Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus of group A; generally, it manifests itself with sore throat, fever, swelling of the glands in the neck and skin rashes with a typical scarlet color. If you suspect that you (or someone else) have it, you should see your doctor right away; timely diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are the key aspects to prevent possible long-term complications.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognize the Signs and Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of the infection
Scarlet fever is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus group A, the same bacterium that causes pharyngitis. The most common first symptoms are fever and sore throat, also accompanied by pain and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck; to these it is sometimes possible that others are associated (but not always), such as abdominal pain, vomiting and / or chills.
- In the presence of strep infection, the tonsils are often covered with whitish spots (called "exudates"), which you can see when you open your mouth wide and look at them in the mirror.
- The sore throat caused by this bacterium does not trigger a cough, thus differentiating itself from other infections.
Step 2. Pay attention to the rashes characteristic of scarlet fever
In addition to sore throat, the "hallmark" of this disease is a skin infection; dermatological rashes are usually red and rough, similar to sandpaper. These may be the symptoms that show up first, or you may notice them up to a week after the onset of other disorders.
- Usually, the rash begins to develop on the neck, armpits and groin area.
- From here it begins to spread and affect other parts of the body.
- The rashes are often accompanied by a very red tongue (typically called a "strawberry tongue"), a flushed face, and red lines in different folds of the skin, such as those around the groin, armpits, knees and elbows.
Step 3. Know which categories are at risk
Scarlet fever most often affects children and adolescents aged 5 to 15; therefore, if your child has these symptoms, you must take him to the pediatrician immediately. However, keep in mind that the infection can also develop in people of any age.
Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing Scarlet Fever
Step 1. Go to the doctor
If you have a severe sore throat without a cough and exudate on your tonsils, you should definitely make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. A sore throat with these characteristics is probably caused by the group A streptococcus bacterium; the doctor is able to perform diagnostic tests to confirm the infection and prescribe the appropriate treatments.
Step 2. Get a throat swab
If your doctor thinks that the disease is a worrying infection of this bacterium, he can perform the test directly in his office at the time of the visit; this is a procedure that takes no more than a few minutes. A sample is taken from the back of the throat and sent to an analysis laboratory to check for the presence of the "offending" bacterium. If the test is positive, you will need to undergo antibiotic therapy.
Step 3. See your doctor right away if you have developed the rashes characteristic of scarlet fever
He or she may perform a physical exam to examine the rash and any other signs of infection more thoroughly. If you have enough symptoms, he will immediately prescribe antibiotic treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Scarlet Fever
Step 1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
To manage throat pain and control fever, it is best to take paracetamol (Tachipirina), available in pharmacies without a prescription; the maximum daily dosage is typically 3000 mg in 24 hours. Respect the instructions on the leaflet and pay attention to the special dosage for children (reduced doses).
Another over-the-counter pain management drug is ibuprofen (Brufen). Also in this case, you must follow the instructions on the leaflet, the typical dose is 400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed; if you are treating a child, the dosage needs to be changed
Step 2. Suck on some balsamic candies
They are an alternative remedy for reducing sore throats and you can find them for sale in both pharmacies and supermarkets. Many balsamic candies have antimicrobial (which fights infection) and anesthetic (which relieves pain) properties; do not exceed the daily dosage recommended on the package.
Alternatively, you can gargle with a saline solution several times a day
Step 3. Drink a lot
Each time the body has to fight an infection it becomes more susceptible to dehydration; for this reason, you should drink at least 8-10 8-ounce glasses of water a day, but if you feel thirsty, increase your intake. Fever also contributes to fluid loss, so you need to make an effort to properly replenish them.
Step 4. Ask to be prescribed penicillin
It is the first choice antibiotic against streptococcal infections (the pathogen responsible for scarlet fever). If the throat swab has tested positive for this group A bacterium or you experience the rash typical of the disease, you must absolutely follow the entire course of antibiotic therapy for more valid reasons, including:
- Antibiotics eliminate symptoms more quickly and help the immune system eradicate the infection;
- Drug therapy reduces the risk of contagion;
- Fundamental aspect: by completing the entire cycle of treatment, even when you feel better, you avoid the development of bacterial strains resistant to the drug;
- The greatest risk of scarlet fever is not the infection itself, but the long-term complications.
Step 5. Understand the risk of developing complications from this disease
The most important reason why you need to undergo antibiotic therapy is not the cure of the initial infection, but the prevention of other serious diseases that can result from it. These include:
- Kidney disease;
- Severe dermatological infections;
- Pneumonia;
- Rheumatic fever (an inflammatory disease causing damage to the valves of the heart and heart failure);
- Ear infection;
- Arthritis;
- Abscess in the throat (a serious infection that is very difficult to treat).
