Many parents may be aware of the illness known as scarlet fever, but they may not fully comprehend it. Renowned pediatrician Dr. Komarovsky frequently offers insightful commentary on this subject, easing parents’ concerns.
The signs and symptoms of scarlet fever, as well as the available treatments, will all be covered in this article. Dr. Komarovsky offers helpful guidance on how to identify the illness early and take the appropriate action to guarantee your child’s speedy and safe recovery.
Scarlet fever doesn’t have to be difficult to understand. With lucid guidance from reliable professionals such as Dr. Komarovsky, parents can feel more comfortable overseeing their child’s health.
What is it
Group A streptococci are the infectious agents that cause scarlet fever.
There is only one way for a child to get infected with these hemolytic microbes, and that is through a person:
- if the baby has been in contact with someone, who has fallen ill with tonsillitis or streptococcal pharyngitis, especially at the initial stage of the disease,
- if he has been in contact with a person, who recovered from scarlet fever not so long ago – less than three weeks have passed since the recovery.
Furthermore, some adults and other perfectly healthy individuals carry streptococcus A. Since they never get sick, they might not even realize that they are constantly releasing microbes into the surrounding air. These folks are more common than one might think. It is estimated by experts in infectious diseases that 15% of adult humans worldwide are streptococcus A carriers.
Adults do not get scarlet fever because they have developed an immunity to streptococci, whereas children’s immunity is weakened. Children are not shielded in this way. Babies under a year old are the only exception because they have natural antitoxic immunity that they inherit from their mother. Consequently, scarlet fever in the first year of life is an incredibly uncommon occurrence in children.
There is a risk to other kids up to the age of sixteen. Infection happens when you share toys, household goods, come into contact with someone from one of the aforementioned groups (those who are ill, carriers, or have recovered), or when you communicate with them.
Once inside the child’s body, this sneaky microorganism (don’t confuse it with all streptococci—there are plenty of them) starts to release erythrotoxin, a potent toxin. It triggers a strong reaction in the body, which results in the disease’s symptoms. There is a one-to 12-day incubation period. The tonsil mucosa is the preferred location for Streptococcus A to live and reproduce.
Purple fever is another term for the illness due to the presence of erythrotoxin, which causes the tonsils to turn bright red.
Symptoms
Always, scarlet fever starts off badly:
- body temperature rises sharply;
- severe pain in the throat appears;
- tonsils, larynx and tongue have a scarlet, very bright color. Fragments of purulent plaque may be observed on the tonsils. On the tongue on the 3-4th day, granular formations become noticeable;
- the body reacts to a strong toxin produced by streptococcus A with a rash. It appears almost immediately after the onset of the disease.
The final symptom is thought to be the most distinctive. You ought to study up on it more. Little red dots that are easier to see in all the details appear on the skin that has already turned red. These dots are brighter in color. The child’s whole body becomes covered in the rash as it spreads swiftly. The majority of the red dots are located on the sides, on the arm and leg folds. The skin turns into rough, dry skin that feels like textured cardboard.
Even with just a quick glance at the baby’s face—bright red cheeks with a rash and the same forehead—one can easily suspect scarlet fever. The nasolabial triangle is equally clear and pale at the same time. The rash-affected skin starts to peel severely after 7–10 days. The rash usually starts to go away after the first week of sickness; it doesn’t leave scars or pigment spots on the skin. Peeling usually ceases 14 days after the disease first appears.
Treatment
Even though physicians have long been aware of scarlet fever, in the past they frequently misdiagnosed it as measles or rubella. However, if measles and viral rubella can be treated without the need for special medication, then antibiotics should be used to treat scarlet fever. Consequently, scarlet fever frequently resulted in death prior to the discovery of antibacterial agents.
Doctors today are split into two "camps": some maintain that the development of antibiotics has made it possible to treat scarlet fever successfully, while others assert that improvements in children’s nutrition and overall quality of life have a greater influence. Scarlet fever deaths, according to Evgeny Komarovsky, have decreased as a result of both causes.
