Scarlet Fever - 10 Signs Your Child is Suffering from It

Scarlet fever is a kind of bacterial illness that commonly develops in children who are suffering from a strep throat (scratchy and sore throat caused by a bacterial infection). The bacteria streptococcus produces a poison or toxin that causes rashes, colored a bright red, all over the body. The name “scarlet fever” is derived from these red rashes. Scarlet fever is common among children aged between 5 and 15. Previously, it used to be a serious and common childhood illness, but is relatively rare today.

Factors behind it

The main cause of scarlet fever is the bacteria streptococcus, which thrive in your nasal passages and mouth. The bacterial infection is transmitted when an infected person coughs or sneezes; later the airborne droplets end up affecting a healthy person in the vicinity. Scarlet fever is extremely contagious. Coming in contact with an infected person, and drinking or eating from an infected person’s glass or plate, can spread the infection.

Signs and symptoms

The bright red rash is the most obvious sign of this disease. The other common scarlet fever symptoms include:

1. Fever that measures above 101 degree Fahrenheit
2. Chills
3. Headaches
4. A sore, red throat with yellow and white patches
5. Swollen tonsils
6. Flushed face
7. Vomiting and nausea
8. Enlarged glands on the back of your neck
9. Skin around the lips turns pale
10. Strawberry tongue (a white tongue with red spots dotting its surface)

Treatment

The usual treatment for scarlet fever is antibiotics. The antibiotics assist your immune system fight the infection-causing bacteria. If your child is infected, make sure he/she finishes the entire antibiotics course. This will prevent a relapse of the infection. You can also use over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin to treat the fever. Medication to treat a sore throat can also be prescribed by the doctor. Other easy remedies include:

1. Gargling with salted water
2. Drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration
3. Consuming plenty of warm soup, ice cream or popsicles
4. Using an air humidifier to reduce the pain and severity of a sore throat

Scarlet fever should be treated immediately. If you leave it untreated it might cause the following complications in the long run:

1. Rheumatic fever
2. Kidney disease
3. Ear infections
4. Skin infections
5. Throat infections
6. Pneumonia
7. Arthritis

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