Scarlet fever in children: symptoms, prevention, treatment

Inspection of the throat

Scarlet fever make people sick in ancient times. The symptoms were described 17th century. But the doctors of that time couldn't tell, scarlet fever or measles, and rubella, but it does not interfere, as the human race continues to exist on the Earth today. We can only wonder, as in the days when there were no antibiotics, managed to heal this insidious disease.

So think about it once again, maybe that treatment is not quackery, as is often said the official medicine.

Route of infection

The causative agent is Streptococcus, which can be introduced into the body by inhalation of droplets of saliva secreted sneezing or coughing sick person. However, it is possible infection through clothing and toys to a sick child.

An important factor is that the toxins produced by Streptococcus, can cause the production of allergens, can affect the body's own tissues.

The vast majority of sick children from 1 year to 16 years. Newborn babies do not get sick, as protected by powerful immunity derived from mother's milk.

Most acute scarlet fever in children develops when the penetration of infection through airborne droplets when the Streptococcus is embedded in the mucous membranes, most often in the tonsils, where, and begins to multiply, releasing so-called eritromicin. Other ways to introduce infection to the baby for quite a long time will feel General malaise, joint pain, drowsiness, lack of appetite.

The disease begins with an incubation period of up to twelve days. The disease is seasonal, occurring more often in autumn and winter, when the child's body lacks the vitamins and are more prone to colds.

Signs of scarlet fever

Sore throat

The first signs of the disease, a hyperthermia and soreness in the throat. Puffy face. Headache, nausea with retching. Take a few hours and the rash will appear as small red dots on the pink background of the skin. The rash may cover the whole body, but mostly located on the sides, bend the elbow and knee joints, groin and chest.

The skin becomes dry, rough when stroking. On the sixth-the seventh day begins to peel off, first affecting the face, neck, then all the other parts of the body. A distinguishing feature of scarlet fever – with peeling of feet and palms of the skin is literally removed layers.

The child cannot focus the sight, eyes painful Shine. In severe cases not excluded agitation, delirium, blackout.

Other characteristic symptoms:

  • The tongue, at first brownish, soon becoming a bright crimson due to the fact that under the influence of the toxin of Streptococcus destroyed protective film, exposing the papillae. The language is rough.
  • Her cheeks bright red.
  • The triangle between the nose and the lips, on the contrary, pale, gradually acquiring a grayish tint.
  • Throat is burning bright red, the tonsils covered with a purulent coating.

Paying attention to symptoms, it should be borne in mind that the red tongue of the child could be for another reason, e.g.: anemia is lack of iron, vitamin b – 12, b – 9. But C language will be smoother because the papillae atrophy. This differs from scarlet fever.

Interestingly, if the disease arose from contact with the agent is not airborne, and through traumatized skin (abrasion, laceration), the clinical symptoms of scarlet fever are identical, with one exception – the absence of angina.

Treatment

Bed rest

Scarlet fever in children is easy and of moderate severity, which is determined by the doctor, treated at home. Severe disease dictates hospitalization. In addition, inpatient treatment is provided to children from groups that have no possibility of home treatment.

Strictly prescribed by the patient stay in bed for the entire period of rash, and three to five days, beyond that. A sick child should be isolated in a separate room, use of separate utensils. He is allocated an individual towel and linen.

Children who have survived the disease, will be able to return to preschooland in the first two classes of the school not earlier than twenty days of home quarantine after proper treatment and complete recovery.

Diet

Scarlet fever in children requires a special diet during the entire acute period of the disease.

With the aim of removing toxins from the body needs plenty of warm drinks.

Since scarlet fever in a child is usually accompanied by pain in the throat when swallowing, the food should be as lenient as possible. Everything should be served in well cooked, grated and semi-liquid form. Meal only warm, in any case, neither hot nor cold, so as not to irritate the mucous membranes of the oropharynx.

In remission acute period of the disease can gradually return to normal diet.

Antibacterial therapy

Antibacterial preparation

Modern treatment begins with the prescription of antibiotics, at home – in pill form, hospital – parenteral introduction of age dose. Usually strep has a harmful effect penicillins. If the child doesn't like them, is assigned to erythromycin.

If scarlet fever the child is toxic for welcomed the use of antitoxic serum. Latter is obtained from horses that have experienced infection scarlatinous toxin of the Streptococcus. However, the use of this drug is only effective in the first two days of onset of disease, and, it should be emphasized that the drug is indicated only in the presence of all the signs and symptoms of toxic course of the disease.

Restorative and symptomatic therapy

Treatment with antibiotics is mandatory is complemented by the appointment of ascorbic acid, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and antioxidant.

