Scarlet Fever is a complication of the Streptococcal infection of the throat and tonsils.
Scarlet Fever is usually a children's illness: under
the age of 18. This is not as common an infection as it once was. It is identified by
the tell-tale full-body rash and fever that gives the disease its name.
What are the symptoms of Scarlet Fever?
Usually occur 2 to 5 days after infection. The most noticeable symptom is the full-body rash. All symptoms are as follows:
Transmission
It is important to keep practicing good hygiene. The bacteria reside on epidermal tissue as well as within mucus. Someone carrying Streptococcal bacteria can transmit the bacteria to another person through direct skin to skin contact or through mucus to skin contact through a sneeze or cough. If the new host touches an open wound on his body, the bacteria take up residence.
If a person infected with Streptococcal bacteria washes his hands often, the bacteria are washed away. If a person washing out all cuts with soap or disinfectant, infection can be avoided.
Scarlet Fever can be treated with antibiotics.
Penicillin, cephalexin, or amoxicillin are the most common antibiotics used to treat strep throat and scarlet fever. With treatment, the bacteria will go away within three to seven days, but treatment must continue until the end of the prescription. While Streptococcus has not become antibiotic resistant yet, it has shown antibiotic tolerance.
What are the symptoms of Scarlet Fever?
Usually occur 2 to 5 days after infection. The most noticeable symptom is the full-body rash. All symptoms are as follows:
- Rash appears as tiny red bumps on the chest and abdomen, then may spread over the entire body
- Rash looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper and lasts for 2 to 5 days
- skin on the tips of the fingers and toes begins to peel
- Face is flushed with a pale area around the lips
- Yellow or white patches on the throat or tonsils and tongue
- Fever of 101F or more and chills
- Whitish coating on the tongue
- Swollen lymphnodes
Transmission
It is important to keep practicing good hygiene. The bacteria reside on epidermal tissue as well as within mucus. Someone carrying Streptococcal bacteria can transmit the bacteria to another person through direct skin to skin contact or through mucus to skin contact through a sneeze or cough. If the new host touches an open wound on his body, the bacteria take up residence.
If a person infected with Streptococcal bacteria washes his hands often, the bacteria are washed away. If a person washing out all cuts with soap or disinfectant, infection can be avoided.
Scarlet Fever can be treated with antibiotics.
Penicillin, cephalexin, or amoxicillin are the most common antibiotics used to treat strep throat and scarlet fever. With treatment, the bacteria will go away within three to seven days, but treatment must continue until the end of the prescription. While Streptococcus has not become antibiotic resistant yet, it has shown antibiotic tolerance.