Scarlet fever is common in regions with a cold climate, the incidence increases during the autumn-winter and winter-spring periods.

This infectious process belongs to quarantine childhood diseases, it can lead to a sharp increase in cases of scarlet fever in children's groups of preschool and primary school.

Scarlet fever is caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus.

An adult or a child becomes infected through contact with a sick person, with a person who has recovered in the first days after the illness, with a carrier of streptococcal infection of other localizations.

Streptococcus is excreted from the patient's body when coughing and sneezing along with saliva into the external environment.

Infection occurs when communicating, using common objects, eating contaminated food.

Streptococcus can live on household items for a long time, but the leading route for scarlet fever is airborne.

It is also possible that hemolytic streptococcus enters through damaged areas of the skin. Then the patient develops an atypical form of scarlet fever.

The patient begins to isolate pathogenic bacteria from the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

Individuals who have had scarlet fever remain infectious for up to three weeks. The pathogenic effect of streptococci is due to the fact that it releases toxins into the human body.

The manifestation of the disease

The incubation period for this infection is up to one week, sometimes it can be reduced to a day or extended to twelve days. The disease always has an acute onset.

The first symptoms of scarlet fever are manifestations of intoxication of the body, they begin abruptly and are always pronounced.

A child, an adult has the following symptoms of intoxication:

• at the same time, persistent hyperthermia;
• lethargy;
• general weakness;
• severe pain in the body;
• severe headaches;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• pain in the abdomen;
• feeling tired.

Then, after a short period of time, with a typical course of scarlet fever, the patient develops signs of damage to the oropharynx.

In this case, you can detect signs of pharyngitis and tonsillitis in a child:

• severe sore throat, which also occurs abruptly;
• palatine tonsils increase;
• purulent raids appear on them;
• there is redness of the mucous membranes of the pharynx, palatine arches;
• dryness of the mucous membranes of the throat.

Symptoms of intoxication in patients arise because streptococcus produces exotoxin, which cause severe intoxication.

The tongue also undergoes specific changes, a white-yellow coating appears on it.

After a few days, the patient's raids completely disappear, but edematous papillae of the tongue appear on the tongue, which turn crimson.

Also, streptococcal toxin can also affect the nervous system, then patients may have signs of euphoria or, on the contrary, apathy, tachycardia develops, and the child develops tearfulness.

After about one day, the patient develops skin symptoms, sometimes skin symptoms can be detected only after a couple of days.

Skin changes occur first on the face and later they spread downward throughout the body.

In this case, skin changes are presented, which occurs on hyperemic skin.

During the period of the appearance of new skin elements (the spread of the rash), the patient retains a high body temperature and intoxication.

There are no skin changes only on the skin of the nasolabial triangle, the skin on it is pale.

In the folds of the skin, the rashes merge and look like solid rashes of a dark red hue.

By pressing on the skin rashes, they will disappear completely for a while, and then the skin changes will be restored completely.

The number of skin elements and the severity of the intoxication syndrome directly depend on the number of bacteria that have entered.

After a few days, the patient notes an improvement in the general condition, the rashes turn pale, pain in the throat decreases. Skin elements completely disappear, while no damage remains on the skin.

After about a week, the child begins finely scaly peeling of the skin, then on the palms and feet it becomes lamellar. According to these signs, the diagnosis of scarlet fever is confirmed.

Among adults, the erased form of scarlet fever is most common, in which all symptoms are minimally expressed, there is no severe intoxication and severe rashes.

The extrabuccal form of scarlet fever appears when hemolytic streptococcus enters the body through damaged skin. In this case, only a rash is present in patients, but there are no signs of a sore throat.

What should be the treatment

The treatment of scarlet fever is carried out by an infectious disease specialist, or a local pediatrician or therapist.

Patients with mild and moderate course are subject to therapy at home.

Inpatient treatment in the infectious diseases department is carried out according to strict indications:

• severe forms of scarlet fever;
• children from boarding schools;
• when it is impossible to provide patient care;
• in the presence of preschool children in the family.

Only one member of the family should take care of the sick person at home, while the sick person's belongings should be washed separately.

• compliance with bed rest for the first week of illness;
• abundant drinking regime;
• separate dishes for the sick;
• rational sparing nutrition;
• exclusion of irritating foods.

Hemolytic streptococcus, which causes scarlet fever, is a bacterial infection, as a result, patients are treated with antibiotics.

The most commonly used are the following:

• Penicillins (Amoxicillin, Ampiox, Flemoklav Solutab);
• Macrolides (Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Azithromycin);
• Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Zinnat, Pancef).

A course of antibiotics should be at least ten days, to completely destroy the pathogen and prevent the development of complications.

The mucous membranes of the oropharynx are rinsed and treated with various medicinal and folk remedies:

• Propolis;
• decoction of herbs;
• Hexoral;
• Ingalipt;
• Rotokan;
• Cameton.

To reduce the allergic effect of hemolytic streptococcus, antiallergic drugs are used:

• Suprastin;
• Zodak;
• Fenistil;
• Claritin;
• Desloratadine.

Many are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to wash yourself and wash a child with scarlet fever.

In the first seven days, you can not bathe the child, you can only wipe the skin with wet wipes if necessary.

In the acute period, bed rest must be observed, no activity, and even more so, hygiene procedures are not allowed.

When normalizing body temperature, improving well-being, removing intoxication, you can bathe children.

But at the same time, when washing children, you need to follow some rules:

• water should be warm;
• do not use washcloths and sponges;
• you can not rub the skin;
• do not wipe the skin with a towel, but only blot excess moisture from the skin.

The prognosis of scarlet fever is favorable with competent and timely treatment.

The incubation period for scarlet fever is 4-7 days, less often the incubation is extended to 12 days. Symptoms develop rapidly. Several scenarios for the development of the disease are possible.

Typical scarlet fever

Symptoms of scarlet fever in children usually have a characteristic picture:

1. Acute onset. A sharp increase in temperature to significant levels (39-40ºС).

Scarlet rash is characterized by:

The intensity of the scarlet fever rash, as well as the timing of its disappearance, are determined by the amount of endotoxin produced by streptococcus, which damages blood vessels (including in internal organs) and destroys red blood cells.

Improvement is noticeable from 3-5 days: the temperature decreases, the first signs of catarrhal inflammation in the throat gradually disappear, the rashes on the skin turn pale and disappear without traces of pigmentation. On the 7-10th day, peeling of the skin begins: finely scaly on the body and large-lamellar on the palms and feet, starting from the fingertips. Improvement in the condition is associated with the production of specific antibodies by immune cells that neutralize endotoxin.

Erased form

An erased picture of the course of scarlet fever with mild intoxication, minimal catarrhal manifestations and a meager, rapidly disappearing rash is observed mainly in adults. This nature of the course in no way reduces the risk of developing complicated conditions.

With the introduction of the pathogen through the injured / damaged skin (cuts, burns, abrasions, foci of streptoderma), there are no catarrhal manifestations in the pharynx, the submandibular lymph nodes are not enlarged.

Occurs in rare cases, mainly in adults. Against the background of the rapid development of symptoms, there are signs of vascular insufficiency (falling blood pressure, thready pulse, coldness of the extremities, muffled tones when listening to the heart) and skin hemorrhages as a result of extensive damage to the walls of small vessels. There is a high probability of rapid development of complications.

Scarlet fever is one of the forms of defeat by beta-hemolytic streptococcus. A high incidence among preschoolers classifies the disease as a childhood infection, but infection of adults is not excluded. The infection most often spreads by airborne droplets (from sneezing and coughing patients or carriers), less often streptococcus infection occurs through dishes, toys, and infected food.

The manifestations of scarlet fever are due to the introduction of an infectious agent into the mucous membrane and the production of endotoxin that destroys red blood cells, serological types A, B and C. After recovery, specific immunity is formed.

Symptoms

Scarlet fever is rare in newborns and infants. This disease is more common in children older than two years, and the peak incidence is observed between 6 and 12 years.

Scarlet fever is more common in temperate zones. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets, sneezing and coughing. Also, germs can be transmitted through contaminated objects or dirty hands. The source of scarlet fever pathogens are sick children or carriers of the infection.

Symptoms

The incubation period lasts 1-7 days. Usually the disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature, vomiting and severe sore throat (tonsillitis). Also, the child has a headache, chills and weakness. Between 12 and 24 hours after the fever rises, a characteristic bright red rash appears. Sometimes the child complains of severe abdominal pain.

Can antibiotics be dispensed with? According to statistics, in about 90% of scarlet fever in children or adults will end in a complete recovery without any treatment. It is for these reasons that many of the parents of those children who have had scarlet fever without any complications and who have not been prescribed antibiotics say that antibiotic treatment is not at all necessary and can be completely abandoned.

But this is an incorrect statement, since despite the fact that complications of scarlet fever are rare, in cases where they still manifest themselves, there may be a real threat to the life and health of the child. And since today there are no other alternatives to prevent complications from scarlet fever, doctors recommend a course of antibiotic treatment for all sick children. No one guarantees that your baby will not have complications without antibiotics.

After treatment, if you still, contrary to the opinion of the doctor, refused antibiotics, a follow-up examination is necessary. Often, the microbes that cause scarlet fever can remain inactive for a long time in the throat tissue for several weeks or months after the disease.

At the same time, the likelihood of reactivation of the infection with the formation of complications in the kidneys and heart will also remain. Therefore, all children who recover from scarlet fever, but did not undergo a course of antibiotic therapy, are shown a control swab from the throat. If there is beta-hemolytic streptococcus in the smear, a standard course of antibiotic therapy will be necessary.

When treating scarlet fever, you can bathe the child if he does not have a fever and he feels well, and you can also walk with him if he is taking antibiotics and is no longer contagious. In the presence of scarlet fever, there is no need to follow any special diet, you can give the child to everyone those dishes that he wants to eat and that he loves.

In severe cases, the symptoms of scarlet fever in children can include a very high temperature - up to 40 degrees Celsius, red bumps on the tongue, swollen lymph nodes, nausea and vomiting.

And if you have rubella, then you can’t bathe, acne will become even more. And the symptoms are similar.

We are almost 8 months old. 4 days there was a temperature of 38.5, she slept two days ago, but a rash appeared. The rash is still there. When can you bathe your baby in the bath?

you had Roseola, I didn’t bathe until the rash went away, the child will survive 1-2 extra days without bathing

Now I read about Linex and Bifiform and decided to probably continue to give Bifiform.

I didn't find anything about Zinnet.

Nenata - do an ECG, of course, for your own peace of mind. about the doctor - horror!!

I misspelled not Zinnet, but Zinnat.

The question of hospitalization of the patient is decided by the doctor. If illness

the course is not severe and good care is provided, patients can be treated at home

under the supervision of a physician.

It is also necessary to bathe a child with a fever for one more reason: during bathing, the pores of his skin are cleansed, the natural metabolism is enhanced, and toxins are more easily removed from the body.

Uh-huh, my middle school was removed from school for a week, however, it never occurred to anyone in her class to declare quarantine. And after 3 weeks, when she went to school, she brought the elder flu and she herself fell ill with a sore throat under this flu. This means that the infection in it all the same most likely sat, it simply did not manifest itself, and I don’t know if it was contagious.

Well, I had scarlet fever 2 times, at 2 and 4 years old, it was in the nursery. It was recorded on the map, and according to my mother, both times it was classic scarlet fever, and not tonsillitis. Doctors then explained that this happens, and not such a rarity.

The antibiotic prescribing regimen depends on the pathogen and on the antibiotic (from one to 14 days for banal infections and standard antibiotics). The only pathogen for which it has been proven that treatment should last exactly 10 days (when using the penicillin series) is beta-hemolytic strep. gr. A.

My daughter is allergic to penicillins. Not a drug of choice - so it's not suitable? Should it be canceled or replaced?

This is true. Although, I think the doctor said cool drink.

Beauty and health

The treatment of scarlet fever is carried out by an infectious disease specialist, or a local pediatrician or therapist.

Patients with mild and moderate course are subject to therapy at home.

Inpatient treatment in the infectious diseases department is carried out according to strict indications:

• severe forms of scarlet fever;
• children from boarding schools;
• when it is impossible to provide patient care;
• in the presence of preschool children in the family.

Only one member of the family should take care of the sick person at home, while the sick person's belongings should be washed separately.

• compliance with bed rest for the first week of illness;
• abundant drinking regime;
• separate dishes for the sick;
• rational sparing nutrition;
• exclusion of irritating foods.

Typical scarlet fever

Acute onset. A sharp increase in temperature to significant levels (39-40? C).

Inflammation of the throat. Bright hyperemia (redness), spreading to the tonsils, arches, tongue and soft palate, sharply limited along the line of transition to the hard palate ("flaming" pharynx). Formation of follicular / lacunar tonsillitis is possible: mucous or purulent, less often fibrinous or necrotic plaque appears on the tonsils. An inflammatory reaction in the pharynx provokes an increase in the anterior cervical lymph nodes. The tongue in the first days of the disease is covered with a brownish coating, but by the 3rd-5th day it becomes scarlet (bright red), the papillae of the tongue are hypertrophied (crimson tongue). Often, the lips acquire a "raspberry" color.

Intoxication. The body reacts to the production of endotoxin: excitation, euphoria (less often lethargy and drowsiness), vomiting, causeless abdominal pain, convulsions against the background of hyperthermia (especially in babies), headache, tachycardia, general malaise, joint and muscle pain.

Rash. Literally on the first or second day, a characteristic scarlatinal rash (exanthema) appears. Against the background of hyperemic dry skin, small-dotted elements are formed, merging in places. Exanthema captures the face, neck, lateral surfaces of the trunk and inner thighs, then spreading throughout the body.

Filatov's symptom - the prevalence of rash elements on the cheeks, less on the forehead, and a pale, nasolabial triangle free from rashes;

Pastia's symptom - dark red stripes (thickening of rashes) in natural skin folds (elbow, inguinal, axillary cavities, etc.);

“symptom of the palm” - when pressing on the site of the rash with the palm of the hand, the exanthema briefly disappears.

Erased form

Scarlet fever always begins acutely:

• body temperature rises sharply;
• there are severe pain in the throat;
• tonsils, larynx and tongue at the same time have a scarlet, very bright color. Fragments of purulent plaque may be observed on the tonsils. On the tongue, granular formations become noticeable on the 3-4th day;
• the body reacts to the strong toxin produced by Streptococcus A with a rash. It appears almost immediately after the onset of the disease.

This last feature is considered the most characteristic. You should learn more about it. Small red dots appear on the already reddened skin, which are brighter in terms of the degree of color expression, they are not difficult to see in all details. The rash spreads quickly until it covers the entire body of the child. Most of all red specks are on the sides, on the folds of the arms and legs. The skin becomes dry and rough to the touch, like textured cardboard.

Despite the fact that scarlet fever has been known to doctors for a very long time, in ancient times doctors often confused it with measles and rubella. But if viral rubella and measles do not need any specific drug treatment, then antibiotics are indicated for scarlet fever. Therefore, before the advent of antibacterial agents, scarlet fever often led to death.

Today, doctors are divided into two “camps”: some believe that successful predictions in the treatment of scarlet fever became possible thanks to the invention of antibiotics, others claim that a general improvement in the quality of life and nutrition of children played a role. Yevgeny Komarovsky is sure that deaths from scarlet fever have decreased due to both causes.

The general rules of treatment look like this:

• bed rest until the temperature drops and signs of intoxication disappear;
• plentiful warm drink (juices, tea, fruit drinks, compotes). Milk is not recommended;
• diet (according to the Pevzner method, the so-called table number 2). Food should be given in a mashed, mushy state, soups, semi-liquid mashed potatoes are welcome;
• antibiotic therapy.

Erased form

Complications of scarlet fever

In the absence of adequate therapy, primarily antibiotic treatment, it is possible to develop:

• necrotic angina;
• sinusitis, otitis;
• purulent lymphadenitis;
• pneumonia;

The consequences of scarlet fever usually occur in severe, erased and septic form of the manifestation of the disease, without taking antibacterial drugs.

necrotic angina;

sinusitis, otitis;

purulent lymphadenitis;

pneumonia;

diffuse glomerulonephritis, arthritis and myocarditis (sensitization - allergic mood - of the body to endotoxins plays an important role in their development).

Early complications usually occur in the first week of illness. The infection can spread from the tonsils, causing inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media), inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), or lymph nodes in the neck (lymphadenitis). A rare complication is bronchopneumonia. Even less common are osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone), mastoiditis (inflammation of the bony area behind the ear), and sepsis (blood poisoning). With timely, proper treatment, these complications are extremely rare.

The most dangerous late complications: rheumatism. glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the urinary tissues of the kidneys), chorea.

Diagnostics

To differentiate scarlet fever from rubella, diphtheria, measles, pseudotuberculosis, dermatitis, a parental survey, patient complaints and clinical manifestations are usually sufficient. To do this, a doctor suspecting scarlet fever should know how it manifests itself, the symptoms characteristic of this particular disease. So, with scarlet fever, the pharynx is brighter than with ordinary angina, and with rubella, the posterior cervical lymph nodes also increase.

In a clinical blood test, the disease is manifested by leukocytosis, elevated ESR, a study of the leukocyte formula reveals neutrophilia with a shift to the left. Eosinophils appear in the blood, which indicates the influence of the allergic component of the infection.

With scarlet fever, you should pay attention to urine. The color of "meat slops" indicates the appearance of red blood cells in the urine and the development of complications from the kidneys. ECG (according to indications), blood and urine tests are repeated a week after recovery.

Most often, scarlet fever affects children of preschool and primary school age. Babies under one year old almost never get sick, because being breastfed, they receive immune bodies against streptococcal infection from their mother.

In ancient times, doctors could not yet know the nature of the onset of the disease, but a bright specific picture allowed them to make an unmistakable diagnosis. At the end of the 16th century, a series of terrible epidemics swept across Europe, the disease was very difficult with a lot of complications and deaths. During the epidemic in Spain, the disease proceeded with a particularly strong increase in the cervical lymph nodes, which is why the disease was called garotillo, which means "iron collar".

For the first time, scarlet fever as an independent disease was described in 1554, and it received its name in 1675 from the word scarletto - purple.

Scarlet fever is transmitted by airborne droplets, less often by household contact, carriers are those who suffer from tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and simply carriers of streptococcus. The rarest way of infection is through skin lesions during wounds or operations.

Scarlet fever symptoms

The symptomatology of the disease is very specific and allows you to almost always establish an unmistakable diagnosis. Main symptoms:

• intoxication - fever above 39, vomiting, general weakness and malaise, severe headache;
• sore throat - bright red, swollen, inflamed arches and tonsils;
• rash - a finely spotted rash against the background of reddened skin, spreads throughout the body from the head and down, with the greatest localization in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bnatural folds (axillary, elbow, knee) and on the sides, only the nasolabial triangle remains intact, with pressure in the rash area short-term blanching is noted;
• peeling of the feet and hands 3-7 days after the onset of the disease (the rash disappears by this time);
• "raspberry tongue" - hyperemic, swollen papillae resembling raspberries;
• enlarged lymph nodes - submandibular and cervical.

Therapeutic measures

How to treat scarlet fever and the issue of inpatient treatment is the prerogative of the attending physician. Usually scarlet fever is treated at home (with the exception of a severe or complicated course) with strict adherence to medical recommendations. Scarlet fever treatment:

• plentiful drink;

7-day bed rest for the period of hyperthermia;

10-day treatment with antibiotics of the penicillin series (ingestion for mild form and injections for severe course and hospital treatment), with allergies, penicillins are replaced by macrolides (Erythromycin) and cephalosporins (Cefazolin);

taking probiotics (Acipol, Hilak forte, etc.) to prevent the development of dysbacteriosis from taking antibiotics;

antihistamine therapy (Zyrtec and others);

gargling with furatsilin, decoction of calendula, eucalyptus, chamomile (effectively eliminates sore throat);

plentiful drink;

vitamins as a general tonic.

Is it possible to bathe and wash with scarlet fever?

Is it possible to bathe a child with scarlet fever?

Yes, a child with scarlet fever can be bathed, but certain rules must be observed. When bathing a baby, it is recommended to make the water warm, not hot, so that it does not burn or injure tense, dry and red skin. You should wash your baby very carefully, just gently lathering his skin with your palms.

In no case should you rub his skin with any washcloths, brushes, sponges or other devices. After lathering, you just need to wash off the foam with water, carefully scooping it up and pouring a handful on the baby's skin. It is not recommended to wash off the foam from the child's skin with a stream of water from the shower, as this can injure it, as a result of which, after the rash has disappeared, pigmentation will remain for a while.

