What is scarlet fever and how is it dangerous? What complications can occur after scarlet fever?

The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as through contact with contaminated objects or through abrasions and cuts on the skin.

Scarlet fever is most often recorded in children, but can be found in rare cases in adults.

With scarlet fever, fever, pinpoint formations appear throughout the body, looking like a rash and intoxication. The rash is always bright red and can appear not only on the skin, but also on mucous membranes.

Due to some symptoms, scarlet fever is confused with tonsillitis and attempts are made to treat it independently. This is very dangerous, since the disease itself can be severe and sometimes lead to death.

Diagnosis of the disease

Symptoms and mechanism of development

Scarlet fever is a disease with a short incubation period and manifests itself acutely. The first symptoms are similar to those of a sore throat or other cold.

The child’s temperature rises, his throat and mucous membranes begin to hurt, and it becomes painful to swallow and speak. The tonsils often become swollen, which is another symptom of an incipient sore throat.

In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, severe headaches and delirium may occur.

A rash may appear after a few hours or even the next day. If you have not yet taken your child to the doctor, then if a rash appears, this is simply necessary.

The rash begins to appear on the skin in the form of red raised spots that quickly increase in number. Most often, rashes appear in folds of skin, such as the elbows and armpits. It usually does not bother the child, but there are cases when the rash is accompanied by severe itching.

Usually the entire face is covered with red spots, and only the nasolabial triangle (the area starting from the tip of the nose and going down to the chin) remains untouched by the rash and, often, becomes very pale.

The tongue and mucous membranes are also covered with red spots.

The rash may go away in about a week. As the rash disappears, your body temperature will also decrease. But the child’s skin in the places where the rash was may be very itchy and peeling, even to the point of suppuration.

Read this article about how much glycine to give to a child.

Signs

But if a child becomes very ill, his temperature rises sharply and a rash appears, then it is necessary to see a doctor in any case.

All diseases can have serious consequences for a child’s health, so not only prevention is important, but also timely treatment.

Causes of scarlet fever

Streptococcal bacteria live in the body of any person in a certain, “normal” amount. If the immune system fails or any other impact occurs, the bacteria begin to spontaneously multiply and release the very toxin that causes scarlet fever. The exact cause of the disease is difficult to diagnose.

Scarlet fever is transmitted by airborne droplets, through things and objects, and is also very dangerous for others, since there is a high risk of illness in children who have communicated or come into contact with a sick child.

Therefore, the sick person must be isolated from communication with other children for the duration of the illness, and for about a month after it, since the virus can still live on the skin.

How dangerous is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is a dangerous disease, just like any human disease. Scarlet fever is dangerous in itself, and complications after the disease are especially dangerous.

Scarlet fever can occur in mild or severe form.

In mild forms, the child experiences scarlet fever as a cold, which can be easily treated with medication.

In severe cases, the child does not tolerate the course of the disease well, since constant fever and temperature exhaust the small body.

Scarlet fever can manifest itself as either toxic or infectious, often accompanied by allergic reactions. Often this course of the disease leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs, most often the kidneys.

Various complications can arise - these are complex inflammations of the ear canals, up to otitis media, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which can then develop into sinusitis or sinusitis.

Impaired functioning of internal organs leads to chronic diseases. A person can get scarlet fever only once in his life, but there is a high probability of having chronic infectious diseases in the future.

Read about the symptoms and treatment of scrofula in children in this article.

Treatment of the disease

Drug treatment

Medicines must include penicillin-containing drugs, since bacteria are not resistant to penicillin. Such medications can come in different forms, from tablets to soluble powders.

In severe cases of the disease, antibiotic injections are prescribed for greater effectiveness. If allergies are present, antihistamines are prescribed according to the age and weight of the child.

The child must be prescribed bed rest. Most often, scarlet fever is treated at home; hospitalization is not necessary, since the risk of infecting other patients is high. Hospitalization is carried out only in severe cases with serious complications.

Treatment with folk remedies

We warn that treatment with traditional medicine is possible only after the approval of a doctor and as an addition to the main drug treatment.

With scarlet fever, a child needs to follow a diet that includes only light foods and excludes fatty, fried, salty, etc. The child should not be given very cold or very hot food.

It is necessary to ensure the consumption of plenty of water and other liquids. Tea can be herbal, always warm, but not hot, with lemon or honey.

Scarlet fever is accompanied by a sore throat, so you can gargle with herbal infusions.

If you have a fever, you can apply a cool (but not cold) compress to your head. On the contrary, apply a warm compress to the neck area to warm the throat.

Disease prevention

Before signs of the disease appear, prevention should be the usual - clean linen and clothes, washing hands before eating, maintaining cleanliness, etc.

The child should eat well and spend time in the fresh air.

Quarantine is often introduced, and the patient is isolated for the duration of the illness and for a certain period after it.

The apartment where a sick child lives must be disinfected and regularly cleaned.

It is not advisable for a child to go outside for several days, but if he is recovering, then a short walk will not hurt.

When in contact with a sick person, it is necessary to wash your hands and change clothes more often; the child also needs to be given a clean set of clothes and bed linen, change it more often and ventilate the room.

Scarlet fever. School of Doctor Komarovsky

You can learn about the treatment of conjunctivitis in newborns from this article.

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How can a child become infected with scarlet fever and how dangerous is this disease for children? A few centuries ago, scarlet fever was considered a scourge and one of the most terrible childhood diseases, which claimed many lives. In modern society, scarlet fever has been well studied and is no longer considered a deadly disease, but nevertheless poses a danger due to the fact that it can cause a number of complications.

Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease transmitted by airborne droplets through coughing, sneezing or when a person with scarlet fever talks to a healthy person. The causative agent of scarlet fever - hemolytic streptococcus - can enter the child’s body through dishes, toys and other objects, as well as through poorly washed hands .In infancy, scarlet fever in children is quite rare. Most often, children of old age become infected with scarlet fever.

Outbreaks of scarlet fever occur during the cold season - from about mid-September to February. The child’s health sharply deteriorates - the child “burns” (body temperature rises), has a severe headache, chills, lethargy and drowsiness appear. In some cases, nausea and vomiting may appear (due to intoxication of the body).

After 2-3 hours, the child develops characteristic symptoms of scarlet fever - a sore throat when swallowing and a small rash in the form of small pink dots on noticeably reddened skin. The rash covers the face, sides of the body, places of natural skin folds - inguinal, buttock, armpits. Another characteristic sign of scarlet fever is a noticeable contrast between the pale area of ​​the nose without elements of the rash and the bright red “burning” cheeks of the child. Appearance of a patient with scarlet fever The child changes noticeably - the face becomes puffy, the eyes shine.

