Scarlet fever is a widespread. Dreaded infectious disease. What's behind it and how to treat it, you learn here.
scarlet fever: What is scarlet fever anyway?
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infectious disease, which predominantly affects children. The bacteria are Streptococcus (which can also cause erysipelas), which contain toxic substances. It usually leads to sore throat and rash on the skin.
Anyone who has caught an infection from streptococci is basically immune to the pathogen in the future, but since there are many different pathogens, one can also be several times to scarlet fever get sick.
Scarlet fever: Transmission and outbreak of scarlet fever
– The Danger of transmission with the bacteria is absolutely given. Many people carry the pathogen in themselves without being affected by the disease themselves. The bacteria are then usually transmitted via the talking or coughing spread in the air, so that a transmission can happen by inhalation of the pathogens. More rarely, but certainly possible, is an infection through Shared items such as cutlery. – Once you've contracted the bacteria, it usually takes up to three days, until the disease breaks out. Those who are treated with antibiotics are already 24 hours after ingestion no longer contagious. Without treatment with antibiotics, however, the risk of infection is also 3 weeks later still possible. – In principle anyone with the infection, However, children are particularly affected by the disease.
Scarlet fever: Symptoms
– Scarlet fever does not come creeping like many diseases, but with full force. fever, rash, sore throat, vomiting – the list of symptoms is long and unpleasant. The rash usually appears within the first 48 hours after infection with the bacteria. These are small, pale spots that later become reddened. Except for the hands and feet, virtually any part of the body can be affected, but a spot in the groin area and on the head, neck, arms and legs is typical. The spots go after about a week back again. – During the infection, the area around the mouth around usually very pale and the tongue is covered with a layer, one also speaks of a Raspberry Tongue. What a busy tongue means, you learn here.
Scarlet fever: Treatment of scarlet fever
Anyone who has contracted scarlet fever should consult a doctor immediately. This treats the disease with the antibiotic penicillin. In this case, the so-called penicillin V administered as a tablet to prevent complications and to establish resistance to the streptococci.
Even if you are no longer contagious after taking penicillin just one day later, you take Antibiotics for at least ten days a.
Scarlet fever: Effects of scarlet fever
With proper treatment scarlet fever passes without major complications. In general, you should always have any abnormality examined by your doctor. Take antibiotics as prescribed.
Scarlet fever: Precaution
– It exists no reliable precaution, to prevent the disease with scarlet fever. There is no vaccination against the streptococci. It is important that an infection is identified by symptoms such as fever, rash or vomiting quickly recognized to avoid complications and further infection. – Particularly in kindergartens and schools, close contact quickly leads to transmission through the children. It is therefore important to avoid thorough hygiene such as hand washing value to be placed.
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