Scarlet fever in children is more common than is thought. We tell you what it is and what symptoms it has so you can recognize it.
Scarlet fever is a characteristic infection of childhood, so we are going to talk specifically about scarlet fever in children . It can also be called scarlet fever, and it is a disease that was believed from other times, but that still continues to affect boys and girls. Check out more interesting articles on our site.
Knowing its symptoms will help you recognize it prematurely and thus be able to go to the pediatrician as soon as possible, to confirm the diagnosis and carry out treatment to avoid possible complications.
HOW DOES SCARLET FEVER ACT IN CHILDREN?
Scarlet fever in children affects more frequently between the ages of 5 and 10 years. This disease is contagious transfer and its origin is in the infection of a bacterium called streptococcus, included in group A.
The most common places of contagion are the school and the nursery, where children are in constant contact with secretions expelled by the respiratory tract, such as coughs or sneezes, by their classmates. These are key factors in transmission, so if someone in the class suffers from scarlet fever, it is very possible that they will spread it to the rest.
For this reason, it is recommended that if any symptoms are noticed, the necessary measures are taken; including avoiding contact with other boys and girls. Once treatment has been started, it is important that the patient takes between 48 and 72 hours to return to school or nursery, since it begins to be effective after the second day of taking it. The incubation time is 4 days.
Symptoms of scarlet fever in children
The duration of scarlet fever is approximately 8 days and we can say that the symptoms appear in two phases:
- Initial phase: It begins with fever , tonsillitis, sore throat, headache and sometimes vomiting.
- Rash phase: The most characteristic of this disease is the rash, which begins on the trunk and spreads to the arms, legs and cheeks. It predominates in the areas where the joints are flexed. It does not affect the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet or the area around the mouth. The appearance of this rash is reddish, scarlet in color and with small granites very close together, with a grainy appearance.
- Glossitis may appear. That is, a white tongue that evolves into a raspberry-colored appearance, very red and with little bumps as if it were a raspberry.
Some of the complications can affect the skin, the kidney and the joints. For this reason, if new symptoms arise, it is most appropriate to request a medical consultation.
Treatment of scarlet fever in children
To treat scarlet fever in children, antibiotics are used, more specifically amoxicillin, for 6 days.
If the child has regular contact with people over 65 years of age, people who have chickenpox , people with immunosuppression or people with extensive burns, they should also take the antibiotic. Similarly, if most of the family members are infected at home, the rest must undergo preventive treatment (prophylaxis).
It is important to follow the antibiotic treatment correctly, as directed by the medical staff. That is, it should be eaten at the stipulated hours.
On the other hand, it will be positive for you to pay attention to the child’s body temperature, taking his fever from time to time to check if it decreases or increases. Rest is of great importance, so you should let your son or daughter rest for the hours he needs. Do not forget that you must also stay properly hydrated to facilitate the gradual development of the disease!
It is advisable to go to the doctor for a urine test to rule out kidney conditions after 3 weeks of illness.