At the beginning of the disease, the tongue becomes dry and heavily coated with a brownish coating. And after a few days (up to 4 days) it clears of plaque and acquires a crimson color with shiny, smooth papillae (these symptoms of scarlet fever persist for several weeks).

The rash remains on the skin from several days to a week (the incubation period of scarlet fever), after which it disappears, leaving no wounds or pigmentation. And after a few weeks, peeling begins on the skin (first on delicate areas of the skin, and then spreads throughout the body, including number on the palms and soles).

To avoid serious complications when contracting scarlet fever, a course of antibiotics is prescribed by a doctor without fail. Penicillin group drugs successfully suppress the activity and spread of streptococci in the child’s body. In hospital settings, antibiotics are administered into the body in the form of injections, and at home - in the form of capsules or tablets (if penicillin group drugs are contraindicated for a child, another drug is used - erythromycin).

In addition to antibiotics, the course of treatment for a child with scarlet fever includes the use of antiallergic drugs (tavegil, fenkorol or diphenhydramine), vitamin, calcium gluconate. Treatment of sore throat is carried out by gargling with a solution of furatsilin (or dioxidine), as well as various infusions (calendula, sage, chamomile).

Scarlet fever, even in a mild form, can lead to various complications:

Early complications of scarlet fever manifest themselves in the form of the spread of infection to the internal tissues and organs of the child (inflammation of the middle ear, all kinds of abscesses, inflammation of the kidneys). The infection can spread to distant tissues and organs through the blood vessels, causing purulent inflammation. In severe forms, damage to the blood vessels (with internal bleeding) is possible. But the most dangerous bleeding can occur in the brain of a sick child. The action of the toxin produced by staphylococci can cause disorders in the functioning of the heart and kidneys. The child develops shortness of breath and constant chest pain (at about the 2nd week of illness).

Late complications of scarlet fever can also cause allergic brain damage (several weeks after recovery), rheumatic damage to the heart valves, articular rheumatism, glomerulonephritis (kidney damage).

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Scarlet fever in childhood

Among infectious diseases, scarlet fever in children occupies a special place. An adult can also get it, but children are more susceptible due to undeveloped immunity and poor resistance.

Just 10 years ago, this disease terrified parents and instilled fear in children, because the mortality rate from it was high. Today, this disease can be successfully treated and consequences can be avoided. However, for no disease there is nothing better than quality prevention.

What is scarlet fever and why is it dangerous?

Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease caused by excessive susceptibility of the body's defense systems to the immune complexes of streptococcus. Mostly the skin is affected, but internal organs are also often affected.

The human body is very susceptible to streptococci - bacterial pathogens of most diseases. Immunity to them is weak and not everyone develops; damage to internal organs can lead to its deficiency, and the bacterium itself develops resistance to new antibiotics.

It is the characteristics of the pathogen that explain the danger of the disease. Streptococcus can infect the throat, but the “tail” of complications will damage the kidneys, heart, and liver. Scarlet fever in children is dangerous because an infection that is not completely cured can lead to damage to these organs in a matter of hours. Treatment of complications lasts for years, and does not always end in success. Fortunately, today antibacterial agents such as flemoxin or azithromycin are available and effective, to which the bacteria do not yet have immunity.

As mentioned earlier, children are more susceptible, but adults with immunodeficiency and pregnant women are also at risk. For the latter, scarlet fever is extremely dangerous and often serves as a reason for termination of pregnancy or a contraindication to natural childbirth.

Causes

The various causes and contributing factors are called etiology. What caused the disease determines how it manifests itself - in the form of inflammation, allergies, or is asymptomatic.

Scarlet fever is an infection caused by group A streptococcus. This is a particularly persistent and strong bacterium that produces a toxin that is carried throughout the body in the blood.

What you need to know about the pathogen:

• streptococcus does not die at a temperature of 70°C, so the body cannot independently overcome the infection (be it a sore throat or scarlet fever);
• the danger is not so much the bacterium itself as the product of its vital activity - erythrotoxin, which spreads through the bloodstream to all organs and tissues (hence the rash);
• the bacterium is sensitive to antiseptics;
• the child’s body reacts sharply to streptococcus, producing an extremely aggressive immune response, which can damage organs that are not involved in the disease, such as the heart;
• It is very difficult to kill streptococcus; due to undertreatment, it often becomes a chronic inhabitant of the body, and a person becomes a carrier of the bacterium.

This is the direct cause of the disease.

In addition to this, there are also predisposing factors:

• chronic tonsillitis (frequent diseases of the throat and tonsils in particular);
• atopic dermatitis is an autoimmune disease that increases the body's reactivity to streptococcus;
• diathesis and other immune skin pathologies - for the same reason;
• malnutrition, malnutrition, low body weight relative to the age norm and, as a consequence, poor resistance;
• any immunodeficiency conditions - AIDS, HIV, pregnancy, acclimatization;
• diabetes mellitus, other endocrine pathologies;
• pathology of the adrenal glands, hormonal instability;
• chronic pathological changes in the nasopharynx - sinusitis, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis;
• regular use of immunosuppressants, such as steroid hormones, which are often prescribed for allergies, stenoses, and obstructions in children.

Each factor individually is predisposing, but if more than two coincide in one child’s body, this is a 90% probability of the disease. Despite so many factors contributing to the disease, prevention and immune support can reduce the risk many times over.

Development mechanism

How a disease develops, is transmitted, and causes symptoms is pathogenesis. Parents should know it only in general terms in order to have an understanding of the stages of the onset of symptoms.

The source of infection is a sick person or carrier. This is important, because most city residents are carriers of streptococcus - everyone suffering from a cough and runny nose. But not everyone will get sick. If the risk factors described above are present, contact with the carrier will cause the development of the disease. Without them, the child will get away with a mild cold.

Scarlet fever is transmitted by airborne droplets. Through the upper respiratory tract (the most accessible mucous membrane there), streptococcus enters the child's body. On their damp and warm surface, the bacterium multiplies, creating colonies and damaging the vulnerable mucous membrane. Among other things, it feeds and secretes metabolic products, which are absorbed into the blood and gradually distributed throughout the body.

Our blood, as a perfect environment, quickly reacts to enemy agents and activates specific cells - lymphocytes. This is called antibody function.

That is, the streptococcus bacterium and its toxin are an antigen, and lymphocytes produce antibodies. Together, this creates an “antigen-antibody” immune complex, the circulation of which causes dysfunction of internal organs and all the accompanying symptoms of scarlet fever in children.

