streptococcus to enter the blood stream. The result is swelling blood vessels, which can lead to sudden drop of blood pressure. In extreme cases, such response can even cause death. The situation is medically referred to as Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Without treatment, the body may recover itself, but the "delayed antibodies" thus produced one to four weeks later may abnormally attack organs and cause serious inflammations including rheumatic heart disease, acute glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic arthritis, meningitis and lymphadenitis in the neck region. Without treatment, scarlet fever could be fatal! Therefore, anyone infected with scarlet fever should seek medical advice to a license medical practitioner immediately.
Source: Quality HealthCare
