Scarlet fever, caused by Strep bacteria, is a disease that mainly affects children and is characterized by a red rash, sore throat, and high fever. It can be easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever. Prompt medical attention is recommended.
Many people know scarlet fever better as scarlet fever. This is a disease that is usually the result of infection with some strain of Strep or Streptococcus bacteria. Most often affecting children up to their early teens, the condition has very recognizable symptoms. In the past, this disease could lead to terrible complications and cause death, but now, in most cases, when recognized early, it can be easily treated with antibiotics.
There are a number of important symptoms of scarlet fever that make this disease quite easy to distinguish from strep throat. First, children develop a bright red, rough-feeling rash. It is often described as similar in appearance to a sunburn, and the skin may eventually peel, but the rash may not feel flat and is likely to spread over most of the body. The cheeks may make it look like the baby is blushing or has just squeezed, but the area around the lips and mouth may look washed out or white. Another hallmark of this disease is something called Pastia lines or strawberry red lines that are present in skin folds, such as under the arms.
Pastia’s rash and lines typically develop after other symptoms of scarlatina appear. Often, the first symptoms of the disease are extremely sore throat and high fever exceeding 101°C (38.33°F). Many babies also have enlarged glands, and there may be other symptoms as well, such as stomach pain or nausea, headaches, dizziness, and a bright red tongue.
Early indications often suggest a sore throat, and the appearance of a rash usually means scarlet fever. Because the fever typically remains high, parents are typically advised to take their children to a healthcare professional to confirm the diagnosis and receive treatment. The diagnosis can only be confirmed by appearance if all the major signs of a rash are present, but many medical professionals also do a throat culture or do a rapid strep test to make sure the bacteria that cause scarlatina are in the throat. Once the disease is diagnosed, the standard treatment is antibiotics.
Some other things can be done at home to give comfort to the person recovering from this disease. Fever-lowering medications, with the exception of aspirin for children, may be helpful and may also have a pain-relieving effect on the throat. Drinking plenty of fluids can help, and hot or cold or frozen liquids can partially relieve throat discomfort. Even children, or the rare adult who gets this disease, should get plenty of rest until the fever subsides.
While, nowadays, scarlet fever is easy to cure, it shouldn’t be considered a benign disease. It requires antibiotic treatment because it can turn into other more serious conditions such as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can start affecting organs in the body, even the heart, and can cause permanent damage if ignored. People who suspect scarlet fever or strep throat should get prompt medical attention.
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