While immune complexes are located in the upper respiratory tract, inflammation is localized in the throat. Later, a rash appears as a more systemic reaction. If the bacterium is killed, and immune complexes are still wandering through the child’s blood, consequences will be observed.

That's all parents need to understand so as not to stop the course of antibiotics halfway.

Clinical picture

Typical forms

Alas, sometimes even good prevention is not able to prevent infection. Depending on the internal forces of the child’s body, the disease can have different forms and periods of progression.

• mild, in which the symptoms are mild, the course is moderate, and complications often do not arise;
• moderate - signs of the disease are more than moderately expressed, but the course is uncomplicated and the prognosis is conditionally favorable, provided that treatment is timely;
• severe - manifested by complications, the symptoms are pronounced, difficult to correct, the prognosis is unfavorable (complications on internal organs, their insufficiency).

The severe form can also occur in different ways:

You need to know the stages of scarlet fever in order not to mistake the stage of the disease for recovery.

In total, there are 4 periods of the disease:

The incubation, or latent period, is characterized by the fact that the pathogen is already in the body, but there are no open manifestations yet. During this period, parents of a sick child may notice a slight increase in temperature and fatigue, and mistake it for ARVI. About a week passes from the moment of contact with the “culprit” to the beginning of this period. And the incubation period itself can vary from several days to a week.

The initial period is the appearance of the first signs of tonsillitis - one of the leading symptoms. It begins with a sore and sore throat, in the area of ​​the root of the tongue and tonsils. On examination, the mucous membrane of the tonsils will reveal bright redness (hyperemia) and a characteristic rash - exanthema.

This rash looks like hives. At first, the rash is only in the throat. In order to detect a scarlet fever rash, you need to look at the boundaries - it should not extend beyond the tonsils and soft palate.

Already during this period, doctors prescribe an antibacterial drug - Flemoxin, Augmentin, Erythromycin.

The baby’s skin at this stage is hard, rough and hot, but clean. This period lasts from several hours to 1-2 days. At the same stage, a changed tongue is observed - with hypertrophied papillae, bright red.

The period of rash begins one day after the throat is affected and lasts from the beginning of the first elements to five days after it. The nature of the rash is pinpoint, roseate.

The elements of the rash are located close to each other, but do not merge. Over the course of several hours, the rash spreads to the surface of the neck, upper torso in the chest area, and gradually covers the entire torso and flexor surfaces of the limbs.

On the first day, the rash is bright red and the skin resembles sandpaper. This can be explained by the fact that hair follicles increase in size. By the third day, the color changes, the rash fades and becomes muted pink. With adequate treatment, the rash may disappear by the fifth day.

It is important to remember that for the entire period of the rash, plus five days after the rash disappears, the child is contagious, which means he must be quarantined. It is not advisable to bathe your baby at this time.

In addition to the rash, during this acute period the child will experience increasing signs of intoxication. The temperature can rise to 39 degrees, and it is difficult to respond to antipyretic measures. All this is naturally accompanied by nausea, vomiting and headache. So the body tries to remove the toxin, but to no avail, because the pathogen remains intact.

The convalescence period is the time when the symptoms gradually subside, but in no case should you stop treatment. This is a period of active circulation of immune complexes in the blood. It can last 5-7 days.

Atypical forms

In some cases, the clinical picture may look atypical for scarlet fever and cause difficulties in diagnosis.

Atypical scarlet fever can occur in three ways:

1. Extrapharyngeal - intact (unaffected) tissues of the oropharynx and pharynx, but against this background regional lymphadenitis is pronounced.
2. Subclinical (erased) form - with it, typical syndromes are absent or mildly expressed.
3. The vestigial form lasts only 2-5 days.

Symptoms

To briefly describe what scarlet fever is typical for in children, the following symptoms can be identified:

• angina;
• hyperthermia;
• red tongue with hypertrophied papillae;
• intoxication phenomena;
• exanthema on the throat;
• roseola on the body.

Specific symptoms of scarlet fever:

• Filatov's symptom - pallor of the nasolabial triangle, bright crimson blush on the cheeks, bright crimson tongue;
• white dermographism - after passing a hard object over the skin, a persistent white mark remains that does not disappear within a few seconds;
• lamellar peeling and flaking on the plantar surface of the foot and palmar surface of the hands.

Streptococcal symptoms are a group of signs of damage to additional organs in the later stages (during the period of convalescence). These include:

• tachycardia;
• heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia);
• hypertension (reactive) in the first days;
• hypotension from the fourth day of illness;
• expansion of the percussion boundaries of the heart;
• systolic murmur at the apex of the heart;
• accents for splitting the second tone at the point of listening to the pulmonary artery.

In general, the full period of scarlet fever lasts days. It is very important not to miss the moment when it begins in order to start treatment on time and avoid complications.

Diagnosis of the disease

The first thing to do when any of the symptoms appear is to consult a doctor. First, you should call a pediatrician who will examine, palpate and listen to the child to determine whether it is scarlet fever, measles or a regular viral infection.

When the diagnosis of scarlet fever is confirmed, the doctor may advise you to go to the infectious diseases hospital. You shouldn’t refuse, because they will take all the necessary tests and will be able to provide full assistance that cannot be provided at home.

To make a diagnosis, the doctor must interview the patient or his parents in detail, not only about the current disease, but also about all previous infections, whether they have been vaccinated, had contacts with patients, and the presence of HIV status. Based on this history, a guess can be made.

• clinical, also known as general blood test;
• smear to determine the microflora of the throat - determine the pathogen and its number;
• analysis of venous peripheral blood to determine the titer of antibodies to group A streptococcus;
• sensitivity of streptococcus to the main drugs of therapy - Flemoxin, Azithromycin.

Laboratory diagnostics are most informative during the first days of the disease, while the concentration and activity of bacteria is maximum.

Parents do not need to know the decoding - if discovered, laboratory and clinic workers will definitely contact them. All these analyzes are monitored over time, that is, throughout the entire period of the disease.

In addition to laboratory methods, hardware methods may also be needed - ECG, ultrasound of the kidneys, heart.

Features of the course in children of different ages

The course of the disease and its consequences largely depend on how well the immune system is developed, that is, on age.

In children under one year of age, scarlet fever is almost never diagnosed. However, in some cases this may be the case. In infants, scarlet fever will be very severe; such children are kept under 24-hour medical supervision. The stages are the same as for older children.

During kindergarten age, the incidence of scarlet fever is at its peak. The course is moderate, the prognosis is favorable. The periods of the disease are milder, but last longer.