Unconditional good will from vitamins. Since sickness is inherent in Allergy symptoms, shown antihistamines: Diphenhydramine, Zyrtec, and calcium gluconate preventing the development of allergic reactions.

Pain and other symptoms sore throat it is recommended to remove by rinsing with solutions of sage, chamomile, furatsilina, calendula.

Signs of nausea, headache can be reduced by applying to the head cold. The same procedure can complement the treatment of hyperthermia.

Cold lotions should be applied on the eyes when there are signs of inflammation.

Achieving accelerated elimination of toxins from the body, it is recommended to take activated charcoal and laxatives, if there are no contraindications.

Since treatment with antibiotics can lead to dysbiosis, probiotics should be assigned, for example, hilak Forte.

Treatment of folk remedies

Treatment of folk remedies

Given the signs of intoxication, healers suggest to reduce it using vegetables, supplementing their methods of official medicine. Recommended to eat:

  • Beet.
  • Radish.
  • Cabbage.
  • Horseradish.
  • Pumpkin.

These vegetables absorb toxins like a sponge, contribute to their elimination. Puree the cooked vegetables consumed in the first seven days of the disease are also help to detoxify the body and prevent complications.

About the bee products have long been known. They performed as the prevention and therapy of scarlet fever. The main thing here is the honey, which strengthens the immune system, healing effect on the walls of blood vessels, restoring endothelium.

Propolis is widely spread because of its action on the body has all the signs of an antibacterial drug. In this disease he will remove the symptoms of scarlet fever, and relieving from inflammation of the throat and tonsils.

All this in the absence of Allergy to honey.

It will benefit Linden tea, juice cranberries and cranberry.

And, of course, the whole period of the disease should give your child to drink boiled warm milk.

Complications of scarlet fever

Doesn't look as optimistic statistics, showing strong figures of full recovery with prompt treatment of scarlet fever, one should not forget about possible complications.

Rheumatism

Rheumatism

It is a disease of the whole body, but most often affects the vascular system and heart. So in the process of monitoring a sick child it is important not to miss the symptoms of scarlet fever, as heart pain, palpitations, that will allow to carry out timely treatment. Otherwise, you may develop heart disease.

Joint pain warning that the articular form of rheumatism that can develop as from the beginning of the underlying disease, and after one to two weeks after suffering scarlet fever. The pain is so strong that the child is difficult to move. Initially affects large joints, then the swelling may cover the joints of hands and feet.

Nervous form first manifests itself poorly – irritability and tearfulness child mistakenly attributed to General malaise. But then can join light twitching of the face and hands. Jerking will increase, slurred speech becomes. In the future, possible paralysis.

Allergic status

To the effects of scarlet fever include changes at the genetic level that will appear after months or even years. Allergic reactions will occur inthe impact of any stimulus, from some products to flowering plants.

In addition, any disease and the response of the body can be directed not only to the pathogen (viruses, bacteria), but also in cells of their own bodies. Hence, pancreatitis, hepatitis, other chronic diseases.

Other possible complications

This group may include suppurative otitis media, inflammation of the frontal and other sinuses. Not excluded pneumonia and bronchitis. However, more often there is a purulent angina with the development of retropharyngeal abscess.

In these examples it is clear how important it is to assess when scarlet fever the child has different symptoms and carry out adequate treatment.

Prevention of scarlet fever

Prevention of scarlet fever

The disease is easier to prevent than cure is an axiom. Each disease has its own specific flow. Some have low symptoms, occur secretly. Other "show" numerous, including painful symptoms.

The emergence of infectious diseases due to weak immunity of the child, blame the adults did not pay this matter adequate attention. But a strong immune system is key in disease prevention.

Another important prevention measure must be the protection of the child from contact with the sick with scarlet fever, since the disease is easily transmitted by close contact.

Normally a patient with scarlet fever is treated at home. However, if a family has more children under ten years of age, the sick should be hospitalized, watching healthy children at least ten days. You should pay attention to everything, even minor symptoms, to periodically inspect the throat and tongue.

After placing a sick child in the hospital should be thoroughly ventilate the apartment. All things admitted wash. This is also the prevention.

Whole family to drink the drugs that increase immunity, reducing the likelihood of infection. Herbs should pay attention to Echinacea.

If an adult at work someone is ill with scarlet fever, your child should try ten days to send to close relatives, or to take sick leave.

In the case of a Declaration of quarantine for scarlet fever in preschools, child, the former with a sick person in contact, should be protected from contact with other children for a period of seven days. To monitor possible symptoms, every day to examine the throat, to pay attention to complaints.

However, the best prevention is, as always was, is and will be, is the hardening of the child from an early age, admission to physical education, various sports. In nurturing a negative attitude to bad habits.