The answer to the question of whether it is possible to swim with scarlet fever excites all parents who are faced with this disease. Most people consider scarlet fever a very dangerous disease. They fear because of severe complications on the internal organs or joints.

Medical research, which was carried out on the basis of the results of observation of patients, confirmed these fears. Scarlet fever really provokes complications, but, as the study showed, they happen in isolated cases.

Is it necessary to take antibiotics?

Antibiotics are an integral and fundamental part in the treatment of scarlet fever, taking them eliminates the infection and prevents complications.

Is it possible to get sick with scarlet fever again?

It is believed that after scarlet fever, specific immunity is formed. However, against the background of weakened general immunity, with insufficient or massive intake of antibiotics, infection with another serotype of the pathogen, a recurrence of scarlet fever is possible.

How many times do you get scarlet fever?

Most people get scarlet fever only once in childhood. However, not everyone who has had this infection develops strong immunity. Some people get scarlet fever two or three times in their lives.

Can adults get infected from a child?

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious disease. In close contact with the patient, infection of parents occurs with a high probability, provided that adults did not tolerate the infection in childhood or their immunity is significantly weakened.

Is it possible to wash with scarlet fever?

You can wash with scarlet fever, baths will reduce itching and prevent scratching. Bath rules:

lack of high temperature (in case of hyperthermia, it is advisable to replace baths with rubdowns);

warm water (not cold and not hot!);

do not use sponges and washcloths to further injure the skin;

it is not recommended to wash off the soap foam with a shower, it is better to carefully water the baby from the ladle;

do not wipe the child with a towel after bathing, wrapping in a soft diaper or sheet is enough.

The literal translation from Latin is “scarlet color”. This disease has been around for centuries. It is characterized by red rashes on the mucous membranes and body.

Streptococcus microorganism is the main culprit and causative agent of the disease. There are many varieties of this type of infection, most of which are unable to harm the body. The exception is those cases when the immune system is extremely depleted. With reduced immunity, a person is affected by diseases.

The disease is contagious. Easily passes from one carrier of the disease to another. Preschool children are most at risk. Almost all newborn children are protected from scarlet fever by mother's breast milk, which gives babies immunity. Kindergartens are the main place of spread of the disease.

The infection gets to the child as follows:

• through toys that become a carrier of the disease;
• by airborne droplets;
• through food that is at a very close distance from the carrier of the infection;
• sometimes through fresh wounds or scratches.

With scarlet fever, the period of manifestation of the first symptoms can range from a week to 10 days. In some cases, the child is contagious to others long after recovery.

Nearly half of preschoolers can theoretically contract the disease. Weakened children with reduced immunity are most susceptible to this pathology. In order for scarlet fever not to pass to your child, it is necessary to observe elementary hygiene standards, provide the child with proper and timely nutrition, and rest.

The first signs of scarlet fever may appear a week or a few hours after the infection enters the baby's body. They are similar to the symptoms of so many viral diseases:

• capriciousness and lethargy;
• joint and muscle pain;
• redness of the mucous membrane of the throat.

Sometimes a small child may experience vomiting and diarrhea.

A characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a rash. It appears first on the neck and chest. Then it spreads throughout the body. Its main accumulations can be observed in more sensitive areas: in the groin, on the sides of the body, in the inner folds of the elbow and knee folds. Itchy rashes cause inconvenience and discomfort. After a week, the rash dries up and disappears completely, leaving no traces behind.

One of the characteristic signs is a change in the color of the tongue. First, a whitish coating appears on it, then it disappears, starting from the edges. When there is nothing left of the plaque, the tongue will acquire a bright crimson color. This is indicative of scarlet fever.

Prevention of scarlet fever

There is currently no specific prevention of streptococcal infectious diseases.

In preschool groups, quarantine measures are mandatory:

• isolation of the patient for 12 days after recovery;
• imposition of quarantine in the children's team for one week;
• children who have been in contact with the sick person for a long time are not allowed in the team for 17 days from the moment of contact.

Only a specialist can determine the exact nature of the disease and prescribe the right treatment.

Scarlet fever normally can not get sick two or three times in a lifetime. After an infection, the body develops lifelong immunity to a specific type of streptococcus. But this does not mean that the child cannot then get sick of any other streptococcal infection.

Recurrent scarlet fever is rare. Usually this becomes possible if the antibiotics in the treatment of the first ailment acted too quickly, the microbe was destroyed before the immune system formed specific antibodies to it. Also, the recurrence of the disease can occur in children with severely weakened immunity. A secondary infection should be treated in the same way as the primary one, although the doctor will have to choose a different antibiotic for this.

There is no vaccine for scarlet fever. After a sick child is identified, the children's team is quarantined for 7 days.

Prevention consists in the timely identification and isolation of children with scarlet fever (especially from other children). Persons in contact with the patient are advised to wear sterile gauze masks and strictly observe personal hygiene.

The patient is sent for home treatment or, if necessary, hospitalized. If the child has no complications, he is discharged on the 10th day after the onset of the disease. When treating a home, it is necessary to regularly clean and disinfect the premises. It is necessary to isolate healthy children from the source of infection in time and take preventive measures.

So, we figured out what scarlet fever is, and what are its features. In fact, this disease is not so terrible if you consult a doctor in time, keep bed rest, take medicines and be attentive to the health of your child.

The most important thing is to create such conditions for the life of the baby so that the risk of disease is minimal. Good quality food, personal hygiene, outdoor activities - all this will help to avoid illness. Take care of your children!

1. Children who had previously suffered from scarlet fever and recovered children after 12 days after the elimination of clinical manifestations are allowed to visit.
2. Children who have not been ill with scarlet fever and who have been in contact with the patient are isolated for 7 days (this rule applies to preschool institutions and grades 1-2 of the school).
3. Recorded within 7 days after the last registration of scarlet fever, children with tonsillitis are also isolated for 22 days from the appearance of the first signs.
4. Admission to a children's institution who have had acute respiratory infections, tonsillitis and other respiratory infections is allowed if there is a certificate confirming antibacterial treatment.
5. Current disinfection is carried out with 0.5% chloramine, dishes and linen are boiled. Final disinfection is not advisable.
6. Employees (declared group) who have not previously been ill and have been in contact with the patient are allowed to work, they are placed under 7-day medical supervision.
7. Employees of children's institutions after illness for 12 days are transferred to work, where they will be epidemiologically safe.
8. Each time after the fixation of scarlet fever, quarantine is extended for another 7 days.

Is it possible to wash with scarlet fever

This article will tell you what scarlet fever is, what are its symptoms, and how the disease progresses in a child. You will learn whether children can swim with scarlet fever, and how to make sure that the treatment of the baby is successful.

Scarlet fever is called an infectious disease, which is characterized by a rash, allergic complications; it is also a disease of the larynx, the causative agent of which is streptococcus. As with chickenpox, a person who has had scarlet fever has a strong immunity to this disease.

Scarlet fever is easy to mistake for another disease, such as a sore throat: the symptoms are very similar. Most often, children aged 1-9 years old are exposed to the disease, especially in autumn and winter. With this disease you need to be very careful. If you do not turn to the doctor in time, there may be a fatal outcome.

The disease is characterized by high fever, skin rashes, redness of the palatine tonsils. Scarlet fever is Latin for "bright red". She was probably so named because of the rashes that have the same color.

The causative agent is streptococcus bacteria, which affects the nasopharynx, sometimes the skin, causing inflammation. As a result, angina develops, lymph nodes increase.

Often the main sources of the spread of the disease are kindergartens and schools.

The disease rarely affects newborn babies, as they are protected by the mother's immunity. The disease affects children aged 2-7 years, and they are much more difficult to tolerate the disease, unlike adults.

Scarlet fever can be contracted in three ways:

• airborne;
• contact with toys and things susceptible to infection;
• food.

A very rare occurrence when the pathogen settles on open wounds with the subsequent development of infection. The first two routes of infection are the most common.

The period from the moment of infection to the onset of the first symptoms lasts up to 1 week. The latent period can last from 3 to 7 days. There is a deterioration in the state of health: lethargy, drowsiness, headache, chills. The temperature rises strongly, the child may be tormented by nausea or even vomiting. A rash appears quite quickly (in the form of pinkish dots) on the lateral parts of the body, as well as in the groin, buttocks, and armpits.

The characteristic symptoms of scarlet fever are very similar to those of a sore throat, in which the soft palate turns red, the tonsils enlarge and become covered with plaque, and the lymph nodes also change in size and become painful. After 7 days of illness, the rash disappears completely, leaving no trace. After 1-2 weeks, peeling of the skin occurs, gradually developing over all surfaces of the body. The tongue becomes bright red. The central nervous system is also affected (first sympathetic, then parasympathetic).

A child can tolerate the disease relatively easily, moderately and severely. The recovery time depends on this (may vary up to 3 weeks). If you use antibiotics, then recovery will come faster. But, unfortunately, cases of complications after scarlet fever are not uncommon. Usually the kidneys and heart are affected, which is typical for older children.

Fortunately, today, in general, all children endure the disease quite easily. At the same time, a weak severity of intoxication is observed, and other symptoms disappear after 4 days. The moderate form is characterized by a stronger explicitness of all symptoms, fever lasts for a week. The severe form is rare. There are two ways to display it:

Causes of the disease

Scarlet fever is caused by streptococcus, which is characterized by the production of erythrogenic toxin. You can become infected through contact with saliva during a conversation, through sneezing and coughing. The disease can be transmitted through a person who has had contact with a carrier of the disease, as well as with the help of objects, toys, things, utensils.

After the child is ill, he becomes contagious, and even a month after recovery, if he had inflammation of the nasopharynx, or if the child suffers from complications after the illness.

If the baby has never had scarlet fever and has not been in contact with the sick, you must refrain from going to kindergarten and school for a week after a sick child was identified in your institution.

The development of symptoms can be both from a carrier of scarlet fever, and from a sick sore throat.

Often patients are treated at home. Children who have a moderate or severe form of the disease are sent for inpatient treatment. Patients where there are infants and children under 7 years of age in the family can also stay there.

If your child is being treated at home, take care of providing him with a personal room, prepare dishes, towels, bed linen, and personal hygiene items. It is allowed to stop isolation only after full recovery.

Children who have had scarlet fever can attend kindergarten and school only after a two-week home quarantine, when they are completely rid of it.

If a child (who attends a kindergarten or grades 1-2 of a school) has had contact with a sick person, he should not visit public places for a week from the moment the sick person is discovered. If the baby has been in contact with the patient throughout the illness, home isolation should last 17 days from the start of contact.

In the Children's Health section, to the question Is it possible to wash a child with scarlet fever? set by the author User deleted the best answer is No sick mammal climbs into the water to swim. The fact is that the concept of illness is considered by loving relatives very widely. The well-being of the child is much more important.

If bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media, whatever, and the child feels ill at the same time - lethargic, capricious, has a fever, no appetite - there is nothing to fool yourself with bathing and experimenting. But if it started to get better, the child cheered up, the temperature returned to normal, an appetite appeared - well, swim to your health.

No one has died from dirt yet! Isabella of Spain did not wash for 11 years and nothing! But it won’t take long to die from complications after scarlet fever! Yes, and the recurrence of the disease is not the most pleasant thing!

In the acute period, when the child has a high temperature, sore throat, you can refrain from bathing (3-5 days). And then the hygiene regime should be normal.

Wait another day for the temperature to subside and wash to your health, otherwise rinse the child a little, but do not wet your head, no matter how complications arise.

The rash spreads gradually from the top of the face down the torso, arms, legs for 3-4 days with an increase in fever. Although with a drop in temperature a state of comparative well-being sets in, the patient calms down, begins to sleep well, asks for food, and all phenomena subside. nevertheless, the defeat of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract of the bronchi lasts for quite a long time, the patient coughs painfully;

cough mostly dry. With scarlet fever, the rash is quite diverse. And the moment came when I was charged with a very large amount of work. The duration of the incubation period also does not change. It also lends itself to processing by various means provided for disinfection. And the second time was classic with a rash and did not hurt for a long time.

A skin rash indicates the presence of a disease. The causative agent of this phenomenon is considered to be staphylococcus aureus, and it just won’t leave the child’s skin alone. A small rash on the body may appear due to allergies to food, medicine, and so on. Euphrasia eliminates redness of the eyes, photophobia and lacrimation;

it is a strong drying agent, therefore it acts favorably on other catarrhal phenomena, reducing mucus flow; so, under its influence, a runny nose quickly passes. Eczema, dermatitis, and hives are often accompanied by sneezing, runny nose, or inflammation of the mucous membranes. In order not to get serious complications, it is not necessary to treat rashes on your own.

You can use other means - fucorcin, methylene blue. Catarrhal manifestations of a rush of blood, redness, loosening and increased secretion of fluid of the mucous membranes are eliminated by using the 3rd division. If there is a severe measles epidemic, it is best, if possible, to send weak children in advance to somewhere where there is no measles.

So observance of the rules of personal hygiene is the main protection against the disease of children with scarlet fever. In this case, the following rules must be observed: the child must not be rubbed with a washcloth, and after bathing, the skin must be gently blotted with a towel. However, it must be borne in mind that with rubella, severe complications, such as encephalitis, can also develop. Vesicular or vesicular measles.

What indicates a complication? You can also protect yourself from chickenpox by getting vaccinated. Rashes are often caused by allergies. When the rubella virus begins to disappear, and this will be seen from the symptoms, the cream must be applied to areas of the skin in which peeling is observed until the patient has completely recovered.

But if the rash was and suddenly disappeared, the patient became especially ill - chills, loss of strength - then with such an unfavorable turn of the disease, one should resort to camphor 6. Rash on the body itches Each disease leaves an imprint on the skin. But I remember for sure that it’s a very long time - 3 weeks it’s just supposed to be, and then how smears from the throat will show.

Signs and dynamics of the disease

a sharp rise in body temperature, sometimes up to 40 ° C;

capriciousness and lethargy;

refusal to eat, complete lack of appetite;

joint and muscle pain;

the constant presence of the baby in a state of sleep;

redness of the mucous membrane of the throat.

Scarlet fever is a disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Here is the definition of the disease given by a pediatrician of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences E. O. Komarovsky.

Scarlet fever is a special variant of streptococcal infection with a pronounced reaction of the body to the action of erythrotoxin.

Neutralize the toxin is possible only with the help of disinfectants. Most often, children in kindergarten, schoolchildren under the age of nine are exposed to the disease. This happens due to the increased incidence of tonsillitis and SARS, preceding the appearance of scarlet fever.

The defeat of the body occurs mainly due to weak immunity to toxins and microbes. People get sick with scarlet fever once in a lifetime, because after the disease, each person develops immunity, which has sufficient resistance to the toxin throughout life. But, alas, this immunity is unstable, in relation, for example, to diseases such as tonsillitis.

Scarlet fever is caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus.

An adult or a child becomes infected through contact with a sick person, with a person who has recovered in the first days after the illness, with a carrier of streptococcal infection of other localizations.

Streptococcus is excreted from the patient's body when coughing and sneezing along with saliva into the external environment.

Infection occurs when communicating, using common objects, eating contaminated food.

Streptococcus can live on household items for a long time, but the leading route for scarlet fever is airborne.

It is also possible that hemolytic streptococcus enters through damaged areas of the skin. Then the patient develops an atypical form of scarlet fever.

The patient begins to isolate pathogenic bacteria from the appearance of the first signs of the disease.

Individuals who have had scarlet fever remain infectious for up to three weeks. The pathogenic effect of streptococci is due to the fact that it releases toxins into the human body.

The period from the moment of infection to the onset of the first symptoms lasts up to 1 week. The latent period can last from 3 to 7 days. There is a deterioration in the state of health: lethargy, drowsiness, headache, chills. The temperature rises strongly, the child may be tormented by nausea or even vomiting.

A rash appears quite quickly (in the form of pinkish dots) on the lateral parts of the body, as well as in the groin, buttocks, and armpits. In an infected person, you can notice a bright transition from red cheeks to a light nasolabial triangle, where there is no rash. The face swells up, the eyes acquire a feverish luster.

The characteristic symptoms of scarlet fever are very similar to those of a sore throat, in which the soft palate turns red, the tonsils enlarge and become covered with plaque, and the lymph nodes also change in size and become painful. After 7 days of illness, the rash disappears completely, leaving no trace.

After 1-2 weeks, peeling of the skin occurs, gradually developing over all surfaces of the body. The tongue becomes bright red. The central nervous system is also affected (first sympathetic, then parasympathetic).

A child can tolerate the disease relatively easily, moderately and severely. The recovery time depends on this (may vary up to 3 weeks). If you use antibiotics, then recovery will come faster.

But, unfortunately, cases of complications after scarlet fever are not uncommon. Usually the kidneys and heart are affected, which is typical for older children.

Fortunately, today, in general, all children endure the disease quite easily. At the same time, a weak severity of intoxication is observed, and other symptoms disappear after 4 days. The moderate form is characterized by a stronger explicitness of all symptoms, fever lasts for a week. The severe form is rare.

There are two ways to display it:

• toxic scarlet fever (clouding of consciousness occurs, the child is delirious, convulsions, meningeal signs occur);
• septic scarlet fever with necrotic angina (lymph nodes are affected, complications of a septic order occur, necrosis on the tonsils, soft palate, pharynx).

Scarlet fever is caused by streptococcus, which is characterized by the production of erythrogenic toxin. You can become infected through contact with saliva during a conversation, through sneezing and coughing. The disease can be transmitted through a person who has had contact with a carrier of the disease, as well as with the help of objects, toys, things, utensils.

Often scarlet fever develops on the tonsils. The toxin that is released by the pathogen affects the surface of the skin and contributes to the appearance of inflammatory processes. If you do not go to the doctor in time or are inattentive to treatment, you can get a complication (rheumatism, myocarditis, glomerulonephritis).

Scarlet fever symptoms

The causative factor in the development of scarlet fever in a child is group A hemolytic streptococcus.

You can get infected from a patient or from carriers of pathogenic streptococcus. The pathogen enters the child's body by airborne droplets, and it is also often among children that the contact route of infection spreads.

Much less often, infection occurs through the alimentary route through contaminated food.

The contact route is common because children become infected through contaminated toys, shared utensils, towels. Streptococci remain viable in the external environment for a long time.

Infection of a child of the first year can be from a mother with a streptococcal infection during feeding, or transplacental. A preschool child has a very high susceptibility to streptococcal infections.

[Development of scarlet fever in infants] occurs rarely if he is breastfed. When breastfeeding, the mother transmits the antibodies of streptococcal infection to the child.

The patient is contagious immediately after he has the first signs of the disease. The spread of the pathogenic bacterium is facilitated by the fact that many negligent adults do not leave sick children at home at first when they get sick.

One contact with a sick child is enough for infection. The child remains contagious during the entire period of illness and in the early period after recovery. After clinical recovery, contagiousness may persist for up to one month.

Children with the following conditions are at increased risk of contracting scarlet fever:

• lowering the body's defenses;
• reduced content of vitamins;
• increased emotional and physical stress.

[A person, even an adult, can be re-infected].

This is due to the fact that immunity to a certain type of hemolytic streptococcus is formed after the disease.

Bathing a child with scarlet fever

Compliance with hygiene requires daily bathing, especially if the baby has recently been born. But is it possible to wash with scarlet fever? The answer to this question is positive. There is a warning: bathing a child must be very careful.

Bathing water should be warm, the temperature does not exceed 38 ° C. In no case should the water be hot, otherwise the child will be burned. The body and cheeks can be lathered with baby soap. Soap should be extremely careful so as not to damage the delicate skin of the baby. It is strictly forbidden to use washcloths and other items.

Rinse off the soap must also be extremely careful. You can't use the shower. It is necessary to collect water in the palm of your hand and just rinse the body. Drying the baby after bathing is also not recommended. You can wrap it in a soft cotton towel and let the body dry, then change into casual clothes made from natural fibers.

From the first days of illness, in no case should one limit the hygienic care of a child to washing hands before eating. It is worth washing it daily. The shower can be allowed during the period when the dried crusts begin to peel off. Taking a shower during this period is allowed once every two days.

In addition to the shower, during the exfoliation period, it is recommended to take hot soapy baths with water at a temperature of 35-36 ° C. Soap speeds up the exfoliation process. For better elimination of epidermoid scales, a decoction of bran is added to the bath. Keeping a child in a hot bath is not worth it for a long time.

If the rash with scarlet fever begins to appear very slowly, then this is dangerous. Bathing also speeds up the process of rashes. In addition to baths, you can do wet wrapping sheets. To do this, moisten the sheet with water, to which salt and vinegar are added. Wring out the sheet, wrap the child in it, put to bed and cover with a warm woolen or wadded blanket. After an hour and a half, wipe the baby dry very carefully and change into dry, clean, soft linen.

In no case should hypothermia be allowed during the procedures and throughout the illness.

Adults rarely get sick with scarlet fever. They endure the disease much easier than children. But the observance of precautionary measures, hygiene during illness, timely and thorough treatment are a prerequisite for obtaining positive results. At very high temperatures, you should not wash or take baths.

Is it possible to swim with scarlet fever in a river, lake, sea? Absolutely not at high temperatures. When the temperature normalizes, you can, observing the precautionary measures. This is a small interval of time. Hypothermia is not allowed. The water should be sufficiently warmed by the sun. If the water is very cold, dirty, then you should not risk your health.

Caring for a sick baby

Scarlet fever "does not like" cleanliness, fresh air. When caring for a sick person, it is necessary to ventilate the room as often as possible, while avoiding hypothermia of the baby. Wet cleaning is carried out several times a day. The patient should be cared for by one person in order to limit the spread of the disease. During an illness, a child should use separate dishes and cutlery, which are disinfected when washed.

Water procedures are necessary for the throat, tongue, and the entire oral mucosa. It is very useful to gargle with infusion of sage or valerian rhizomes. They have a calming effect, relieve itching.

In most cases, the patient is treated at home. Treatment must be treated responsibly. Many parents stop giving antibiotics when symptoms disappear. This is a terrible mistake. If the doctor recommended the use of an antibiotic for 7 days, then exactly 7 days are needed to completely destroy the infectious virus.

The consequences are very terrible if the disease is not cured. When the symptoms are eliminated, the pathological disease does not go away, but begins to affect some internal organs. The consequences and complications of incompletely cured scarlet fever are very terrible. In the last century, this disease has claimed many human lives.

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Hygiene procedures, even in the first days of illness, should not be limited to washing and washing hands, the child needs to be washed away, and after the temperature stabilizes at a normal level, with the permission of the doctor, the patient can take a hygienic shower or bath. During the period of skin peeling, the impact of washcloths or sponges on the skin is unacceptable. The child should be in a state of rest and silence.

Duration of quarantine for scarlet fever

Quarantine of scarlet fever means mandatory and without delay, since the disease is a contagious disease and often affects children, it spreads quickly, especially in places where they are together, such as kindergartens and schools. In 2012, WHO named this infection one of the most common on the planet among children.

First of all, it is necessary to understand that quarantine is probably the most important condition for the effective treatment of the disease, because since infection with this disease occurs mainly by airborne droplets, complete isolation of the patient is necessary. Patients are especially dangerous as sources of infection in the first three days of illness.

Due to the fact that this disease is an infection, outbreaks of the disease can often be observed during periods of vitamin starvation, when the body is most weakened. Significantly worsen the prognosis and course of the disease are complications that manifest themselves in diseases of the middle ear, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and disorders of the lymphatic system of the body.

A child whose disease is acute, with complications or an atypical form, must be placed in the infectious disease department of a hospital, where he will be in a separate box under the constant supervision of doctors. Without taking into account complications, the quarantine period for scarlet fever lasts, as a rule, 21 days. If there are no special complications with scarlet fever, the child can be treated at home.

During the first week, a small patient must strictly adhere to bed rest, in the second week, parents should focus on the condition of the child: if there are no complications and he feels well, you can be allowed to get out of bed and play in the room. Often parents force a patient with scarlet fever to eat, even if he has no appetite.

In children with weakened immunity, when in contact with a patient, relapses can occur, therefore, communication with a patient with scarlet fever is strictly prohibited for such categories of children. Today, there are many means of communication: telephone, Skype, various social groups, so sometimes children do not even feel separation from friends who are sick.

The incubation period for scarlet fever lasts 2-7 days. Therefore, in accordance with SP 3.1.2.1203-03 in the kindergarten, the group is quarantined for 7 days from the last day of the visit to the team by the last child with scarlet fever. During this time, children who have not been in contact with sick people are not accepted into the group.

The likelihood of contracting scarlet fever through contact with the patient is much less than, for example, the likelihood of getting chickenpox. In a sufficiently large number of people, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus lives in the body (including on the tonsils) without causing disease (among adults, there are 10-50% of such people, even more among children).

A patient with scarlet fever is contagious in the first 5-7 days of the illness, especially in the first days (before starting antibiotics and the first 2-3 days from the start of taking them). After a course of antibiotics (7-10 days), a patient with scarlet fever is not contagious and does not pose a danger to others.

You can get infected not only from a patient with scarlet fever. You can get sick with scarlet fever after contact with a sick sore throat, pharyngitis, otitis media, pneumonia, streptoderma, erysipelas. These diseases are caused by the same pathogen as scarlet fever.

Clinical manifestations depend on many factors, a child gets sick with scarlet fever if this type of streptococcus produces erythrotoxin, and the child does not have immunity to this toxin. If there is antitoxic immunity, a person, upon contact even with a patient with scarlet fever, may get a sore throat or pharyngitis or not get sick at all.

You can also get infected from patients with mild and asymptomatic forms of scarlet fever, from patients with chronic tonsillitis or from bacteria carriers, but the likelihood of such infection is much less.

Most often, scarlet fever affects children from two to seven years old, up to 1 year the child retains antibodies obtained from the mother, including with breast milk. Before the age of 2, children have less contact with other children and adults. Children over 10 years of age are less likely to get scarlet fever. Adult young people under 30 get sick very rarely, but such cases do occur, scarlet fever practically does not occur in people over 30 years old.

Typically, the temperature is high before antibiotics are started, but in mild cases, the temperature may be low or not at all.

Severe pain in the throat is usually noted. In addition, you can see a strong reddening of the throat (flaming throat). As a rule, there are purulent plaques on the tonsils. (With a mild form - the usual reddening of the neck).

A rash is one of the main symptoms, on the basis of which a preliminary diagnosis of scarlet fever is made. It appears already on the first - second day of illness, first on the face, then on the body. Spotted rash on a hyperemic (red) background. The face looks especially characteristic: red cheeks and forehead and a pale nasolabial triangle.

In the first days of the disease, the tongue is coated with a white coating, then it is cleared along the edges, papillae on the tongue become visible. The tongue in scarlet fever is called "crimson." "Raspberry" tongue can also be seen with a mild form of the disease.

Peeling of the skin is the main symptom of scarlet fever. It is when peeling of the skin appears (in the presence of other symptoms0) that the final diagnosis is made. Peeling begins on the seventh to tenth day of illness. On the body, peeling is small (pityriasis-like), on the fingertips and palms - lamellar, clearly visible.

Many parents would like to have their child vaccinated against scarlet fever. so as not to worry that the child will get sick. But, unfortunately, such a vaccine does not yet exist. Measures for the prevention of scarlet fever are reduced to the exclusion of contact with patients, sanitation of foci of infection, ventilation, frequent wet cleaning and quartzization of premises, hardening and increasing the overall immunity of the body.

The causative agent of scarlet fever, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, has a lot of variants that differ from each other, antimicrobial immunity is produced only to one specific variant of streptococcus, so a person can get sick many times with tonsillitis, pharyngitis or otitis media, which cause different variants of the microbe.

But erythrotoxins (toxins that cause a rash in scarlet fever) are similar in different types of streptococci, so antitoxic immunity is universal - for all variants of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Based on this, a person can get scarlet fever only once in a lifetime. This was the case before the invention of antibiotics.

But now there are more and more cases of recurrence of scarlet fever. Official sources indicate a frequency of 2-4% of cases (as much as repeated scarlet fever of the total number of patients with this disease), in fact, more often. What is the reason?

The reason is that antibiotics prescribed from the first day of illness kill microbes very quickly and immunity to them and their toxins does not have time to develop. Therefore, repeated scarlet fever occurs in children, but it usually proceeds easily.

Fortunately, today, scarlet fever is not the worst disease. With the right approach, it responds very well to treatment. SanPin for scarlet fever can be viewed here

I wish you all good health! It's all about Scarlet fever Quarantine

In one child, the disease is characterized by severe intoxication of the body and severe clinical manifestations in the form of a red throat and a widespread rash throughout the body.

In another, it passes without temperature and characteristic small-dotted elements on the skin. The diagnosis is established only by residual signs in the form of peeling of the palms.

How is the infection transmitted?

What is scarlet fever? The disease belongs to children's diseases, since it is most often recorded at younger preschool and school age.

How is scarlet fever transmitted in children? There are 2 main routes of infection:

• airborne;
• contact-household.

Only in some cases, infection through third parties or wound surfaces is possible.

The causative agent of scarlet fever is pyogenic streptococcus, which is included in serogroup A. However, in some cases, even the penetration of bacteria into the human body is not capable of provoking the development of the disease.

The occurrence of infection is possible only under the condition of weak immunity, when the human body is not able to cope with the pathogen on its own. That is why children, who are very susceptible to various viruses and bacteria, are the first to become infected.

Most often, the disease is registered in preschool institutions, since it is there that the child first enters the team and the likelihood of meeting with the infection increases.

The incubation period for scarlet fever in children ranges from 24 hours to 10 days. This is an individual indicator that depends on the state of the immune system.

The younger the child, the more likely the rapid onset of the disease and its clinical manifestations.

Signs of infection

With the development of scarlet fever in children, symptoms may appear within a few days after contact with the pathogen. Initial manifestations occur in the place where streptococcus settles - in the nasopharynx.

The disease begins with the appearance of signs of inflammation - the throat becomes reddened, the palatine tonsils are involved in the pathological process. The person cannot swallow, which makes it difficult to eat.

The first symptoms of scarlet fever in children include a crimson tongue with swollen and painful papillae. After some time, white purulent deposits appear in the region of the root of the tongue.

Signs of scarlet fever in children develop very quickly. The younger the child, the faster the disease progresses and the more severe the infection.

How does it manifest itself? The body temperature rises sharply to febrile values, a pronounced intoxication of the body develops - headache, fatigue and sweating.

The first signs of scarlet fever, which can appear within a day from the onset of the disease, are weakness and a specific punctate rash that rises above the level of the skin. It is localized in the upper part of the body, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body.

The diameter of the elements is 1-2 mm, they quickly merge into conglomerates, located most often in the armpits and elbows.

What does scarlet fever look like on a child's face? A distinctive feature of the disease is the localization of the rash in the forehead and temples. In this case, the nasolabial triangle becomes unnaturally pale. Against its background, the lips of the patient stand out as a bright spot - a rich burgundy color.

How does the disease manifest itself? Other signs of infection include an increase in the size of nearby lymph nodes - submandibular, cervical and others. They are painful on palpation, but are not soldered to each other and nearby tissues.

Features of the infection

Diagnosis of scarlet fever in children is generally not difficult. For this, a visual examination of the child is sufficient. Especially if there are characteristic scarlatinal rashes and tonsillitis.

In some cases, there is a latent course of the disease. At the same time, skin manifestations are completely absent, patients complain only of a slight sore throat.

How to determine the disease and make sure the correct diagnosis is made? To do this, you need to take a swab from the throat for streptococcus, which is the causative agent of infection.

In the absence of such an opportunity, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the skin on the palms of the child.

After 7-10 days, a pronounced peeling will appear on them, which creates the feeling that the epidermis is completely torn off. Erased forms are most often recorded in older children or adults.

The acute period of the disease is about 3-4 days. At this time, elevated body temperature, severe sore throat and rash persist.

Gradually, the clinical manifestations of the disease become less intense and disappear completely. The speed of recovery depends on the individual characteristics of the human body.

How does scarlet fever occur in children under one year old? Newborns and toddlers have imperfect immunity, and therefore any infection in them is much more difficult than in adults. The child needs to be hospitalized in a hospital to ensure round-the-clock medical supervision.

Principles of disease therapy

How to treat scarlet fever in children? Since the causative agent of the infection is group A streptococcus, which belongs to bacteria, the treatment of the disease is based on the use of antimicrobial agents.

The drug of choice is antibiotics of the penicillin series in age dosages. How to treat the disease with an allergic reaction or the presence of a contraindication to the appointment of these drugs?

In such a situation, macrolides or cephalosporins of the first generation are included in the therapeutic regimen.

The choice of the necessary drug, dosage, frequency of use and duration of the course is at the discretion of the attending physician.

Only a specialist is able to prescribe an effective therapy with which you can achieve recovery of the patient and prevent the development of complications.

You can not stop the use of antibiotics when the patient's well-being improves. Scarlet fever is very dangerous, because it threatens with the development of serious complications - damage to the joints, myocardium, etc.

Other methods of treating the disease:

1. Treatment of scarlet fever in children at home involves the use of tools that can be used to treat the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue. To relieve inflammation and remove purulent deposits, it is advisable to use a solution of Furacillin or other antiseptic agents. Good results are shown by the use of infusions and decoctions based on medicinal herbs - chamomile, calendula, etc.
2. A childhood infection is often accompanied by severe intoxication of the body, due to the fact that streptococcus produces a powerful toxin. To strengthen the immune system, the use of multivitamin preparations is indicated.
3. To prevent the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis against the background of long-term use of antimicrobial agents, probiotics are used.
4. Symptomatic treatment consists in the use of antipyretic drugs when the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees.

With scarlet fever, the patient must strictly adhere to bed rest. This will restore strength so that the body can fight the disease on its own.

The child must eat well to get all the important vitamins, minerals and other components. Food must be ground to a semi-liquid state so that solid particles do not damage the mucous membrane.

You should also pay attention to the temperature of food - you can not eat hot or cold dishes in order to prevent adverse effects on the inflamed throat. Nutrition should be complete and balanced.

In the absence of appetite, you need to make every effort so that the child eats and restores energy. The patient should drink plenty of warm fluids. This is necessary for the rapid removal of toxins and relaxation of the sore throat.

Proper nutrition will prevent irritating effects on the tongue and inflamed mucous membranes.

Is it possible to bathe a child with scarlet fever? Hygiene procedures should be carried out regularly. Clean skin guarantees a quick recovery of damaged cells and prevents the addition of secondary microflora.

The main thing is to do this very carefully so as not to damage the elements. The water should not be hot, but warm, which will eliminate the possibility of discomfort during washing.

Therefore, there is no need to doubt whether it is possible to bathe with this disease, this is an important part of the successful recovery of the patient.

Since scarlet fever is an infection transmitted by airborne droplets, the patient must be isolated from others in a separate room.

Allocate personal dishes, towels. The room should be ventilated frequently and wet cleaned regularly.

Preventive measures

How many days is a child contagious? The patient is able to infect others within 10-12 days from the onset of the disease. The most dangerous period is 1-2 days before the first clinical signs of the disease appear.

Prevention of scarlet fever in children is to isolate the patient. During this period, a quarantine is established, in which new children are not accepted into the group in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

How many times do you get scarlet fever? You can catch the infection only 1 time. This is precisely the reason for the need to care for a sick person who has already been ill with this disease. It is important to follow this rule for families with young children.

Pregnant women should avoid contact with the patient, especially in the first trimester. Why is scarlet fever dangerous? During this period, the laying and formation of important organs and systems of the fetus occurs, so the use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited.

Thus, it becomes impossible to completely cure scarlet fever, which threatens the development of complications from the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.

In addition, the causative agent of the disease can provoke a miscarriage, as well as premature birth, fetal hypoxia and congenital pneumonia.

Often, parents are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to walk with a child with scarlet fever? There is no single answer, since it all depends on the well-being of the baby. In the absence of elevated body temperature and after the disappearance of the rash, the child can be taken outside.

Fresh air will help restore strength and energy. The only exception is the ban on staying in crowded places. These include cinemas, supermarkets, transport, etc.

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease with an acute course of the disease. The causative agent of the disease is the pathogenic bacterium streptococcus type A or in another way beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Scarlet fever mainly affects children from 3 to 10 years. But adults can also develop this condition.

The main symptoms of scarlet fever are high fever, a small rash (exanthema) on the body, and intoxication.

The cause of intoxication of the body is erythrotoxin. It is a product of the vital activity of the causative agent of the disease - streptococcus. In Greek, erythrotoxin sounds like red toxin. It causes severe inflammation of the surfaces of the human skin, which manifests itself in the form of small pimples and inflamed skin around them.

• An infectious disease is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person.
• The most dangerous period is 3 days from the onset of the acute phase of the disease.
• Gradually, the risk of infection decreases and is eliminated 3 weeks after the onset of the disease.

Infection most often occurs by airborne droplets, as well as through household items, toys. It is possible to implement an alimentary route of transmission if the pathogen enters food products.

The disease can occur in a person who is an asymptomatic carrier of the infection. Streptococcus can be inside a person without showing itself for months or even years. At this time, the carrier can infect someone or get sick himself when immunity is weakened.

The risk of getting sick with scarlet fever increases in the cold season, as well as in the presence of other streptococcal infections (tonsillitis, pneumonia).

Important

The appearance of the skin can tell about the presence of scarlet fever in children. With this disease, they are covered with a characteristic rash, which is localized in certain places.

Skin rashes can be noticed the very next day after the acute onset of the disease, which is accompanied by high fever, sore throat, and vomiting.

Initially, a small punctate rash appears on the neck, chest and cheeks. Further spreads to the face, lower and sides of the abdomen, back. The most intense rash appears in places where the skin is thin and prone to sweating: armpits, elbows and knees.

Scarlet fever is a serious disease that requires diagnosis and timely treatment. If the disease is not treated properly, it can cause various complications and relapses.

Although scarlet fever is dangerous, you should not panic. For example, on forums to discuss the disease, there is an opinion that scarlet fever in boys can cause infertility. There is no documentary or research support for this opinion.

Scarlet fever in children: stages of the disease and complications

The entire period of scarlet fever in children is divided into several stages:

• incubation period;
• First stage;
• active stage;
• recovery.

If a child has been infected with streptococcus, then the disease does not appear immediately. The incubation period of scarlet fever in children lasts from 1 to 12 days. Most often, the symptoms of the disease appear on the 3rd - 6th day.

The appearance of the first symptoms of diseases may be prevented by the treatment of any other disease with antibiotics. In this case, the incubation period of scarlet fever in children can last up to 2 or more weeks.

The same is true for the situation when the child has a cold or has infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The initial stage of the development of the disease is acute and lasts 1 day.

Scarlet fever symptoms:

• high body temperature from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius;
• chills, fever;
• vomit;
• severe weakness;
• sore throat;
• tachycardia;
• headache.

The active stage lasts 4-5 days. During this period, the child develops a rash on the body. He continues to be disturbed by the symptoms of angina, which is always present with scarlet fever:

• inflamed regional lymph nodes;
• hypermic pharynx;
• there is a white coating on the tonsils and tongue.

The temperature lasts for several days, and then subsides. With proper treatment, the child's well-being improves on 3-4 days from the onset of the disease.

The recovery period is from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the severity of the course of the disease.

Complications that scarlet fever gives in children are divided into early and late.

Early complications are those that occur directly in the course of the disease:

• Infection with streptococcal infection of other organs, resulting in such diseases as: rhinitis, otitis media, foci of infection in the kidneys and liver.
• Violation of the state of blood vessels and, as a result, various hemorrhages.
• Enlargement of the heart, a disease known as "toxic heart".

Late complications are manifested in the fact that disease-activated immunity can disrupt the functioning of internal organs:

• Kidney disease glomerulonephritis is characterized by a decrease in the volume of urine in the bladder and can lead to kidney failure.
• Trembling in the hands and feet, as well as a change in gait, is due to a disease such as Sidengami's chorea.
• Pain and redness in the joints are a sign of the development of rheumatism of the joints.
• Heart valves become tighter, which can lead to heart failure.

Scarlet fever in children provokes the development of more serious diseases: pneumonia, otitis, nephritis, cervical lymphadenitis.

What are the forms of scarlet fever in children?

The symptoms of scarlet fever in children depend on the severity of the disease. Most often, scarlet fever in children manifests itself in a mild or moderate form.

Among the severe forms of the disease, the following types are distinguished:

• toxic form;
• septic form;
• erased form (scarlet fever without rash).

A severe form of childhood scarlet fever manifests itself against a background of reduced immunity, as a result of which the body is unable to cope with the infection.

In this case, there is a strong intoxication of the body, a violation of the functions of various organs, a total lesion and necrosis of the tissues of the nasopharynx, oral cavity, and larynx. In this case, the disease can last more than 3 weeks.

Mild scarlet fever in children usually does not have pronounced and painful symptoms. The patient's condition improves 3-5 days after the onset of the disease.

Recurrent scarlet fever in children is rare. During the disease, the body forms immunity against this pathogen.

If the immune system is weak, the form of the disease is severe, and the treatment was untimely, then relapses are possible. Also, scarlet fever in children can occur again if the disease was mild and immunity was not formed.

Scarlet fever in infants and newborns

Scarlet fever in newborns is a rare disease. It usually develops in children from two years of age. But if there is a patient in the house who has close contact with the baby, then the disease is possible.

Scarlet fever in infants is mild. Symptoms are mild and there may be no rash on the skin. If you suspect this disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If the baby has a rash on the face and body, then terrible diagnoses should not be made immediately. It can be prickly heat or diathesis, which are quite common in babies.

Pediatric scarlet fever in young children: diagnosis and treatment.

An experienced doctor can easily diagnose scarlet fever in young children. However, in this disease, it is recommended to carry out a diagnostic program:

• A blood test for scarlet fever in children shows an increase in the number of leukocytes of the ESR value.
• A throat swab is taken to study the microflora. With staphylococcus, group A streptococcus is detected.
• An analysis of venous blood taken from children with scarlet fever is performed to determine the titer of antibodies to streptococcus.

After diagnosis and confirmation of the diagnosis, treatment is prescribed. Children's scarlet fever is treated primarily with antibacterial agents that can kill staphylococcus aureus. These include amoxicillin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone.

Is it possible to bathe a child with scarlet fever?

A rash in children's scarlet fever is not specifically treated. But bathing a child during the manifestation of a rash on the skin is impossible.

In addition to fighting the causative agent of the disease, the child is prescribed symptomatic therapy to alleviate the condition.

With scarlet fever in young children with severe and moderate condition, intravenous infusions are indicated to detoxify the body.

If there are no indications for hospitalization, then to remove toxins, it is necessary to provide the child with plenty of fluids. Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve allergies.

The answer to the question of whether it is possible to swim with scarlet fever excites all parents who are faced with this disease. Most people consider scarlet fever a very dangerous disease. They fear because of severe complications on the internal organs or joints.

Medical research, which was carried out on the basis of the results of observation of patients, confirmed these fears. Scarlet fever really provokes complications, but, as the study showed, they happen in isolated cases.

Where does scarlet fever come from?

The literal translation from Latin is "scarlet color". This disease has been around for centuries. It is characterized by red rashes on the mucous membranes and body.

Streptococcus microorganism is the main culprit and causative agent of the disease. There are many varieties of this type of infection, most of which are unable to harm the body. The exception is those cases when the immune system is extremely depleted. With reduced immunity, a person is affected by diseases. Scarlet fever is carried by streptococcus hemolyticus. The microorganism can provoke various dangerous complications. It releases a substance that affects and destroys body tissues.

The disease is contagious. Easily passes from one carrier of the disease to another. Preschool children are most at risk. Almost all newborn children are protected from scarlet fever by mother's breast milk, which gives babies immunity. Kindergartens are the main place of spread of the disease.

The infection gets to the child as follows:

• • through toys that become a carrier of the disease;
  • by airborne droplets;
  • through food that is at a very close distance from the carrier of the infection;
  • sometimes through fresh wounds or scratches.

With scarlet fever, the period of manifestation of the first symptoms can range from a week to 10 days. In some cases, the child is contagious to others long after recovery.

Nearly half of preschoolers can theoretically contract the disease. Weakened children with reduced immunity are most susceptible to this pathology. In order for scarlet fever not to pass to your child, it is necessary to observe elementary hygiene standards, provide the child with proper and timely nutrition, and rest.

Development of the disease

The first signs of scarlet fever may appear a week or a few hours after the infection enters the baby's body. They are similar to the symptoms of so many viral diseases:

• • a sharp rise in body temperature, sometimes up to 40 ° C;
  • capriciousness and lethargy;
  • refusal to eat, complete lack of appetite;
  • joint and muscle pain;
  • the constant presence of the baby in a state of sleep;
  • redness of the mucous membrane of the throat.

Sometimes a small child may experience vomiting and diarrhea.

A characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a rash. It appears first on the neck and chest. Then it spreads throughout the body. Its main accumulations can be observed in more sensitive areas: in the groin, on the sides of the body, in the inner folds of the elbow and knee folds. Itchy rashes cause inconvenience and discomfort. After a week, the rash dries up and disappears completely, leaving no traces behind.

One of the characteristic signs is a change in the color of the tongue. First, a whitish coating appears on it, then it disappears, starting from the edges. When there is nothing left of the plaque, the tongue will acquire a bright crimson color. This is indicative of scarlet fever.

Bathing a child with scarlet fever

Compliance with hygiene requires daily bathing, especially if the baby has recently been born. But is it possible to wash with scarlet fever? The answer to this question is positive. There is a warning: bathing a child must be very careful.

Bathing water should be warm, the temperature does not exceed 38 ° C. In no case should the water be hot, otherwise the child will be burned. The body and cheeks can be lathered with baby soap. Soap should be extremely careful so as not to damage the delicate skin of the baby. It is strictly forbidden to use washcloths and other items. Rinse off the soap must also be extremely careful. You can't use the shower. It is necessary to collect water in the palm of your hand and just rinse the body. Drying the baby after bathing is also not recommended. You can wrap it in a soft cotton towel and let the body dry, then change into casual clothes made from natural fibers. It can be thin cotton, linen or flannel. Bathing at high temperatures is not worth it. We must wait until the temperature returns to normal.

From the first days of illness, in no case should one limit the hygienic care of a child to washing hands before eating. It is worth washing it daily. The shower can be allowed during the period when the dried crusts begin to peel off. Taking a shower during this period is allowed once every two days.

In addition to the shower, during the exfoliation period, it is recommended to take hot soapy baths with water at a temperature of 35-36 ° C. Soap speeds up the exfoliation process. For better elimination of epidermoid scales, a decoction of bran is added to the bath. Keeping a child in a hot bath is not worth it for a long time.

If the rash with scarlet fever begins to appear very slowly, then this is dangerous. Bathing also speeds up the process of rashes. In addition to baths, you can do wet wrapping sheets. To do this, moisten the sheet with water, to which salt and vinegar are added. Wring out the sheet, wrap the child in it, put to bed and cover with a warm woolen or wadded blanket. After an hour and a half, wipe the baby dry very carefully and change into dry, clean, soft linen.

In no case should hypothermia be allowed during the procedures and throughout the illness.

Adults rarely get sick with scarlet fever. They endure the disease much easier than children. But the observance of precautionary measures, hygiene during illness, timely and thorough treatment are a prerequisite for obtaining positive results.

and very high temperatures should not be washed or bathed. Is it possible to swim with scarlet fever in a river, lake, sea? Absolutely not at high temperatures. When the temperature normalizes, you can, observing the precautionary measures. This is a small interval of time. Hypothermia is not allowed. The water should be sufficiently warmed by the sun. If the water is very cold, dirty, then you should not risk your health.

Caring for a sick baby

Scarlet fever "does not like" cleanliness, fresh air. When caring for a sick person, it is necessary to ventilate the room as often as possible, while avoiding hypothermia of the baby. Wet cleaning is carried out several times a day. The patient should be cared for by one person in order to limit the spread of the disease. During an illness, a child should use separate dishes and cutlery, which are disinfected when washed. If there are other children in the family, then the contact of the patient with them should be completely excluded. The patient should not be given soft toys, books, if he is not the only child in the house. The quality of toys should be such that they can be easily washed, wiped or disinfected.

Water procedures are necessary for the throat, tongue, and the entire oral mucosa. It is very useful to gargle with infusion of sage or valerian rhizomes. They have a calming effect, relieve itching.

In most cases, the patient is treated at home. Treatment must be treated responsibly. Many parents stop giving antibiotics when symptoms disappear. This is a terrible mistake. If the doctor recommended the use of an antibiotic for 7 days, then exactly 7 days are needed to completely destroy the infectious virus. The consequences are very terrible if the disease is not cured. When the symptoms are eliminated, the pathological disease does not go away, but begins to affect some internal organs. The consequences and complications of incompletely cured scarlet fever are very terrible. In the last century, this disease has claimed many human lives.

How many times do you get scarlet fever?

It is believed that after recovery, the child develops strong immunity against Streptococcus pyogenes and re-infection becomes impossible. But pediatricians still face similar cases. They are explained not by the tricks of evil spirits (without any jokes, that's what they thought in the Middle Ages) and not by counterfeit medicines, but by the peculiarities of our immune system.

Reasons for re-infection:

• Treatment started too early. The standard approach to it, practiced in our clinics, cannot be called optimal. If, at the first sign of the disease, the pediatrician gives the command “face!” and the child is treated with massive doses of antibiotics, they will quickly destroy the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. But it is premature to rejoice in this case: the immune system simply does not have time to develop specific antibodies. This means that re-infection will become possible.


• Too weak a defensive reaction. This often happens after a child has suffered a serious illness that has significantly undermined his strength. The immune system recognizes the threat, but can no longer cope with the problem.
• Parallel development of another disease. This happens very rarely, but if your child is "lucky" to pick up chickenpox and scarlet fever at the same time, the body may not resist the double attack. Immune cells will destroy the chickenpox virus, and streptococcus will remain "in the shadows."
• Diagnostic error. The rash characteristic of scarlet fever is not considered a reliable diagnostic criterion, since many other diseases can have similar skin manifestations. Therefore, if the diagnosis was made without laboratory confirmation, then re-infection will become primary, since the immune system will not know anything about Streptococcus pyogenes.

How to properly process the room?

First of all, it should be clarified that the final disinfection should be carried out only when the child has fully recovered. If this is not done, Streptococcus pyogenes will remain indoors and pose a threat to humans for some time. The only effective and correct in this situation will be an integrated approach, and not individual measures.

How and with what to process the room?

• Places where the patient's secretions and pieces of food could remain. Sprinkle with heat-resistant lime or bleach and soak for about 60 minutes.
• Medical utensils in which discharge could remain. Boil for at least 15 minutes. or treat with solutions of chloramine, lime or DTS HA (two-tertiary salt of calcium hypochlorite) for at least 1/2 hour.
• Dishes for food and personal hygiene items. Boil in 2% sodium carbonate solution for 15 minutes. Or they can be treated with solutions of chloramine (1%), clarified bleach (1%), hydrogen peroxide with detergent (3% + 0.5%), and then rinsed thoroughly.
• Linen. Boil 15 min. in 2% sodium carbonate solution or soak for 30 minutes. in chloramine (0.2%) or hydrogen peroxide (3% + 0.5%).
• Bedding, books. They are treated only in disinfection chambers or a 1% chloramine solution and a hard brush are used for this.
• Toys (plastic, wood, metal, rubber). Boil 15 min. in 2% sodium carbonate solution or immerse in any disinfectant solution (0.5% chloramine or bleach) for 1 hour.
• Walls, ceiling, windows, doors, furnishings. Treat with 1% solutions of chloramine or bleach (300 ml/m2). The floor is washed with the same preparations at a slightly lower consumption of the product (200 ml / m2).
• Sanitary equipment. Any common disinfectants will do: "Squirrel", "Shine", PCHD, "Sanita" (dosage and method of application - in the attached instructions).

How many days does the temperature last with scarlet fever?

It depends on three factors: the stage of the disease, its type and the individual characteristics of the child's body (immunity, concomitant diseases). Therefore, it is not necessary to talk about specific and exact figures in this case, but you can roughly imagine the overall picture of the disease.

• Incubation (from 11 to 24 days). It is rarely characterized by any external manifestations. Therefore, all this time the temperature remains perfectly normal.
• Initial (1 day). The temperature rises greatly in a few hours, which, in turn, sometimes leads to delirium and hallucinations.
• Basic (from 3 to 5 days). The temperature is kept stably high, and the use of conventional antipyretics does not give a stable and lasting effect.
• Recovery (from 7 to 22 days). The temperature gradually decreases to normal levels.

It is worth clarifying that in some cases, the manifestations of scarlet fever are atypical, which is why the above scheme “does not work”. But in general, it can be argued that the temperature with rubella lasts from 1 to 4 weeks. Also note that its stabilization at around 36.6 degrees is not evidence that the patient has fully recovered.

Is it possible to bathe a child with scarlet fever?

There is nothing forbidden in this, but you must follow certain rules. Therefore, the widespread opinion that the child is “absented” from the bath for the entire time of illness is completely wrong.

Rules for bathing children with scarlet fever:

• Water should be warm (37-38 degrees), not cold or hot.
• It is strongly not recommended to use any washcloths and sponges.
• You can wash with mild baby soap, but it is better to refuse other hygiene products, especially those intended for adults.
• You can't use the shower.
• It is not recommended to wipe the child after bathing: it is better to just wrap him in a towel.
• Clothing that parents will give to a small patient after the procedure should be made from natural fabrics. Linen, cotton or flannel will do.
• Instead of baths, you can wash your child daily, but this will not replace a full bath.
• To speed up recovery, soap baths will be useful, which will contribute to the speedy exfoliation.
• Wrapping in a wet sheet gives a good therapeutic effect (a little vinegar and salt should be mixed in the water).

Can a child walk with scarlet fever?

This question is of interest to parents who cannot clearly explain to a small patient why he should not go out. In fact, there is nothing impossible in this. The main thing is to follow certain rules and not force things. Otherwise, the very first walk will put the child in a hospital bed for a long time.

Safety regulations:

• Soberly assess the condition of the child, not succumbing to the persuasion of a little sly person like "mom, I really want to walk, I'm almost healthy." But what if the thermometer shows an increase in temperature to subfebrile values ​​​​(37 degrees)? In this case, it is better to stay at home.
• Don't force a walk. If the child does not want to go outside, you should not insist, limiting yourself to airing the room.
• The most important condition for a walk is parallel treatment with antibiotics, and the first "publication" is possible only a day after the start of treatment. If your pediatrician did not prescribe them, you will have to wait one and a half to two weeks with a walk (counting from the day of the first clinical manifestations).
• Protect your child from walking in public places. First, the possibility of infecting other people should be considered. Secondly, if scarlet fever is aggravated by an "additional" infection with another strain of streptococcus, the consequences can be very serious. And these microorganisms are found everywhere, and some species are part of the normal microflora of the skin and mucous membranes.

How to relieve itching with scarlet fever?

If it is not very strong, then special treatment is not required. But, alas, this is not always the case. It is pointless to treat the itching itself, separately from the scarlet fever that caused it. Therefore, the pediatrician in most cases will recommend complex therapy. Most often, suprastin or similar antihistamines are used to relieve severe itching, but we categorically do not recommend self-medication, no matter how “harmless” pharmaceutical drugs may seem.

From home remedies, you can recommend a decoction of calendula and sage. Herbal ingredients must be thoroughly cleaned and crushed. 1/2 cup of ingredients, taken in equal proportions, should be poured with a liter of boiling water and allowed to sweat in a water bath for 30 minutes or a little more. After that, let the broth brew for 10 minutes and strain. The tool can not only rinse your mouth, but also make lotions on the areas of rashes.

Is there a scarlet fever without a rash?

This happens sometimes, although rarely. With an erased form of the disease, the rash may either be absent or remain almost invisible. But it's too early to rejoice in this case. Such scarlet fever can be very difficult and give serious complications in the form of necrotic tonsillitis and purulent lesions. That is why the rash is not considered the only reliable criterion: the correct diagnosis is made only after an exhaustive medical examination and several laboratory tests.

So are we swimming or not?

Red throat, crimson tongue, rash and high fever are considered characteristic manifestations. If the child is very difficult and the temperature is above 39, then you should not swim. It is better to wipe the baby with wet wipes. However, you can wash the child, as well as wash your hands, if necessary. In a serious condition, the intoxication of the body is very strong, so the person sleeps a lot. The heat contributes to the fact that he sweats, so as soon as the temperature goes astray, the child can be redeemed.

It is impossible when swimming:

• • Lowering the baby into too hot water, as you can burn the skin, which is already traumatized by rashes. Water should be at the level of body temperature, cool is also not worth washing.
  • It is better to wash with ordinary baby soap, use liquid, as the disease is contact, and other family members can use a bar;
  • In no case do we use washcloths, do not rub the skin with our hands, it is best to splash water with our palms, use the shower less often. You can take a shower when the rash begins to peel off and go away, then the touch of a jet of water on the body will not be so painful.
  • We do not leave the child in the bath alone. In diseases with temperature, there is always a strong weakness, so the baby can simply fall asleep or choke in the water.

If desired, doctors allow wrapping sheets soaked in vinegar and salt, but this method is not suitable for everyone. Vinegar is good for fever, but salt can irritate the skin and increase scratching. Do not aggravate the already difficult condition of the baby. If it is not possible to wash completely, then you can wipe it with wet wipes.

Don't forget to wash and disinfect

The child's clothes, underwear and what the baby is cared for in should be washed separately from the general linen, it is best to boil, including towels. You should not give your child toys that are difficult to disinfect, since the incubation period for scarlet fever is long, and other family members can become infected or the baby will get sick again. There is immunity to scarlet fever, so the next time the disease will look like a sore throat without rashes. Be sure to wet clean the room where the child is located and ventilate. This will help reduce the amount of germs around.

Contact route of the disease

When it enters through the skin, especially if they are damaged, scarlet fever goes through an atypical path, and the patient becomes contagious from the first manifestations. Infectiousness in scarlet fever lasts at least 3 weeks, so at this time it is better to isolate a child or an adult from society. In no case should you take your child to a kindergarten or school, or to an appointment with a hospital. Of course, they do not take a sick child to bathe in a public bath.

Symptoms of intoxication

With severe intoxication of the body and weakness of the baby, you should not expose yourself to prolonged bathing, pay attention to the symptoms:

• • Temperature increase over 39 degrees;
  • Weakness and aches in the body;
  • Headaches, vomiting, nausea;
  • Lethargy, abdominal pain.

Already with these signs, the baby should not be disturbed once again, let alone bathed. Just wash and wash him, and let him stay in bed. During the entire period of high temperature, the patient is very sleepy, so let him lie in bed.

Prepare the bathroom

Since the baby has a sore throat, heat the room before bathing him. Otherwise, the patient's condition may worsen dramatically. Remove excess items from the bathroom, everything you can, then disinfect. In the hospital, patients are not washed at all throughout the entire hospitalization, so stock up on wet wipes and teach your child how to use them. While the rash spreads throughout the body, the temperature is most often consistently high, so the child and his parents usually do not have time to bathe.

Complications that may arise

Be sure to look after the condition of the baby, the complications that arise are very insidious, and against the background of scarlet fever, a sore throat may appear due to drafts or false croup. Croup is dangerous by suffocation and the count goes on in a matter of minutes, do not leave the baby alone for a long time.

The following must be admitted to the hospital:

• • If the family has preschool children;
  • If there is no one to care for a sick baby;
  • With severe forms of scarlet fever;
  • Children left without parental care.

Treatment at home

Usually, the doctor recommends bed rest as long as there is a high temperature and a red throat. Then the child can move and play, but you need to make sure that he does not catch a cold. It is during the recovery period that the child's immunity is weak, and complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, pyelonephritis and others may appear. If the treatment was carried out incorrectly, antibiotics were not prescribed or their course was interrupted earlier, then rheumatism may subsequently appear.

Streptococcus, hiding, dormant in the body and affects weak spots. That is why it is more important for parents that the child undergoes a course of treatment and does not receive complications than washing it completely every day, risking a complication. You can get by with minimal hygiene, and after improving your well-being, take your baby to the shower.

Daily hygiene

In any case, the child should wash himself, since he needs to gargle, in addition, Hexoral, Ingalipt, Kameton and other means are treated. And to reduce itching, antihistamines are used: Claritin, Diazolin, Suprastin, Fenistil.

In the acute period, water procedures are not allowed, as doctors advise. Once again, we recall the rules of bathing: warm water, no washcloths and rubbing the skin, do not rub the body with a towel. Usually the prognosis of scarlet fever is favorable if all doctor's prescriptions are followed. In public places: ponds, rivers, lakes, patients should not be washed. This is not only the spread of infection, but also the opportunity to catch an additional one, because the body is weakened.