At an older age (from 14 years old), scarlet fever can cause complications, since the course is more severe and resistance, oddly enough, decreases. The prognosis is favorable with timely therapeutic measures.

As for the difference in consequences in boys and girls, there is no clinical evidence of the influence of streptococcus on the development of the gonads.

Lifestyle of a child during illness

The infection weakens the baby, so he needs to be provided with bed rest, in a room without bright lights and loud sounds. Reduce stress levels as much as possible.

Despite the fact that in our society it is customary to feed sick children, in the case of scarlet fever it is better not to do this. It is necessary to give food little by little; all foods must be boiled and ground so that they are easy to swallow. Food should be warm, not hot. The diet excludes hot, salty and spicy foods that irritate the throat.

As for the drinking regime, you need to drink a lot. It is better if it is an alkaline warm drink. The baby should have access to it around the clock. Dehydration must not be allowed. You need to drink fractionally, that is, sip at a time, but often.

It is not advisable to bathe your baby during scarlet fever, at least for the first 5-7 days. Temperature changes and unnecessary irritation will only intensify the appearance of the rash. It is also not worth treating the rash with anything.

Treatment

Drug therapy for scarlet fever must necessarily include antibiotics of the penicillin series. Streptococcus is not sensitive to the rest. Unfortunately, bacteria cannot be killed without antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment must be followed exactly as prescribed by the doctor, without unnecessary initiative.

Antibacterial drugs are used for treatment. The most frequently prescribed are Augmentin and Flemoxin. Less commonly prescribed are Erythromycin and Amoxiclav. All antibiotics can be supplied in any form - tablets, injections, suspensions.

Flemoxin is given in tablets, the children's dosage is 0.125 g once a day or 0.25 twice at the age of one to three, from three to six years, the dose is 0.25 g. Flemoxin is given for 10 days.

Augmentin has more options - syrups, drops, suspensions, tablets. You can choose the one that best suits your specific age. The dosage also depends on the form. The instructions are presented in detail on the Internet and should also be explained by the attending physician.

Along with a course of antibiotics, it is necessary to give a high-quality probiotic that will support the baby’s microflora. Flemoxin is more aggressive towards the intestines, but is more effective in terms of treatment. Augmentin is relatively gentle.

Paracetamol can be used to lower the temperature. Ibuprofen is best avoided if possible, as it has strong effects on the liver and kidneys.

Symptomatic therapy involves local anesthesia and sanitation of the throat (rinses, sprays and lozenges), treatment of concomitant pathologies such as otitis media or conjunctivitis.

It is also important to carry out adequate detoxification therapy - maintain the balance of fluids and salts.

Prevention

Not all children can get scarlet fever. Only three out of ten will become infected after contact with a sick peer. Prevention of scarlet fever infection involves stimulation of the immune system and timely treatment of ENT diseases; a cold should not be allowed to last for a long time.

Vaccination already exists for most dangerous infections, but a vaccine against scarlet fever has not yet been developed. And there is no particular need for development, because the immunity of most children is able to cope with the disease.

Scarlet fever - why is it dangerous and how to treat it?

Childhood infections are the most common problem that parents face as their baby grows and develops. These diseases are very dangerous, since untimely treatment leads to them becoming epidemic. One of the few is scarlet fever - a streptococcal disease that can be accompanied by intoxication, sore throat and the appearance of a rash.

How does infection occur?

Scarlet fever is a common infection, the source of which is a sick person or its carrier. The most dangerous are patients whose nose, pharynx, mouth and other respiratory tract are affected.

The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. The spread of this infection increases when you cough or sneeze. Group A streptococcus is transmitted due to dust in the air, contact with a patient, or the presence of a source of infection in a large group of children. Also, the spread of streptococcus can occur through toys and various objects. Foodborne contamination is possible. Mainly through dairy products.

Susceptibility to this disease is high at a young age. Newly born children have a high titer of streptococcal antitoxin, which they acquire from their mother. For this reason, in the first 3-6 months of life, children are practically not susceptible to scarlet fever. Intensive disease occurs between the ages of 3 and 8 years. In addition, this is also influenced by the climate where the child lives: in regions with a damp and cold climate, scarlet fever occurs very often, less often in hot places; in the tropics they do not even know about this disease.

How dangerous is this disease?

Most often, the infection enters through the tonsils. Less commonly, streptococcus enters the body through wounds and burns, and in extreme cases, through the respiratory tract. When a microbe enters, a pathological process begins to develop, which can be divided into separate syndromes: toxic, septic and allergic.

Toxic syndrome is formed as a result of the influence of streptococcus toxic substances on the body. Its development occurs in the first few hours after infection and is accompanied by fever, poor health, rash, reaction of the lymph nodes, and disruption of the cardiovascular system.

Septic syndrome appears when exposed to microbial factors and is manifested by inflammation of the throat, which quickly turns into a purulent form.

Allergic syndrome is caused by certain substances of streptococcus, causing the development of allergic complications. In most cases, they appear in the 2nd week of illness, at the same time the child develops a new streptococcal process.

Manifestation of scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever is cyclical with clearly defined periods:

It can vary from several hours to 7 days, most often it is 2-4 days.

The time from the appearance of the first signs of the disease to the formation of a rash can range from several hours to 1-2 days. This period is accompanied by intoxication and sore throat. Intoxication is manifested by an increase in temperature, headache, vomiting and rapid heartbeat. Sore throat is expressed by sore throat, redness in the mucous membranes and tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes.

A rash appears on the skin and lasts for 4-5 days. First comes the peak stage, which lasts 1-2 days, then the symptoms decrease, which is caused by the extinction stage.

The rash is pinpoint. In the first days it is quite abundant, bright red in color. The rash is localized on the neck, chest, abdomen, thighs and legs. The rash is stronger in the folds and lasts much longer than on other parts of the body.

In addition, scarlet fever can be easily detected by the external changes of the child: the nasolabial triangle becomes very pale, the cheeks acquire a bright blush, and the lips become cherry colored.

The appearance of the baby's tongue also changes. In the first days of the disease, it has a white coating, then after a few days it begins to clear, and on the fifth day the tongue takes on a crimson appearance. This is caused by hypertrophy of the papillae.

Recovery begins in the second week of illness. After 1.5-2 weeks the child is practically healthy. Scarlet fever reminds itself only by peeling of the skin and changes in the tongue.

Treatment of scarlet fever.

Treatment is carried out both at home and in a hospital. Hospitalization is carried out only in cases of a child’s serious condition, if the child is under three years old and if quarantine at home is not possible. Bed rest must be observed throughout the illness. In addition, there must be a diet appropriate for the baby’s age.