Since streptococcus A is extremely sensitive to antibiotics, treating it is not too difficult. The majority of patients receive treatment at home; only infants younger than two to three years old and those with a more severe form of scarlet fever—in which internal organ damage from hemolytic streptococcus poses a risk—may be admitted to an infectious diseases hospital.
The following are general treatment guidelines:
- bed rest until the temperature drops and signs of intoxication disappear;
- plenty of warm drinks (juices, tea, fruit drinks, compotes). It is not recommended to give milk;
- diet (according to Pevzner"s method, the so-called table No. 2). Food should be given in a pureed, mushy state, soups, semi-liquid purees are welcome;
- antibiotic therapy.
Children are typically prescribed antibiotics belonging to the penicillin family. The child feels much better 12 hours (maximum 24 hours) after starting the antibiotics because they effectively combat the agent causing scarlet fever. Other antibiotics, nearly all of which are currently on the market, can be prescribed to the baby if he is intolerant to penicillin. These medications are highly effective in treating streptococcus A.
According to Komarovsky, giving the child injections is not at all necessary; taking a course of antibiotics as tablets will suffice. The two medications that are most commonly prescribed are "Retarpen" and "Amoxicillin." If the child’s illness progresses severely while they are in the hospital, they will also receive IV drips with hemodesis to lessen their level of intoxication.
According to Evgeny Komarovsky, scarlet fever can nearly always be treated successfully and without major side effects if antibiotics are taken on time. When a child receives inadequate medical care or if parents try to treat their child using home remedies, major complications like kidney damage and heart rheumatism nearly always arise (glomerulonephritis).
Prevention
Typically, a person does not get scarlet fever twice or three times in their lifetime. Following an infection, the body becomes immune to that particular strain of streptococcus for life. However, this does not preclude the child from contracting another streptococcal infection in the future.
Scarlet fever recurrence is an uncommon occurrence. This typically occurs when the first illness was treated with antibiotics too quickly, destroying the microbe before the immune system could produce antibodies against it. Furthermore, children whose immune systems are significantly compromised may experience a recurrence of the disease. Though the doctor will need to select a different antibiotic for this, the secondary infection should be treated in the same manner as the primary infection.
A vaccine to prevent scarlet fever does not exist. A seven-day quarantine is imposed on the children’s group upon the identification of a sick child.
| Key Points | Dr. Komarovsky"s Advice |
| What is scarlet fever? | A bacterial infection caused by streptococcus, often following a sore throat or skin infection. |
| How is it transmitted? | Through airborne droplets or direct contact with an infected person. |
| Common symptoms | Fever, sore throat, red rash, and a "strawberry" tongue. |
| Treatment | Antibiotics are essential to prevent complications and reduce the spread. |
| Is it dangerous? | If untreated, it can lead to complications like rheumatic fever or kidney problems. |
| Prevention | Good hygiene practices and avoiding contact with sick individuals can reduce the risk. |
Dr. Komarovsky offers insightful advice on treating scarlet fever, stressing the significance of prompt diagnosis and suitable care. His guidance emphasizes that although scarlet fever can be dangerous, children typically recover well if the appropriate treatment is given. Early symptom recognition and seeking medical attention are essential for efficient treatment.
Dr. Komarovsky says that during a child’s illness, keeping them comfortable and well-hydrated can help hasten their recovery. He also emphasizes how important it is to treat infections and avoid complications when using antibiotics as directed by a physician.
In the end, parents are reassured by Dr. Komarovsky’s advice that scarlet fever, although worrisome, is controllable with appropriate care. You can contribute to a quicker and more seamless recovery for your child by listening to his advice and keeping yourself informed.
Offering crucial information on scarlet fever, Dr. Komarovsky emphasizes the significance of early symptom recognition and comprehending the condition’s effects on children. He walks parents through doable measures to manage and prevent the illness by outlining the causes, symptoms, and efficient treatments. His guidance attempts to provide families with a clear and confident path through scarlet fever.
