Causes and symptoms of scarlet fever in a child

Scarlet fever is a fairly common infectious disease, especially in children. Fortunately, the disease is easily treatable, especially if therapy is started in the early stages. Therefore, questions about what are the signs of scarlet fever in a child are of interest to many parents. After all, the sooner the baby is provided with qualified care, the lower the risk of complications.

Causes of developing scarlet fever

Statistics show that children between the ages of 2 and 9 are more likely to be infected with this infection. And before you consider the main signs of scarlet fever in a child, it is worth familiar with the cause of the disease. Throat lesions occur when certain strains of streptococcus enter the body. In this case, infection occurs by contact with a person suffering from scarlet fever or sore throat (bacteria are carried through the air). Undoubtedly, the state of the child's immune system is important here: according to statistics, the incidence rate increases in the cold season, when the baby's body has to deal with hypothermia. It is interesting that streptococcus affects the throat, causing angina. Nevertheless, the remaining symptoms (for example, rash) are the result of the body's reaction to toxins released by pathogenic microorganisms.

Signs of scarlet fever in children (photo)

In most cases, the incubation period lasts about four days. But, on the other hand, there are cases when the first signs of scarlet fever in children appeared several hours after contact with the infected person.

• The disease begins acutely, and its first symptoms resemble angina. There is an increase in temperature, stuffiness, sore throat when swallowing, weakness and aches in the body, grayish coating on the tongue.
• After 1-2 days on the body begin to appear characteristic small rashes, which thickly cover the skin of the neck and trunk. It should be noted that on the folds (for example, under the knees and on the inner side of the elbows) the rash has a brighter shade. On the face you can see large red spots on the cheeks and cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle - these are also signs of scarlet fever in the child.
• After 2-4 days the tongue is completely cleared of plaque and acquires a characteristic rich crimson shade.

Scarlet fever: treatment and possible complications

In some cases, the disease causes severe, and sometimes extremely dangerous complications. To begin with, it is worth noting that scarlet fever is often complicated by inflammation of the middle ear, as well as by damage to the mucous membrane of the nasal sinuses, which leads to the development of sinusitis. In addition, extensive allergic reactions to toxins released by the pathogen are possible. In some cases, there are also pustular skin inflammations. In the most severe cases, the disease affects the joints and kidneys. That's why, after noticing the signs of scarlet fever in a child, it's worth calling a doctor as soon as possible.

For mild forms of the disease, treatment is performed at home, hospitalization is indicated only for children with severe illness. Therapy reduces to a bed rest, reception of antibiotics and sparing diet. To accelerate the process of recovery, it is recommended that vitamins, immunomodulating agents, and regular throat rinses be taken.