All patients with scarlet fever undergo antibacterial therapy. For streptococcus, antibiotics must be prescribed so as not to damage the heart and kidneys. In most cases, the doctor recommends the use of penicillin and similar drugs, which are administered intramuscularly or intravenously for two weeks.

If scarlet fever has taken a more severe form, detoxification therapy is carried out, in which a solution of glucose, albumin, rheopolyglucin and hemodez is prescribed into the body.

Timely detection of scarlet fever and correctly prescribed treatment very quickly help to cope with the disease without the development of subsequent complications.

Scarlet fever in children: incubation period and preventive measures

Scarlet fever is often transmitted by airborne droplets from a sick person to a healthy person. Children aged 2 to 10 years are more susceptible to this pathology. Breastfeeding suffers from the disease very rarely due to maternal immunity. Unlike rubella and chickenpox, which for the most part occur without consequences, this disease can make itself known after a few years. To protect their child from this unpleasant pathological process, every parent needs to know how scarlet fever is transmitted in children, the incubation period of the disease and what distinctive symptoms it has.

Transmission routes

Routes of transmission of the disease in children

First you need to understand what scarlet fever is? This is a disease that is infectious in nature. The main symptom is a small rash that spreads throughout the body, with the exception of the head.

The disease mainly affects children of preschool and school age, less often newborns and adults.

How is the disease transmitted? This question worries all parents whose children are at risk.

There are two main routes of infection:

1. Airborne, which is familiar to absolutely everyone. Bacteria are released when you sneeze or cough.
2. Through various objects. Pathogenic microorganisms settle on toys, clothes, dishes, etc. Both sick and healthy children can use them.

It is extremely rare that a baby passing through the birth canal of an infected mother becomes infected with scarlet fever.

Incubation period of the disease

What is meant by the concept of “incubation period”? This is the time when the pathogen has entered the body of a healthy person, but there are no symptoms of the pathological process. It ends as soon as the first signs appear.

Doctors divide the course of this disease into several stages:

1. Incubation or latent period.
2. The appearance of the first symptoms of pathology.
3. Progression of the pathological process.
4. Recovery.

The development of such a pathological process has a certain incubation period. This means that there is a certain period during which no signs of the pathological process are noted. At this stage, only the progression and development of streptococcus in human tissues takes place. In addition, during this period the bacterium releases endotoxin, a poison that affects living cells, and its concentration may be small.

For this pathology, the incubation period continues until scarlet fever begins to manifest itself with characteristic symptoms. During this time, streptococcus seeps into the structure of biological fluids of the human body.

Increased release of pathogenic microorganisms into the external environment occurs within 7 days after the onset of the first symptoms of scarlet fever. At the same time, the incubation period has already ended and a new stage has begun - the progression of the disease.

It is important to know! The incubation period depends on certain characteristics of the organism. It is worth understanding that, regardless of its duration, an infected child is no different from a healthy one, but he is considered a dangerous carrier of scarlet fever.

How long is the incubation period?

The duration of the latent period is always influenced by certain factors: the general condition of the child and his immune system. This only means that in each specific case it lasts differently.

In medical practice, the average incubation period in children for a disease such as scarlet fever is 2–7 days. There are also cases when its duration was less than 12 hours and more than 12 days.

Duration of the incubation period in children with scarlet fever

As a rule, a short latent period during such a pathological process is observed in children with weak immunity or in the presence of certain chronic diseases.

The incubation period of scarlet fever can be significantly increased by undergoing medical treatment, namely taking antibacterial agents. However, its duration can range from 10–14 days.

It is worth remembering that scarlet fever is especially dangerous not only for the sick child, but also for the people around him.

Quarantine for children

As soon as an educational institution is informed about a child infected with scarlet fever, quarantine is immediately declared. Its duration ranges from 14–20 days. At the same time, not only the sick person himself, but also the children who had contact with him, are exempt from classes in the children's group.

If a child has previously suffered from this disease, he is not exempt from attending kindergarten or school. As a rule, such a child should be examined every day by a nurse.

During the declared quarantine period, various surfaces, dishes, and toys are treated with disinfectants every day. In addition, quartz treatment and ventilation of the premises are also carried out.

Therapy for scarlet fever is usually carried out at home, but sometimes in particularly severe situations a sick child is required to be hospitalized. For this reason, quarantine measures should be taken not only in child care institutions, but also at home, especially if there is more than one child in the family. All other children should be isolated from the infected person, since scarlet fever can be transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact.

Preventive measures in children's institutions

Prevention of scarlet fever in children's institutions

If an outbreak of such a disease was recorded in a preschool or school institution, then a number of measures are immediately taken that are aimed at further preventing the spread of the “infection.” These include:

1. Children are examined daily by a medical professional. At the same time, each child has their temperature taken and their throat checked. If a specialist detects even minor manifestations of the disease, the child is immediately sent home with his parents.
2. Wet cleaning is carried out in the group or class several times a day. All surfaces must be treated with special disinfectants. If there is a quartz lamp in the room, then it is quartzed several times. Children should not be present during this procedure.
3. Carpets and soft toys must be removed from the classroom or group during quarantine. It is recommended to treat them in advance with special disinfectant solutions.
4. All employees of a preschool or school institution who are constantly in contact with children should be sent for an unscheduled examination to an ENT doctor.

It is important to know! Quarantine for such a disease in any children's institution lasts no more than 21 days from the moment of the last recorded case of the disease. At the same time, during this period, new children are not accepted and everyone attending kindergarten or school is carefully monitored.

Unfortunately, at the moment there is still no vaccine against such a pathological process, therefore the only effective method to protect yourself and your child from scarlet fever is maximum caution. The disease can be transmitted through the air, so it is recommended to refrain from any contact with infected people.

So, we found out that scarlet fever in children is a rather severe and serious disease, the incubation period of which depends on certain factors. By contacting a pediatrician in a timely manner, dire consequences can be avoided. Remember that this disease is quite dangerous in its spread, sometimes taking on the character of an epidemic. If an outbreak in a children's institution could not be avoided, then the staff takes preventive measures to prevent the spread of scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever is a disease in crimson tones. Children's doctor:

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Scarlet fever is dangerous because of its complications, which can develop in both children and adults. The likelihood of developing complications of scarlet fever is quite high, but if antibiotics are used to treat the infection, then it is reduced to almost zero. It is the prevention of severe complications that necessitates antibiotic therapy for scarlet fever.

