Scarlet fever is the acute infectious disease caused by group A streptococcus. Children of preschool and younger school age are ill mainly.
Instruction
1. A source of an infection are patients with a tonsillitis, scarlet fever and carriers of streptococci healthy by sight. Infection occurs in the airborne way at cough, sneezing, a kiss. It is possible to be infected through the general ware or having just touched a subject which was held before by the sick person.
2. Incubatory (the hidden period) at scarlet fever from 1 to 10 days last, the patient is infectious in 2 days prior to emergence of the first symptoms and about three more weeks. When the microbe gets on a mucous membrane of a nasopharynx, it begins to develop a large amount of poison there - erythrotoxin. Erythrotoxin destroys blood cells - erythrocytes - and causes poisoning of all organism. Under its influence small vessels in skin and in all internals extend therefore characteristic rash and peeling develops.
3. Scarlet fever usually begins with sharp temperature rise, patients are disturbed by severe pain in a throat when swallowing, a headache, the general weakness. In several hours there is melkotochechny rash of bright red color covering all surface of a body. Characteristic symptom of scarlet fever - condensation of rash in elbow bends, inguinal folds, axillary hollows. Skin at the same time very dry and rough to the touch (reminds an emery paper).
4. On a face of a rash are localized generally on cheeks and temples, and the nasolabial triangle remains pale is one more characteristic symptom of scarlet fever. At survey of a pharynx it is possible to see the red tonsils covered with a purulent raid, language at the same time of crimson color with sharply increased nipples. Physicians call it ""the flaring pharynx"".
5. In several days the state improves, temperature is normalized, skin turns pale and very strong peeling, especially on palms begins. It lasts about 10 days. At in due time begun treatment the forecast favorable, but complications all the same can develop. The most frequent are purulent otitis, damage of lymph nodes, pneumonia, glomerulonefrit (damage of kidneys) and arthritises. Therefore it is very important to watch after recovery a condition of the child and at his change to see a doctor.
6. Treatment of uncomplicated scarlet fever is spent at home. The bed rest is appointed to 10 days, a course of antibiotics, rinsings of a throat Furacilin solution, camomile broth, an eucalyptus. Also vitamins and antiallergic means are applied if the severe itch disturbs. After recovery the lifelong immunity is formed.
7. Prevention: - observance of rules of personal hygiene; - regular airings and damp cleaning in the room where there is a patient; - the children who were in contact with the patient are allowed in collective after isolation within 7 days; - vaccination against scarlet fever is not carried out.