Why Do People Get Concerned When They Here The Words Scarlet Fever?

This is an acute infectious disease caused by a certain variety of the germ known as streptococcus, which enters the body through the nose and throat, and first produces its effects in a localized sore throat. afterwards constitutional symptoms and a characteristic rash appear, the results of spread of the poisons produced by the germ in the throat and nose. Scarlet fever is a disease of childhood, especially up to the age of five and ten. But it is much more fatal in children up to the age of three years than in older children. The onset of the illness is usually abrupt; the incubation period is commonly two to three days, but may be anything from one to seven days. Sore throat, vomiting, headache, shivering fits, a rise of temperature up to 102 deg. to 103 deg. F. and the quick pulse are the usual symptoms.

The throat and tonsils appear intensely red. The tongue is furred at the onset of the illness, and often has the appearance which give rise to the term"white strawberry tongue". The surface is covered with a creamy white fur through which bright red spots project. Later, the fur strips off from the edges inwards, leaving a perfectly clean, bright red tongue, to which the name of "red strawberry tongue" has been applied. On the second day the rash appears. this is first seen on the neck, than it spreads gradually over the body and limbs, but rarely happens on the face. The forehead and checks are flushed which forms a striking contrast. The rash is composed of of tiny red spots, each being surrounded by a paler pink area. These spots are so closely packed together that they give the appearance of intense redness to the skin. the rash fade in the same order it appeared, and this is followed by peeling of the skin. Peeling goes on for two to three weeks, and the skin peels off in fine flakes.

Even in a case of simple scarlet fever without any complications, there is often some enlargement of the glands of the neck, but in the so called septic type of the disease, this enlargement is marked, there is much discharge of pus from the nose and septicemia may end the disease fatally. In rare cases the poisons produced by the germs are so powerful that the body is unable to cope with the invasion and death takes place after only a few days illness, during which there is high fever, continued vomiting and delirium.  It is very important to prevent the spread of the germs, close contact with the ill person, his cloths, things handled by the patient may also spread infection therefore isolation of patients is insisted upon at least for four weeks, or as long as there is any discharge from the nose. This disease is potentially dangerous in a household therefore pproper care must be taken.