The entire set of complications can be divided into immediate and long-term. Immediate complications develop immediately during the active course of scarlet fever, and long-term complications develop several weeks or months after recovery. The mechanism of development of long-term and immediate complications is different. The fact is that immediate complications develop due to the spread of infection (streptococci, which are the causative agents of scarlet fever) to tissues and organs located next to the tonsils, for example, ear, sinuses, neck tissue, brain, etc.

Long-term complications are formed on the basis of autoimmune reactions. The fact is that to fight scarlet fever, the body's immune system produces a huge amount of antibodies, which are necessary to destroy streptococci, which are the causative agents of the infection. After recovery, a fairly large amount of antibodies remains in the body, which cannot be utilized by the immune system in the bloodstream in a short time, as a result of which they circulate in the blood. These antibodies have an affinity not only for streptococci, but also for the cells of the heart, joints, kidneys and brain, and, therefore, can “attack” these organs when they enter them through the bloodstream. As a result, excess antibodies begin to “attack” the cells of any of the four listed organs, since streptococci are no longer in the human body. Under the influence of “attacks” of antibodies in the cells, an autoimmune inflammatory process begins, manifested by a serious disruption of the functions of the affected organ.

To the nearest complications Scarlet fever includes sinusitis (sinusitis, sinusitis), otitis, sepsis, neck phlegmon, lymphadenitis, ulcers in the throat. Scarlet fever otitis is very dangerous because it is prone to rapid spread of infection to the brain, which leads to the development of arachnoiditis and meningitis. Cellulitis of the neck is a purulent melting of tissue due to the penetration of streptococci between the ligaments and muscles. Cellulitis is a rather dangerous condition, as it can be complicated by sepsis. Lymphadenitis is a purulent inflammation in the lymph nodes and vessels, which goes away on its own or forms an abscess that has to be opened. However, lymphadenitis ends without serious consequences. In principle, all immediate complications can be quite dangerous if effective antibiotic treatment is not started in a timely manner.

Long-term complications Scarlet fever is much more dangerous than the closest ones and includes arthritis, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis and PANDAS syndrome.

Arthritis that develops as a complication of scarlet fever is called "acute rheumatic fever." They usually manifest themselves 1 to 2 weeks after recovery from scarlet fever and represent inflammation of any joints. Arthritis is not dangerous; as a rule, it goes away on its own and does not cause negative consequences.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of various tissues of the heart. This complication of scarlet fever is dangerous and entails negative consequences. The fact is that myocarditis is actually considered the beginning of rheumatism. And rheumatism is a long-term disease, during which heart defects form. On average, about 20 years pass from the manifestation of rheumatism to the formation of heart disease.

Glomerulonephritis is a very severe complication of scarlet fever, the essence of which is inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys. The outcome of glomerulonephritis can be severe renal failure or death.

PANDAS syndrome (Sydenham's chorea) is a set of neurological disorders that occur in a person who has had scarlet fever due to autoimmune damage to certain brain structures responsible for emotions, speech and coordination of movements. Sydenham's chorea develops in 20–30% of children suffering from scarlet fever. For adults, the development of this complication of scarlet fever is not typical. PANDAS syndrome is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Changes in attitude towards food (for example, the child eats a lot or refuses food);


• The appearance of causeless anxiety, tearfulness and aggressiveness in the child;


• Decreased academic performance;


• Development of bedwetting;


• The appearance of unnatural movements of the mouth, arms, legs, lips and tongue.

Sydenham's chorea can be treated quite successfully, and more than half of all children suffering from this complication of scarlet fever recover completely within a few months. In other cases, neurological disorders in the child remain for years.

Content

The absence of dangerous consequences is typical only for mild scarlet fever. In other cases, the pathogen causes serious consequences: scarlet fever is provoked by streptococcus, which affects the lymph nodes, cardiovascular system, joints, immunity, hemostasis, kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

Why complications arise

The entry points for streptococcus to enter the body are the mucous membrane of the tonsils, oropharynx and damaged skin. Once the bacterium enters the human body, it causes an infection. The mechanism of its development:

1. Streptococcus attaches to lymphocytes due to lipoteichoic acid in its cells.
2. Next, there is an active release of toxins: streptolysin, peptidoglycan, hyaluronidase, A-polysaccharide, protein M.
3. Toxins inhibit the activity of phagocytes, thereby preventing the capture of pathogenic cells.
4. Erythrogenic toxin causes a rash due to a sharp expansion of capillaries and an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin.
5. Streptolysin provokes hemolysis, cardiohepatotoxin affects the diaphragm, myocardium, and liver. This leads to the development of other disorders in children.

Classification of the consequences of scarlet fever

According to one classification, complications after scarlet fever are divided into types depending on the form of the disease. The following groups of consequences are distinguished:

• Infectious. Associated with the spread of streptococcus from the primary focus through the bloodstream throughout the body.
• Toxic. They develop due to waste products of streptococci.
• Allergic. They arise as a response of the immune system to streptococcal cells in the body.

Complications of scarlet fever in children

Depending on the time of occurrence, all complications after scarlet fever in boys and girls are divided into two groups. In children, the following consequences are identified:

• Early. They are formed due to severe intoxication of the body during the active phase and in the first days after treatment. Early consequences directly depend on the severity of the disease. They are more often detected with severe symptoms of streptococcal infection or its toxic-septic form.
• Late. Their cause is an allergic factor. All streptococci are the strongest provocateurs of the immune system. Under the influence of this bacterium, the immune system begins to “fight” its own body. Late consequences are not associated with the form and severity of streptococcal infection.

Early

The early group includes variants of the development of the streptococcal infection itself in the body. Consequences arise due to the fact that streptococci spread from the primary source of inflammation and affect other organs.

In severe and hypertoxic cases of the disease, disruption of the blood vessels may occur. This can lead to hemorrhages in internal organs, including the brain.

Other early complications:

• accumulation of purulent masses in the tonsils;
• cervical lymphadenitis;
• otitis;
• tonsillitis;
• sinusitis;
• purulent processes in the kidneys and liver.

Late

Late effects include those that occur approximately 3 weeks after recovery from scarlet fever. Recurrence of this disease also occurs. Other types:

• Rheumatism of the joints. Develops approximately 15 days after recovery from streptococcal infection. Rheumatism causes pain in the knees, elbows and finger joints. The disease is characterized by asymmetrical lesions, i.e. pain occurs on one side or the other of the body. There is also hyperemia of the skin in the area above the joint.
• Heart valve disorders. Associated with diseases of an allergic nature. The complication can only be eliminated surgically. The valves become less elastic and may burst. This disorder is one of the reasons for the development of heart failure at a young age. Patients who have had scarlet fever and suffer from joint pain are strongly recommended to be examined by a cardiologist.
• Chorea. Its development begins on the 15th–20th day after the end of the disease. Absent-mindedness, nervousness, poor sleep, inadequate response to stimuli are the main symptoms of Sydenham's chorea. After a while, arms and legs begin to shake, and speech changes. In some cases, the child remains with impairments, for example, in gait or coordination.
• Streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Pain in the lower back, increased temperature after scarlet fever, swelling, decreased urine volume are the main signs of pathology. Often it is completely cured and leaves no traces.

Scarlet fever belongs to the group of acute infectious diseases. Intoxication, fever, rash, acute tonsillitis are the main symptoms of this disease. The causative agent of the disease is group A streptococcus. Let's figure out why scarlet fever is dangerous? After all, many parents try to be aware of what their child may suffer from in childhood.

Distributors of this are people with scarlet fever. Infection occurs after communication with a carrier of the infection. The main “gate” for the penetration of streptococcus is the mucous membrane of the mouth, pharynx, and sometimes the lungs. People who do not have this disease are at increased risk.

First symptoms of the disease

The incubation period for the development of the disease lasts from 1 to 12 days, which is why scarlet fever is dangerous, since people for a long time do not even suspect that their health is in danger. From the onset of the disease to the appearance of the first symptoms, an average of 6-12 hours pass. A red dotted rash appears on the skin of the neck, torso, and limbs. The rash then spreads along the inner thighs, in the areas of skin folds. , sore throat, weakness, nausea, and sometimes vomiting appear. Depending on the severity of the disease, the temperature can rise from 38 to 40-41 0 C. The lymph nodes become enlarged.

A typical symptom is changes in the tongue. On the first day of illness, it becomes covered with a thick white coating. By the end of the fifth day, the plaque disappears, the tongue turns a bright crimson color, and the papillae hypertrophy. This condition persists for 1-2 weeks. Approximately from the second week of the disease, peeling of the skin and tongue begins.

Scarlet fever is also dangerous because it is always accompanied by acute tonsillitis, during which swelling of the membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx and tonsils is observed. In severe cases of the disease, necrotic changes in the tonsils are possible.

How dangerous is scarlet fever?

With scarlet fever, complications are quite common. Otitis and sinusitis are what scarlet fever is dangerous for. The most severe forms of complications include sepsis, and those caused by streptococcus, mastoiditis, adenophlegmon, which, fortunately, are very rare.

How is the treatment carried out?

In mild cases of scarlet fever, treatment can be carried out at home under the supervision of a specialist. You should not self-medicate, as this can lead to serious consequences and complications. If the form of the disease is more severe and dangerous to health, then the patient needs hospitalization.

Prevention of scarlet fever

Children are not given prophylactic vaccinations against scarlet fever; they simply do not exist. As a preventive measure, at the first suspicion of this disease, a child should be isolated for a period of at least 10 days. At the same time, everything that the patient has touched should be disinfected. Treat with bleach and thoroughly ventilate the room several times a day, boil the linen, previously soaked in a 2% soda solution (it must be washed separately from the linen of other family members in hot water). Dishes used by a sick child should also be washed in a weak soda solution and doused with boiling water.

Scarlet fever is a dangerous infectious disease caused by hemolytic streptococcus. The symptoms of the disease are pronounced, sometimes a latent form develops, posing the greatest danger to others.

Scarlet fever in children is severe, intoxication of the body develops, and the body becomes covered with a rash. A vaccine has not yet been developed. The risk group is children 3–10 years old. Infants retain immunity transmitted from the mother. After children reach 10 years of age, the disease is rarely recorded.

Causes

The causative agent of scarlet fever is toxic hemolytic streptococcus group A. In some healthy people, bacteria of this type are always present in the body.

Factors provoking the activity of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• chronic tonsillitis;
• chronic diseases of the ENT organs;
• lack of body weight;
• AIDS;
• long-term use of glucocorticosteroids;
• pathologies of the adrenal glands;
• diabetes.

Transmission routes:

• airborne. The pathogen enters a healthy body when coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing;
• streptococcal infection is isolated from the throat and nasopharynx. The concentration of pathogenic bacteria in tonsil swabs is many times higher than in healthy people.

Note:

• Streptococcus cannot survive outside the body for long. The pathogen is not transmitted through household items;
• Scientists have proven that it is impossible to become infected from carriers of hemolytic streptococcus before the onset of the acute phase of the disease.

Is immunity to scarlet fever formed? The body produces antibodies to toxins - waste products of streptococcus.

Most patients who have suffered this dangerous infectious disease can forget about the risk of re-infection throughout their lives. Only about 1% of people become infected again. The clinical picture does not change the second time.

Signs and symptoms

There are two stages of the disease:

• toxic. Noted in the early stages of the disease. Under the influence of a powerful dose of toxins, metabolic processes are disrupted and nervous system disorders appear;
• allergic. After two to three weeks, the body, saturated with toxins, reacts sharply to the action of the pathogen: the heart rate increases, and attacks of fever are observed. At this stage, complications develop - lymphadenitis, synovitis, nephritis.

The clinical picture of the disease is extremely severe. Young patients do not tolerate the effects of streptococcus well.

How does the disease manifest? The main symptoms of scarlet fever in children:

• incubation period 3–7 days, occasionally – 11;
• the temperature rises sharply to 39 C;
• swallowing causes severe pain;
• nausea, vomiting occurs;
• the skin is still clean, but hot.

Scarlet fever rash:

• in the first 12 hours, rashes appear only in the throat area;
• by the end of the second day of illness, a characteristic rash spreads throughout the body;
• color - from pink to dark red. The rash has a dotted pattern, turning into linear stripes at the folds;
• rashes primarily appear on the neck, then spread to the upper chest, back, and then to other areas;
• the most noticeable, bright rashes are on the inside of the thighs, on the sides of the abdomen, in the groin folds;
• small dots do not appear everywhere. There is no rash on the lips, middle of the face, chin, or nasolabial triangle.

Other signs of scarlet fever in children:

• angina. A characteristic symptom leads to a sore throat, the child has difficulty swallowing;
• the tonsils become covered with films, the pharynx turns red;
• the nearest lymph nodes become inflamed and swollen;
• a small patient is bothered by severe, frequent headaches;
• the child becomes irritable, restless, and occasionally has seizures;
• intoxication, overheating of the body due to high temperature provokes vomiting;
• another sign is chapped lips, a white-yellow coating on the tongue;
• after 2 days the unpleasant mass becomes smaller, the tip and edges of the tongue turn bright crimson;
• Constipation often develops; in infants, on the contrary, diarrhea develops.

How many days is a child contagious? Fortunately, the torment does not last so long:

• already from the 5th day the symptoms weaken: the temperature drops, the general condition improves;
• after a week, uncomplicated sore throat almost goes away;
• the rash disappears after 5–7 days. The skin looks healthy, no pigmented areas remain;
• after 14 days the tongue is cleared;
• towards the end of the second week, the skin begins to peel off in different parts of the body;
• the skin peels off from the fingers and palms in large pieces;
• After two to three weeks, the skin is completely cleared.

Treatment of the disease

It is impossible to miss the first signs of scarlet fever. Call a doctor right away. Severe cases with a temperature of 40 C require hospitalization of a small patient. The treatment is carried out by a pediatric infectious disease specialist.

Outpatient treatment is prescribed by a pediatrician. Recognizing the disease is not difficult. Sore throat, characteristic rash, fever are the main symptoms.

In some cases you will need:

• general blood analysis;
• study of venous blood to determine the level of immune response;
• throat swab to confirm the presence of streptococcus.

The task of the doctor and parents is to help the child, especially a small one, cope with the manifestations of a dangerous infection.

• give the patient a separate room;
• provide peace;
• give more liquid. The doctor will tell you the quantity;
• in the acute phase, bed rest is required;
• ventilate the room more often;
• do not allow excessive dry air, especially during periods of rising temperatures;
• provide the patient with separate dishes and a towel;
• after eating, soak the plates, cups, and cutlery used by the child for half an hour in a hot soap-soda solution;
• wash your hands with soap as often as possible;
• wet clean the room daily;
• Wash your hands well after contact with a sick person.

Important! Did you ever have scarlet fever as a child? Wear a medical mask when caring for your son or daughter.

You can also read about other childhood diseases on our website. For example, read about measles in children and an article about baby diaper dermatitis.

Medications

Don't delay calling a doctor. Timely administration of antibacterial drugs will prevent the development of severe forms of the disease.

• antibiotics for scarlet fever in children - macrolide group (Azithromycin), penicillin group (Amoxicillin). Advanced cases and complications require the prescription of a number of cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone);
• at high temperatures you will need Paracetamol, Ibuprofen. Aspirin is not recommended for young patients;
• It is necessary to prescribe sorbents that remove toxins. Enterosgel, White Coal are effective;
• strong doses of toxins inevitably worsen the patient's condition. Antihistamines will help relieve allergic reactions. Diazolin, Diphenhydramine, Suprastin are suitable. Remember: some drugs have age restrictions;
• rinse inflamed tonsils with Fupacilin solution, sage decoction, and lubricate with Lugol. At the end of the acute period, a quartz tube will help to cope with the residual symptoms of a sore throat;
• Occasionally, minor hemorrhages were observed in individual areas. Ascorutin is effective in improving blood microcirculation.

Traditional methods and recipes

Medication therapy is well complemented by home remedies. Decoctions, infusions, rinses strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body of toxins, and successfully fight sore throat.

Check with your pediatrician to see if this or that product can be used. Always consider age restrictions.

How to treat scarlet fever in a child? Proven traditional medicine recipes will help. Choose the right one.

Valerian powder
One of the best remedies during the development of a dangerous disease. Give the patient 1–2 g of the product daily. The smaller the child, the lower the dosage.

Dissolve the powder in water, rosehip infusion, herbal decoction. Number of receptions – 3.

Pumpkin for boils
An unusual compress will help with blisters and purulent formations on the tonsils. Collect the long fibers from the inside of a ripe pumpkin. Moisten with fresh milk and carefully place on the areas of infection.

For older children, ask them to hold the fibers with their fingers. As the compress dries out, replace it with a fresh one. For younger ones, chop the fibers and grind with milk. Lubricate inflamed tonsils several times a day.

Lemon, citric acid
The old recipe is effective at the onset of the disease. Prepare a fresh slice of lemon every hour. Give it to the patient and let him suck out the juice little by little.

Another way. Prepare a 30% citric acid solution. Gargle after an hour or two. Lemon saturates the body with vitamin C, gives strength, and dissolves plaque on the tonsils.

Vitamin drink
Mix a glass of lingonberry (cranberry) and lemon juice and heat. Drink a warm drink little by little throughout the day. Gargling with a mixture of juices has a good effect.

Gargling with medicinal herbs
Healing decoctions will help relieve sore throats and relieve inflammation. Prepare a collection or use medicinal raw materials separately. Per liter of boiling water - 2 tbsp. l. sage herbs, chamomile flowers, calendula.

Parsley infusion
A simple, affordable folk remedy. Grind the washed roots, place in a thermos, pour in 200 ml of boiling water. Let the product sit for 5-6 hours. Give the patient a warm infusion three times a day.

Diet for illness

In the acute stage, appetite is reduced, the baby is reluctant to eat. Nausea, vomiting, constipation weaken the body.

What to feed the child? Some useful tips:

• food should be liquid and warm;
• offer small portions 5–6 times throughout the day;
• keep drinking regime. Give rosehip infusion, herbal decoctions, weak tea.

Allowed:

• milk;
• low-fat soups with chicken broth, vegetable broth;
• pureed boiled vegetables;
• viscous porridge;
• juices;
• fruit puree.

• fatty, spicy, sour, salty dishes;
• solid food;
• sweets that interfere with the healing process.

Advice! Constipation is a common occurrence with scarlet fever. Steamed, crushed dried fruits, age-appropriate laxatives, and a warm herbal bath will help you cope with them.

Possible complications

The danger of hemolytic streptococcus is its ability to cause other diseases. If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, the infection affects neighboring areas, sinusitis and otitis media develop.

Sometimes complications of scarlet fever in children appear in a later period. Against the background of the underlying disease, glomerulonephritis, erysipelas, and rheumatism develop.

The immune system weakens and the risk of infection increases when visiting public places or children's groups. Immediately after recovery, contact with other children is prohibited. You can go to school or preschool only after 22 days.

There is no vaccination against scarlet fever. No remedy has yet been developed that can protect against infection.

How to protect yourself? To prevent scarlet fever in children, the recommendations are simple:

• strengthen the immune system;
• wash your hands thoroughly after visiting public places;
• When caring for patients, take precautions.

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease with a severe course. If you wish the best for your child, do not hesitate, call a doctor. Timely prescribed medications will prevent complications.

Video in which Doctor Komarovsky talks about scarlet fever in children: