Treatment of scarlet fever in children at home. Scarlet fever in children

Scarlet fever- acute infectious disease. It manifests itself as a small rash, intoxication and sore throat. It most often affects children, but adults can also become victims of this disease. All signs and symptoms of scarlet fever are caused by erythrotoxin (from Greek “red toxin”).

This is a poisonous substance that produces this type streptococcus. Having had scarlet fever once, a person develops immunity to beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Therefore, it is no longer possible to become infected with scarlet fever again.

What is the cause of scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by a microorganism. IN in this case The causative agent of the disease is group A streptococcus. It is also called beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This bacterium has a spherical shape. It secretes Dick's toxin, which causes intoxication (poisoning of the body with toxins) and a small rash (exanthema). Settles on human mucous membranes. They most often multiply in the nasopharynx, but can live on the skin, intestines and vagina. To protect themselves, bacteria can create a capsule around themselves and are prone to forming clusters – colonies.

In some people, streptococcus A may be part of the microflora. That is, it peacefully coexists with the human body without causing disease. But after stress, hypothermia, when immunity drops, streptococci begin to actively multiply. At the same time, they poison the body with their toxins.

Source of infection spread with scarlet fever is a person. It could be:

1. A patient with scarlet fever, tonsillitis or streptococcal pharyngitis. Such a person is especially dangerous for others in the first days of illness.
2. A convalescent is a person who has recovered from an illness. He can still secrete streptococci for some time. Such carriage can last up to three weeks.
3. A healthy carrier is a person who has no signs of disease, but group A streptococci live on the mucous membrane of his nasopharynx and are excreted in environment. There are quite a lot of such people, up to 15% of the total population.

Main route of transmission scarlet fever - airborne. When talking, coughing or sneezing, bacteria are released along with droplets of saliva and mucus. They enter the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract healthy person. Streptococci can find a new host in another way. For example, through toys, bed linen and towels, poorly washed dishes, food. There have been cases when infection occurred in women giving birth through the birth canal.

Epidemiology of scarlet fever.

Today, this disease is considered a childhood infection. Most patients are under 12 years of age. But the disease can also occur in adults. But babies up to one year old practically do not get sick. This is due to the fact that they inherited maternal immunity.

The patient is considered infectious from the first to the 22nd day of illness. There is an opinion that he can infect others a day before the first symptoms appear. This is due to the fact that during this period streptococci are already in large quantities in the nasopharynx and are released during conversation. But the body’s immune cells still keep the situation under control, so signs of the disease are not noticeable.

Peaks of the disease are observed in September-October and in the winter, when children return from vacation to school or kindergarten. In the summer, the number of cases decreases.

Due to the greater population density, the incidence is higher in cities. Urban children experience this disease in preschool and early school age and acquire immunity. And in rural areas, adults often get scarlet fever if they have been in contact with someone with scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever epidemics occur every 3-5 years. Over the past decades, scarlet fever has become significantly more mild illness. If earlier the mortality rate from it reached 12-20%, now it does not reach even a thousandth of a percent. This is due to the use of antibiotics to treat scarlet fever, reducing the toxicity of staphylococcus. However, some researchers claim that epidemics of “malignant” scarlet fever occur every 40-50 years. When complications and mortality rates increase to 40%.

What are the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever in children?

Scarlet fever in children causes severe poisoning with erythrogenic streptococcal toxin. Its action causes all the changes that occur in the body during illness.

The onset of the disease is always acute. The temperature rises sharply to 38-39°. The child becomes lethargic and feels severe weakness, headache and nausea. This is often accompanied by repeated vomiting. By evening, a characteristic rash begins to appear. Its features will be discussed below.

Children complain of a sore throat, especially when swallowing. The palate becomes red, the tonsils become greatly enlarged and become covered with a whitish coating. This is due to the fact that streptococci A colonize the tonsils and multiply there intensively. Therefore, streptococcal tonsillitis almost always develops with scarlet fever.

Lymph nodes that are located at the level of the corners lower jaw, enlarge and hurt. With the flow of lymph, toxins and bacteria from the nasopharynx enter them, causing inflammation.

If a wound or cut serves as the entry point for infection, then a sore throat does not develop. Other symptoms characteristic of scarlet fever persist.

What does a child with scarlet fever look like (photo)?

General state resembles a cold (fever, weakness)
The first hours of scarlet fever are similar to the flu or other acute illness.

Skin rash
But after about a day, a specific rash and other external symptoms appear. The rash associated with scarlet fever is called exanthema. It is caused by an erythrogenic toxin, which is part of the exotoxin secreted by group A streptococcus.

Erythrotoxin causes acute inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The rash is an allergic reaction of the body.

According to some characteristic external signs Scarlet fever can be distinguished from other infectious diseases. First small pimples appear on the neck and upper body. The skin becomes red and rough. Gradually, over 2-3 days, elements of the rash spread throughout the body. The rash lasts from several hours to five days. Then peeling appears in its place. This is the release of epidermal cells affected by streptococcal toxin.

Symptoms on the face
The baby's face becomes puffy and swollen. When you first look at a child, the pale area around the lips attracts attention. It contrasts sharply with red cheeks and crimson lips. The eyes shine feverishly.

What does the tongue look like with scarlet fever?

What does a skin rash look like with scarlet fever?

Exposure to group A streptococcal toxin causes all small blood vessels to dilate. In this case, lymph containing the toxin leaks through the walls of the capillaries. Swelling and inflammation of the skin occurs, and a rash appears.

Symptom name	Description	what does it look like?
Skin rash	Rash in the form of pimples, roseolas are very small and have a bright pink color, with a brighter center. Size 1-2 mm.
Pimples	They rise above the surface of the skin. This is almost unnoticeable, but the skin feels rough to the touch, like sandpaper. This phenomenon is called “shagreen skin”.
Dry and itchy skin	Characteristic of scarlet fever. There is redness around the pimples. This is because the skin is inflamed. The elements are very small and arranged so densely that they practically merge.
Rash on body skin	more pronounced on the sides of the body, in the inguinal, axillary and buttock folds, on the back and lower abdomen. This is explained by the fact that the elements of the rash appear where sweating more and thinner skin. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus toxins are eliminated through skin pores.
Darkening in skin folds	In the folds of the skin(neck, elbow and knee bends) dark stripes are found that do not disappear when pressed. This is due to the fact that the vessels become more fragile and small hemorrhages form.
White dermographism	White trail is formed if you press on the rash or rub it with a blunt object. This is an important diagnostic sign, which is called “white dermographism”.
Pale nasolabial triangle	Against the background of rashes on the skin of the entire face, a “clean”, rash-free area of ​​the nasolabial triangle
Individual roseolas are not visible on the face	The rash is so fine that the cheeks appear uniformly red.
The rash lasts for 3-5 days	Sometimes only a few hours. Then it disappears without leaving dark pigment spots.
After 7-14 days, skin peeling begins	At first, in those places where the rash was more intense - in the folds of the body. On the face the peeling is fine, on the arms and legs it is lamellar. This is due to the death of skin cells and the separation of the top layer - the epidermis.
The skin on the palms and soles peels off in layers	Due to the close connection between epithelial cells in these areas. Peeling begins from the free edge of the nail, then moves to the fingertips and covers the entire palm. The disappearance of the rash and recovery is due to the accumulation of antibodies in the body. They bind toxins and relieve symptoms of toxicosis.

What are the symptoms of scarlet fever in adults?

Scarlet fever is considered a childhood disease. This is due to the fact that by the age of 18-20, most people have already developed immunity to streptococci. But outbreaks of the disease also occur among adults. Especially often in close, closed groups: in student dormitories, among military personnel.

Currently, severe epidemics among adults are not common. In most cases, they occur in the form of streptococcal pharyngitis without a rash.

Signs of scarlet fever in adults may not be as clear as in children. Often the rash on the body is unnoticed and insignificant, and disappears in a few hours. This makes it difficult to make a diagnosis.

Scarlet fever in adults begins acutely and has much in common with sore throat. Changes in the nasopharynx are caused by the fact that beta-hemolytic streptococcus multiplies most intensively in this area. It causes destruction of the mucous membrane. The intense red color of the palate and tongue is explained by the fact that small blood vessels dilate under the influence of toxins secreted by bacteria. Also arise:

• severe sore throat that gets worse when swallowing
• a whitish-yellow coating appears on the tonsils, purulent foci and ulcers may occur
• submandibular lymph nodes become enlarged and inflamed

In adults, symptoms of general intoxication quickly increase - poisoning with streptococcal toxin:

• high temperature, often up to 40°
• weakness and severe headache
• nausea and repeated vomiting in the first hours of illness

They are caused by Dick toxin entering the bloodstream and spreading the infection throughout the body. This causes minor allergic rash. The skin becomes dry, rough, and itching appears. The rashes have the same features as in children:

• the first rash appears on the face
• the area below the nose to the chin is without rash and very pale
• Most roseola are found in the folds of the body and above the pubis
• dermographism is observed - a white mark after pressing, which is noticeable for 15-20 seconds
• in severe cases, the rash may take on a bluish tint. This is due to small hemorrhages under the skin.

Streptococcus A can enter the body through cuts and burns. In this case, the rash is more pronounced near the wound where bacteria have settled. Lymph nodes near the affected area become enlarged and painful. This is because they are trying to delay the spread of infection. In them, like in filters, microorganisms and their decay products accumulate.

What is the incubation period for scarlet fever?

The incubation period is the time from the moment beta-hemolytic streptococcus enters the body until the first manifestations of the disease. This period of the disease is also called latent. A person is already infected, but the number of bacteria is not yet large and they do not have a noticeable effect.

Incubation period for scarlet fever lasts from 1 to 12 days. In most cases from 2 to 7 days. The duration depends on the state of immunity and the number of streptococci that have entered the body.

During this period, streptococci settle on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and multiply there intensively. The body's immune cells try to destroy them, and at first they cope with their task. The body begins to produce special antibodies to fight the disease.

But then a moment comes when there are too many streptococci and they intensively release toxins, undermining the body’s strength. The human immune system is not able to cope with them on its own and treatment is required.

How to prevent scarlet fever?

In order to protect yourself from scarlet fever, it is necessary to avoid communication with patients with scarlet fever and carriers of staphylococcus. But, unfortunately, this is not always possible. After all, the carriers look absolutely healthy.

To protect yourself and your child, you need to know how the disease is transmitted.

• airborne– infection occurs through communication, staying in the same room
• food (nutritional)– staphylococci end up on foods that a healthy person then consumes
• contact– transmission of bacteria from a sick person to a healthy person through household items, toys, clothing

Scarlet fever is not as contagious as other infectious diseases, such as chickenpox. You can be in the same room as someone who is sick and not get infected. Susceptibility to disease depends on immunity.

Main preventive measures: identification and isolation of patients. The team where the patient was located is quarantined for a period of 7 days. If the child went to kindergarten, then those children who have not been in contact with the sick person are not accepted into the group. They are temporarily transferred to other groups.

During this period, a daily examination of all children or adults who were in contact is carried out. In children's groups, the temperature is taken daily and the throat and skin are examined. This is necessary in order to promptly identify newly infected people. Special attention pay attention to signs of respiratory infection and sore throat. Since this may be the first symptoms of scarlet fever.

Children who had contact with the sick person are not allowed into kindergartens and the first two grades of school for 7 days after contact. This is necessary to ensure that the child is not infected.

A patient with scarlet fever is isolated and admitted to the team 22 days from the onset of the disease or 12 days after clinical recovery.

Everyone who interacted with the patient is prescribed Tomicide. The drug must be gargled or sprayed 4 times a day after meals for 5 days. This helps prevent the development of the disease and get rid of streptococci that may have entered the nasopharynx.

Most often, treatment is carried out at home. Patients with a severe course of the disease and in cases where it is necessary to prevent infection of small children or workers of decreed professions are sent to the hospital. These are the people who work with children, medical institutions and in the field of nutrition. They are hospitalized for at least 10 days. For another 12 days after recovery, such people are not allowed into the team.

If a child in the family gets sick, the following rules must be followed:

• exclude communication with other children
• place the patient in a separate room
• One family member must care for the child
• Do not wash your child’s clothes with the laundry of other family members
• provide separate dishes, bed linen, towels, hygiene products
• thoroughly treat toys with a disinfectant solution, and then rinse with running water

The room where the patient is located is disinfected. This is wet cleaning with a 0.5% chloramine solution. You also need to regularly boil the clothes and dishes of the sick person. Such measures will help prevent the spread of streptococcus and infection of others.

Dispensary registration

In order to prevent carriage of streptococcus, patients are under medical supervision for a month after discharge from the hospital. After 7 days and a month, control blood and urine tests are carried out. If necessary, a cardiogram is performed. If the tests do not reveal bacteria, the person is removed from the dispensary register.

What are the possible consequences of scarlet fever?

All complications of scarlet fever are explained by the characteristics of the bacterium that causes it. Beta-hemolytic streptococcus has a triple effect on the body:

• toxic– poisons with bacterial poisons. Dick's toxin affects the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, adrenal cortex, protein and water-mineral metabolism is disrupted
• allergic– proteins that are formed as a result of the breakdown of bacteria cause an allergic reaction. This factor is considered the most dangerous
• septic– spreads throughout the body with the bloodstream and causes purulent foci of inflammation in various organs.

According to statistics, complications occur in 5% of patients. Of this number, almost 10% are heart lesions (endocarditis, myocarditis). In second place, 6% - pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). In third place is sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses).

Complications after scarlet fever are divided into early and late.

Early complications of scarlet fever appear 3-4 days after the onset of the disease.

Consequences associated with distribution infectious process and the spread of beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

There may be:

• necrotizing tonsillitis– destruction caused by streptococcus can lead to the death of areas of mucous membrane on the tonsils
• paraamygdala abscess– accumulation of pus under the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx around the tonsils
• lymphadenitis- inflammation lymph nodes as a result of the accumulation of bacteria and their decay products in them
• otitis– inflammation of the middle ear
• pharyngitis– inflammation of the walls of the pharynx
• sinusitis– inflammation of the paranasal sinuses
• purulent foci(abscesses) in the liver and kidneys
• sepsis- blood poisoning

Toxic. Streptococcal toxin causes abnormalities in the heart tissues called toxic heart. Its walls swell, soften, and the heart increases in size. The pulse slows down, the pressure drops. Shortness of breath and chest pain occur. These phenomena are short-term and disappear after a sufficient amount of antibodies that bind the toxin has accumulated in the body.

Allergic. The body's allergic reaction to the bacterium and its toxins causes temporary kidney damage. Its severity depends on the individual reaction of the body and on whether it has encountered this bacterium before.
Allergy manifestations include vascular damage. They become brittle and internal bleeding occurs. Of these, cerebral hemorrhage is especially dangerous.

Late complications of scarlet fever

Late consequences are the most dangerous and are associated with sensitization of the body - allergies. As a result, immune system cells attack their own tissues and organs. The most serious allergic complications:

1. Heart valve damage– the valves that ensure blood flows in the right direction thicken. At the same time, the tissue becomes brittle and breaks. Blood circulation in the heart is disrupted, and heart failure develops. Manifested by shortness of breath and aching pain in the chest.
2. Synovitis– serous inflammation of the joints – the result of allergization, occurs in the second week of the disease. Are affected small joints fingers and feet. It manifests itself as swelling and pain. Goes away on its own without treatment.
3. Rheumatism– damage to large joints occurs at 3-5 weeks. In addition to pain in the limbs, complications from the heart may also appear. Rheumatism c reads as the most common and unpleasant complication of scarlet fever.
4. Glomerulonephritis- kidney damage. After recovery, the temperature rises to 39°. Swelling and pain appear in the lower back. Urine becomes cloudy and its quantity decreases. In most cases streptococcal glomerulonephritis treatable and goes away without a trace. But if measures are not taken in time, it may develop renal failure.
5. Chorea– brain damage that occurs 2-3 weeks after recovery. First manifestations: laughter and crying for no reason, restless sleep, absent-mindedness and forgetfulness. Later, uncontrolled movements in the limbs appear. They are fast and messy. Coordination, gait, and speech are impaired. In some cases, the brain manages to compensate for the impaired function, in others, inconsistency of movements remains for life.

Late complications after scarlet fever most often occur if the infectious disease was treated independently without antibiotics or the diagnosis was made incorrectly.

Prevention of complications - correct and timely treatment of scarlet fever. At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor. Taking antibiotics, antiallergic drugs and drinking plenty of fluids is reliable protection from the occurrence of complications.

Is scarlet fever contagious, and how is it transmitted?

Scarlet fever is a contagious disease. In order to get it, you need to communicate with someone who has tonsillitis, scarlet fever, or a carrier of streptococcal infection. Also dangerous are people from the patient’s environment who have been diagnosed with acute tonsillitis, nasopharyngitis, bronchitis. Most often, they also secrete hemolytic streptococcus.

There are four mechanisms of infection:

1. Airborne– infection occurs through contact with a patient or carrier. The disease spreads quickly in children's groups. When you cough or talk, an aerosol is formed in the air from small droplets of saliva containing the pathogen. When the bacteria enter the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract of a healthy person, they first colonize the palatine tonsils (tonsils) and begin to produce a toxin. Over time, they spread to surrounding tissues and regional lymph nodes.
2. Domestic- through household items used by the patient. Toys, dishes, and linen can become a source of infection if saliva or mucous secretions of a sick person come into contact with them. Although streptococcus loses some of its dangerous properties in the environment, it can cause infection. This happens if a microorganism from dusty items enters the mouth or nose of a healthy person. The bacteria, once in favorable conditions, attach to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, begin to actively multiply and produce toxins. Therefore, it is so important to carry out ongoing disinfection in the room where he is and to prevent the sharing of his things.
3. Food (nutritional)– if bacteria get on it during cooking, then such a dish can become a breeding ground for them and a breeding ground. Particularly dangerous in this regard are dairy products that are not boiled and various jellies. When eating such food, a large number of microorganisms immediately enter the body. They linger on the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and cause illness. That is why so much attention is paid to testing cooks and other kitchen workers for bacterial carriage.
4. Through damaged skin- wounds, burns, damaged mucous membranes of the genital organs, the inner lining of the uterus after childbirth - can become an entry point for infection. Staphylococcus in this case multiplies not in the tonsils, but on damaged tissue. This causes the rash to concentrate around the wound and cause inflammation of nearby lymph nodes.

Do I need to use antibiotics for scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is one of the infections that is caused not by a virus, but by a bacterium. And if antibiotics do not affect the virus and cannot help a speedy recovery, then in this case the situation is different.

Antibiotic drugs effectively fight streptococcus. Within a day after the start of treatment, it is possible to stop the spread of infection throughout the body. The bacteria die and stop producing toxins. The patient feels much better. Therefore, antibiotics are mandatory for scarlet fever. The choice of drug depends on the severity of the disease:

• in mild cases, penicillins and macrolides are prescribed in tablets or suspensions for children: Erythromycin, Azimed, Azithromycin. Duration of treatment – ​​10 days
• for moderate forms - penicillin in the form of intramuscular injections: Oxacillin for 10 days
• in severe forms - cephalosporins of the I-II generation: Clindamycin, Vancomycin for 10-14 days. Administered intravenously

Thanks to antibacterial therapy, it was possible to transform scarlet fever from a deadly infection into a disease that is relatively mild. Antibiotics for scarlet fever make it possible to avoid life-threatening complications. In addition, they make a person safe for others from an epidemic point of view. He ceases to be contagious.

How to treat scarlet fever?

If you have scarlet fever, you must stay in bed for 3-7 days. Its duration depends on the patient’s condition and the characteristics of the disease.

In most cases, treatment occurs at home. They are sent to the hospital in the following cases:

• in severe cases of illness
• children from orphanages and boarding schools
• patients from families where there are persons who work in preschool institutions, hospitals, trade and catering workers, as well as other representatives of decreed professions
• patients from families with children under 10 years of age who have not had scarlet fever
• if it is not possible to isolate the patient and organize care for him

Treatment of scarlet fever is based on antibiotics. But for a speedy recovery, an integrated approach is required.

Other drugs are also prescribed in parallel:

1. Antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs - to eliminate manifestations of allergies and complications that may arise due to allergization of the body: Loratadine, Cetrin;
2. Antipyretics - to normalize temperature and relieve headaches: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen;
3. Strengthening the wall of blood vessels - to eliminate the effect of the toxin on blood capillaries: Ascorutin, Galascorbin;
4. Local sanitation means - preparations for cleansing the nasopharynx from bacteria: rinsing with Chlorophyllipt, Furacilin;
5. If the patient’s condition is serious, he is given intravenous saline solutions and glucose. This is necessary to maintain water-salt balance and quickly remove toxins.

In order to quickly cure a sore throat with scarlet fever and clear the tonsils of streptococcus, physiotherapy is prescribed.

1. Irradiation of tonsils with UV rays - they destroy bacterial proteins and cause their death.
2. Centimeter wave (CW) tonsil therapy – treatment of tonsils with microwaves.
3. Magnetic laser therapy – improves blood circulation and provides increased activity immune cells.
4. UHF therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerates healing.
5. FUF therapy – kills microorganisms, cleanses the tonsils of plaque.

Diet for scarlet fever

The patient’s nutrition should be aimed at maintaining the body’s strength, increasing resistance to infection and reducing allergenicity. Food should be easy to digest. It is also necessary to remember that a sore throat worsens when swallowing. Therefore, dishes should be semi-liquid and pureed. Doctors recommend therapeutic diet No. 13, which is prescribed for infectious diseases. You need to eat often - 4-5 times a day, but the portions should be small.

Recommended Products	Prohibited Products
Dried white bread	Fresh bread, baked goods
Low-fat meat and fish broths, vegetable soups, mucous decoctions of cereals	Fatty broths, soups, borscht;
Low-fat poultry, meat, fish	Fatty meats, poultry, fish
Cottage cheese and lactic acid drinks	Smoked meats, sausage, salty fish, canned food
Puree porridge from buckwheat, rice, semolina	Whole milk and cream, full-fat sour cream, hard cheeses
Potatoes, carrots, beets, cauliflower, ripe tomatoes	White cabbage, radish, radish, onion, garlic, cucumbers, legumes
Ripe soft fruits and berries	Pasta, millet, pearl barley and barley
Fruit compotes, rose hip decoction, diluted juices	Chocolate, cakes, cocoa
Sugar, honey, jam, jam, marmalade

If there are no kidney complications, you need to drink 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day. This will help remove the toxin from the body through urine.

Herbal medicine and folk remedies. We offer several of the most effective recipes.

1. Gargle with herbal decoctions. Chamomile, calendula, sage and eucalyptus are perfect for this purpose. Brew 2 tablespoons of one of the products with a glass of boiling water, let cool, strain.
2. Wash the horseradish root and grate it. Pour a liter of hot boiled water and leave for three hours. Use for rinsing 5-6 times a day.
3. Take half a glass of freshly squeezed beet juice, add a teaspoon of honey and apple cider vinegar and half a glass of warm water. Use to rinse every two hours.
4. Pour half a glass of calendula flowers with hot water and simmer in a water bath for 30 minutes. Allow to cool and apply as a lotion to areas of rash.
5. Ginger powder and licorice. Mix in a one to one ratio. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and leave to steep for half an hour. Strain and drink in one go.
6. Grind a teaspoon of propolis and mix with a glass of milk. Warm in a water bath for 15 minutes. Drink at night, after rinsing your throat.
7. Prepare a solution of citric acid. Dilute a spoonful of the product in a glass of warm water and gargle every 1.5-2 hours and after meals. Citric acid inhibits streptococcus and speeds up recovery. You can also suck on lemon slices throughout the day.
8. Wash the parsley root well and grate or finely chop. Pour one tablespoon of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Strain and drink 2-3 tablespoons 4 times a day.
9. Sour fruit and berry juices: lemon, cranberry, lingonberry - perfectly strengthen the body and kill bacteria. You need to drink 2-3 glasses of juice or fruit drink a day. Drink warm in small sips after meals.

Should you get vaccinated against scarlet fever?

Doesn't exist today specific vaccine against scarlet fever and other diseases caused by group A streptococcus. This is because there are a huge number of variants of these microorganisms. Pharmaceutical companies They are trying to develop a vaccine against scarlet fever. Today it is undergoing clinical trials, but it is not yet commercially available.

The following is sometimes used as a vaccine against scarlet fever:

• Intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin G. This remedy is made from the blood of donors and is given to people whose bodies do not produce enough antibodies. This ensures passive immunity: proteins for protection against bacteria and toxins are not produced independently, but are introduced in ready-made form.
• Streptococcal toxoid. The drug is prepared from a weakened, neutralized Dick toxin. The product causes the body to produce antibodies to staphylococci and their toxins. Increases the body's ability to fight infection and reduce intoxication during illness. Injected subcutaneously into the scapula area if there has been contact with the patient.
• Pyobacteriophage polyvalent/sextophage. Take orally 3 times a day for 1-2 weeks or use as compresses. It helps boost immunity and dissolves streptococci and other bacteria.

However, these drugs do not provide a 100% guarantee that infection will not occur. In addition, they have a fairly short period of action - from several weeks to one year. A contraindication to the use of these drugs may be hypersensitivity to their components. They can cause general allergic reactions, the most severe of which is anaphylactic shock. Therefore, it is necessary that the person remains under medical supervision for an hour after administration of the drug.

The main role in the prevention of scarlet fever remains general strengthening immunity. A nutritious diet, rich in protein foods and vitamins, physical activity and hardening of the body. These measures will protect the body from streptococcal infections and other diseases.

The initial signs of scarlet fever are very similar to colds. The child has a fever, a sore throat, a headache, and may start vomiting. And only after 1-2 days a rash appears on the baby’s body. The disease is dangerous due to the development of complications. Therefore, it is very important to promptly recognize the symptoms and seek help from doctors. Only adequate treatment scarlet fever in a child can protect the baby from development unpleasant consequences.

Characteristics of the disease

Scarlet fever is a contagious disease that is a special type. Such microbes are quite common and can cause various pathologies. They are the culprits of rheumatism and sore throat. However, the most common disease is scarlet fever.

Children aged 1 to 16 years are most susceptible to the disease. At the same time, children who are over 10 years old, according to doctors, have high level immune defense. Scarlet fever is extremely rare in infants under one year of age. They are protected from the development of pathology by the strong immunity that the mother imparts to the newborn as a result of breastfeeding.

Scarlet fever is almost always accompanied by pain and inflammation in the throat and high fever. Long time the disease was considered a severe childhood pathology. Today, when effective treatment for scarlet fever in children has been developed, the disease has ceased to be so dangerous. However, we must not forget that pathology can cause serious complications.

That is why it is necessary to understand what scarlet fever is in children. Symptoms and treatment, prevention of pathology - these are very serious issues that we will now consider.

Causes of development and routes of transmission

The main source that provokes the disease is the bacterium streptococcus. Penetrating into the body, it produces a certain substance - erythrotoxin. As a result of this impact, the following arise:

• rashes on the body and face;
• sore throat;
• redness of the tongue.

There are a great many varieties of streptococci. They have a number of similar elements in structure, but at the same time they also have differences. They differ in the ability of the body to produce a certain type of toxic substance.

After an illness, as a result of exposure to one of the types of bacteria, a person develops immunity. As a result of a collision with another type of streptococcus, completely different toxins arise. The immune system is again forced to fight them, producing new antibodies.

The main route of transmission of the disease is airborne droplets. However, this is not the only possibility of infection. It is very important to remember how the disease spreads. Parents should know not only (if scarlet fever has already developed in children) the symptoms and treatment. Prevention of the disease implies strict avoidance of all factors of possible infection.

So, if we talk about the main routes of transmission of scarlet fever, the following stand out:

1. Airborne (sneezing, coughing).
2. Contact and household (care items, toys, dishes and others).
3. Food (baby can become infected through contaminated foods).
4. Damage to the surface of the skin (sometimes due to cuts and various injuries epidermis and even with surgical interventions streptococcus is able to penetrate the body).

Classification

Demonstrates how scarlet fever manifests itself in children, photo. Treatment is selected by the doctor depending on the symptoms observed in the baby. Signs of scarlet fever can be quite varied and primarily depend on the type of pathology.

Today there are several classifications of scarlet fever. Let's look at some of them.

According to the form of the pathology, it can be:

• typical;
• atypical.

The latter, in turn, is divided into:

• erased form (no rash observed);
• extrapharyngeal (extrabuccal), abortive;
• form with engraved signs (hemorrhagic, hypertoxic).

If we talk about the severity of the pathology, we distinguish:

• light;
• moderate;
• severe (septic, toxic, toxic-septic) forms.

According to the course of the disease, the pathology can be:

• acute;
• with allergic waves, complications;
• protracted;
• without allergic waves, complications.

Of course, each variety has its own symptoms. That is why doctors take into account the type of disease in order to select an adequate treatment for scarlet fever in a child in each specific case.

Characteristic symptoms

Of course, for every parent who is faced with a disease such as scarlet fever, the signs and treatment of it in children are the most acute and important question. It was mentioned above that all the symptoms that occur in a baby depend on the type of disease. Therefore, we will consider the typical signs of pathology characteristic of certain types of disease.

Mild symptoms

The most common type. Often, a mild form of scarlet fever in children is diagnosed. Treatment of the disease in this case occurs at home. This form is characterized by the following points.

1. An acute increase in temperature to 38.5 degrees. At the same time, there are cases when the thermometer indicator indicates slight deviations or remains normal.
2. Minor or completely absent signs of intoxication. The baby may experience a headache, lethargy, and vomiting once.
3. Occurs on the body pinpoint rash, having a pale pink color. Manifestations on the surface of the skin are not abundant and are concentrated in the area of ​​natural folds of the skin.
4. Skin hyperemia in a mild form.
5. Painful discomfort in the throat is quite moderate.
6. Typical language changes.
7. Catarrhal sore throat in a mild form.
8. Peeling of the skin, characteristic of pathology.
9. Purulent and allergic complications are possible.

In most cases, the mild form progresses fairly quickly and without serious complications. The healing process begins by the seventh day.

Symptoms of a more serious type of pathology

The moderate form of scarlet fever is characterized by the following symptoms.

1. High temperature (can rise to 40 degrees).
2. The baby may be delirious.
3. There is repeated vomiting.
4. The child is in an excited state.
5. A profuse rash of bright color persists on the surface of the skin for about 6 days.
6. The child experiences severe painful discomfort in the throat.
7. Language changes characteristic of pathology are observed.
8. Enlarged tonsillar lymph nodes.
9. Lacunar tonsillitis is diagnosed. Sometimes, extremely rarely, follicular pathology can be observed.
10. The presence of purulent or allergic complications.
11. The rash is localized on the mucous membranes.

This is a rather complex form of pathology. Treatment of scarlet fever in a child requires mandatory medical intervention. In this case acute period lasts 7 days. And for final recovery the baby will need about 2-3 weeks.

Severe symptoms

This is the most unpleasant type of disease. Scarlet fever can occur in any of the following options.

1. Toxic form. The child has pronounced symptoms of general intoxication.
2. Septic. In this case, the baby experiences damage to certain tissues by necrotic processes. The oropharynx and tonsillar regional lymph nodes are affected.
3. Toxic-septic. The severity of the baby's condition is determined by local and general changes.

A severe toxic form of scarlet fever can be identified by the following signs:

• the disease has an acute onset, in which the temperature rises sharply (almost up to 40-41 degrees);
• clouding of consciousness;
• severe headaches;
• frequent vomiting, diarrhea;
• delusional state of the child;
• convulsions are possible;
• the tongue and lips are very dry, while the first is thickly coated;
• presence of symptoms of meningitis;
• Infectious-toxic shock may occur, which is manifested by a thread-like pulse, collapse, coldness of the extremities, cyanosis;
• on the third day of illness a rash with hemorrhages appears;
• catarrhal tonsillitis;
• cyanosis on hyperemic skin.

Unfortunately, with this form the risk of death is very high. Previously, death from this pathology occurred very often.

But today the disease often occurs in a mild form. Even moderate pathology is quite rare. According to doctors, treatment of scarlet fever allows you to avoid death and the risk of developing severe forms of the disease.

Diagnostic methods

Before selecting treatment for scarlet fever in children at home, you need to clearly make sure that the baby really has this pathology. The typical form of the disease does not cause any particular difficulties, since this type of scarlet fever has quite characteristic symptoms.

But if the pathology occurs in atypical form, it is quite difficult to recognize it correctly. In this case, the doctor resorts to the following

1. Study of epidemiological data. Possible contact with infected people is being investigated.
2. Bacteriological examination. Mucus from the oropharynx is examined for the presence of mucus. The analysis allows us to determine its type.
3. Immunofluorescent method. Study of mucus from the oropharynx.
4. Serological examination. The increase in the number of antibodies to various streptococcal antigens is determined.
5. Immunobiological test. Allows you to identify the absence or presence of the body’s susceptibility to scarlet fever.
6. Blood analysis. The development of pathology is indicated by leukocytosis of the neutrophil type.

In addition, it is very important to differentiate scarlet fever from those pathologies that have similar symptoms. This:

• rubella;
• measles;
• pseudotuberculosis;
• toxic-allergic condition.

How dangerous is the disease?

From the above, it is quite obvious that scarlet fever (symptoms and treatment in children) deserves the close attention of parents and doctors. Complications of the disease are very serious, so it is extremely dangerous to self-medicate.

Parents who deviate from the prescribed treatment regimen may doom their children to develop the following consequences.

1. Articular rheumatism.
2. Streptococcal glomerulonephritis. This is the consequence improper therapy, as a result of which kidney failure may develop.
3. Rheumatism of the heart valves.
4. Chorea. This is a late allergic complication. It is characterized by brain damage.

Exposure to toxins seriously impairs the functioning of the heart and kidneys. The child experiences shortness of breath and chest pain. He has low blood pressure and a weak pulse. Besides, pathological complications may affect teeth upper layer skin.

Depending on the form and severity of the disease, the following complications may occur:

• otitis;
• phlegmon;
• meningitis;
• mastoiditis;
• nephritis;
• synovitis;
• myocarditis.

The disease does not lead to infertility in boys or decreased potency. However, it is quite capable of reducing the body’s defense mechanisms and overall tone.

Treatment of the disease

Depending on the symptoms and form of the pathology, the pediatrician determines the need for hospitalization of the baby. In mild cases, scarlet fever in children is treated at home.

Doctors advise adhering to the following rules.

1. The baby must be in a separate room. This will protect the rest of the family from the spread of infection.
2. Bed rest is observed in the first days of illness, when the baby’s symptoms are especially pronounced.
3. Wet cleaning is carried out regularly.
4. A sick child's dishes should be washed thoroughly.
5. Dietary nutrition is an important component of treatment. It should correspond to the age of the baby. Treatment of scarlet fever in a four-year-old child involves well-cooked food with a semi-liquid (ground) consistency. The diet should contain plenty of warm drinks. Linden tea is very useful.

Drug therapy

It should be remembered that this pathology is a bacterial infection. Therefore, for an effective and quick recovery, treatment of scarlet fever in children with antibiotics begins. Only a pediatrician should select the drug, course of therapy and dosage, because the choice is based on the safety and effectiveness of the drug for each patient.

The following drugs are most preferable for streptococcal infections:

• "Flemoxin-solutab";
• "Amoxiclav";
• "Ampisid";
• "Augmentin".

If you have an allergic reaction to penicillin antibiotics, your pediatrician will recommend macrolides:

• "Hemomycin";
• "Vilprafen";
• "Sumamed";
• "Macropen".

Cephalosparins are sometimes used:

• "Suprax";
• "Cefalexin".

Along with antibiotic therapy, if the child has a high fever, antipyretic drugs are recommended. Treatment of scarlet fever in a 5-year-old child involves the use of drugs:

• "Efferalgan";
• "Nurofen";
• "Ibuprofen";
• "Panadol";
• "Calpol."

For older children (from 12 years old), medications can be used to normalize the temperature:

• "Nimesil";
• "Aspirin".

It is also important to remember that scarlet fever causes a sore throat. Therefore, the pediatrician will definitely prescribe remedies to get rid of inflammatory process on the tonsils. For such purposes, local antiseptics can be used. Just remember to take into account age restrictions so that such treatment of scarlet fever in children does not cause harm.

Medicines used to irrigate a sore throat:

• "Hexoral";
• "Tantum Verde";
• "Ingalipt";
• "Kameton";
• "Stop Angin."

A beneficial effect is provided by lozenges, such as:

• "Grammidin";
• "Lizobakt";
• "Faryngosept".

Since antibacterial therapy can disrupt the intestinal microflora, the treatment regimen for children must include medications that normalize this system:

• "Linex";
• "Acipol";
• "Biovestin-lacto";
• "Bifido-tank";
• "Lactulose".

• "Suprastin";
• "Zyrtec";
• "Diphenhydramine";
• "Tavegil";
• "Claritin."

If the disease is mild, it is quite possible to treat scarlet fever in children without antibiotics. However, only a doctor can make such a decision, since this pathology has a very high risk of developing serious complications.

Treatment with folk remedies

To fight scarlet fever, you can use recipes that our grandmothers used. They help protect against the development of complications and help significantly alleviate symptoms.

But it is important to remember that treatment of scarlet fever in children with folk remedies is possible only after consultation with a doctor. This allows you to avoid the occurrence of allergic reactions and protect the baby from unpleasant consequences resulting from the incompatibility of certain components.

The following treatment methods are widely used.

1. Uses of black radish. Large root vegetables must be washed and then grated. The gruel is spread on cheesecloth. Such a compress should be applied to the throat and insulated with woolen cloth on top. It should remain for 3 hours. It is recommended to apply the compress twice a day for 7 days.
2. Using horseradish. The middle root is crushed. This ingredient is poured with warm water (boiled) in an amount of 1 liter. The components are infused for 3 hours. After mixing, the solution should be filtered. This product is intended for gargling. By preheating the required portion, the procedure should be performed about 5 times a day. This treatment should continue for 10 days.
3. Propolis and milk. Honey component (1 tsp) finely chopped. You should add a glass of milk to it. The mixture is heated in a water bath for 15 minutes. The mixed mixture should be consumed in small sips. It is recommended to drink the entire solution at night. Before this procedure, it is necessary to rinse your throat.

Prevention of pathology

So, how to protect your baby from the disease? If scarlet fever has been detected in children, prevention and treatment are of paramount importance.

There are no vaccinations against this infection. Therefore, the only way to protect your baby from illness is to protect him from contact with sick people. But if communication does occur, carefully monitor the baby’s well-being. And if the first symptoms occur, call a doctor.

However, even with prolonged contact with a sick person, not all children become infected. The body's defenses help avoid scarlet fever. This is why doctors recommend:

• strengthen the immune system ( proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle);
• drink freshly squeezed juices and fruit drinks;
• during periods of vitamin deficiency, take vitamin complexes (prescribed by a doctor).

Today, when adequate therapy for scarlet fever has been developed, this pathology does not pose a threat to the child’s life. However, self-medication, as well as lack of therapy, can lead to serious complications. Protect your child from severe consequences!

Rash on the skin of the body, sore throat and heat are symptoms of many childhood infections. One of these infectious diseases is scarlet fever. It is very common in childhood and can cause serious complications. And therefore, many parents are concerned with questions - how a child becomes infected with scarlet fever and what the rash looks like with this disease, how scarlet fever occurs in children and how such an infection is dangerous, and many others.

What it is

Scarlet fever is an acute infection caused by hemolytic streptococci belonging to group A. Such bacteria can have a toxic and septic, as well as allergic effect on the human body due to the production of a special toxic substance - erythrotoxin.

It is this toxin that causes all the symptoms characteristic of scarlet fever. Due to the dilation of small blood vessels, children develop a rash, and the death of the epidermis caused by exposure to erythrotoxin causes severe peeling of the skin.

How is it transmitted?

Group A streptococci are transmitted from carriers and patients to healthy children mainly by airborne droplets. Bacteria are spread by sneezing or coughing, so people who are close to a sick child are especially at risk of becoming infected. Transmission of the pathogen is also possible through clothing, contaminated toys or food.

Who can you get infected from?

Streptococci can cause scarlet fever if they enter a child’s body from:

• A person suffering from scarlet fever, who is especially contagious in the first days of the infection.
• A person suffering from pharyngitis or tonsillitis, if these diseases are caused by group A streptococci.
• A recently recovered person, because bacteria continue to be released into the environment for up to three weeks after the condition improves.
• A carrier of hemolytic streptococcus who has no symptoms of the disease. Bacteria can live on the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, and at the same time not cause scarlet fever in its carrier, but be dangerous for other people.

Incubation period

The first symptoms of the disease appear on average 3-7 days after infection. Most often, the incubation period in children lasts two to three days. Sometimes it is reduced to one day or even several hours. In rare cases, the incubation period can be extended to twelve days.

How many days is a child contagious?

A sick child begins to release the scarlet fever pathogen into the environment from the moment the infection first appears. The contagious period can vary in length - several days or several weeks. If scarlet fever proceeds without complications and the child is treated with antibiotics, then after 7-10 days he ceases to be infectious to others.

Can an adult become infected from a child?

Scarlet fever is most often diagnosed in children aged 2 to 10 years. The disease in most cases causes lifelong immunity, therefore, if an adult had such an infection in childhood, scarlet fever often does not develop after contact with a sick child. Recurrent disease is possible with reduced immunity in adults.

If an adult has not previously had scarlet fever, he can become infected by airborne droplets from a sick child. However, the severity of scarlet fever in adulthood can vary. There are both erased forms and toxic scarlet fever with a very severe course.

Symptoms

The initial stage of scarlet fever in most children is short and lasts less than a day. The disease begins acutely with an increase in body temperature and the appearance of a sore throat. The main signs of a typical form of scarlet fever in children are presented:

• Symptoms of general intoxication. The disease is manifested by headaches, fever, general malaise, agitation (less often lethargy), vomiting, aching muscles and joints, and tachycardia.
• A pinpoint rash that appears on the first or third day of the disease.
• A sore throat, the course of which may be more severe than with ordinary sore throats.
• A change in the language that causes it to be called "raspberry". The tongue with scarlet fever is initially covered with a whitish coating, but on the second to fourth day from the beginning clinical manifestations turns bright red. It shows graininess as the papillae increase in size.
• Peeling of the skin, which appears approximately 1-2 weeks after the initial manifestations of the disease (it replaces the rash). On the feet and palms, the skin peels off in large parts, and on the torso, ears and neck, small peeling occurs, called pityriasis.

You can learn more about the symptoms that accompany the disease in the following video.

What does the rash look like?

The rash appears as numerous red or bright pink dots. The localization of the rash is mainly represented by the face area (on the cheeks), groin area, flexor surfaces of the limbs, as well as the lateral areas of the torso.

At the same time, in the area of ​​the elbows, under the arms, and also under the knees, the rash thickens, forming dark red stripes (this is called Pastia's symptom). In the area called the “nasolabial triangle” there is no rash with scarlet fever, and the skin of this part of the face will be pale (this is how Filatov’s symptom manifests itself).

If you press moderately on a scarlet fever rash with a spatula, the color of the spots becomes clearer, but with strong pressure with your palm, the rash disappears and the skin looks yellowish (this manifestation is called the “palm symptom”). A baby's skin with a rash feels like sandpaper to the touch.

3-7 days after the appearance, the rash begins to disappear, leaving behind peeling. Peeling is especially pronounced on the hands - the skin is removed from the fingertips in large areas, like gloves. There is no pigmentation left after such a rash.

How does a sore throat manifest?

Streptococcus that gets on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx settles on the tonsils and begins to secrete a toxin, which is the cause of sore throat in scarlet fever. The child’s throat becomes bright red (due to severe inflammation, this picture is called a “flaming throat”), and the tonsils become covered with purulent plaque.

Here are a few photos of a child’s throat with scarlet fever:

How long does the temperature last

Fever is one of the most common symptoms the initial stage of scarlet fever. The temperature rises sharply to 38-40°C. Some children experience febrile seizures due to this rise in temperature. A decrease in temperature in most children is noted from the third to fifth day of illness.

Severity of the disease

Depending on the age, state of immunity and clinical picture of scarlet fever, a child may have:

• Easy. Symptoms of intoxication in this course are mild, the fever does not exceed +38.5 ° C, the tonsils may be without plaque, and the rash is less bright and profuse. The mild form progresses faster - by the fourth or fifth day the temperature returns to normal and all acute symptoms disappear. Nowadays, this form is diagnosed in children more often than others.
• Medium-heavy. The disease begins acutely, the temperature rises to +40°C, the child complains of headaches, weakness, vomiting, and rapid pulse. The rash in this form is quite abundant, its color is bright, and the pharynx and tonsils are covered with a purulent coating. A decrease in temperature and disappearance of acute symptoms are noted by the seventh or eighth day of illness.
• Heavy. Nowadays, this form rarely develops. Due to severe intoxication, such scarlet fever is called septic or toxic. In addition, a severe form of scarlet fever is necrotic if the child develops necrotic inflammation of the tonsils, and the lymph nodes become inflamed and suppurate. At severe forms children must be hospitalized.

Atypical scarlet fever

In some children, the infection proceeds atypically (develops hidden form) . Doctors distinguish the following forms of scarlet fever in addition to the typical one:

• Erased. With it, intoxication is mild, the sore throat is catarrhal, and the rash is pale, scanty and disappears quite quickly.
• Extrabuccal. With such scarlet fever, streptococci enter the child's body through the affected skin.
• Scarlet fever without rash. With such an infection, all the symptoms of scarlet fever are present, but there are no rashes on the skin.

How many times do they get sick

In most cases, after suffering from scarlet fever, a person develops immunity to the erythrotoxin produced by streptococci, so children often suffer from such an infection once in their life. However, although very rare, cases of recurrent disease do occur.

The transfer of antitoxic immunity from a mother who has had scarlet fever to the baby after birth causes the rarity of cases of scarlet fever in newborns. The child is protected from such infection by maternal immunity for six months after birth.

Treatment

Most children with scarlet fever are treated at home. Hospitalization is required only in case of a severe form or complications, as well as in some other situations (for example, if a child from a boarding school falls ill or in the family of the sick child there are people who work with children, but it is not possible to isolate them).

Mode

Until the temperature drops, the child should remain in bed. In addition, during the acute phase it is important to adhere to a diet and strengthen drinking regime. The child is given food in semi-liquid or liquid form, and protein foods are limited. A child suffering from scarlet fever should drink a lot. It is best to give a warm drink, such as tea.

Drug therapy

Drug treatment for scarlet fever certainly includes antibiotics. Often, children are prescribed penicillin drugs in tablet form or syrup, for example, amoxicillin, augmentin, amoxiclav, retarpen. The duration of use and dosage is determined by the doctor, but usually the course of antibiotic therapy lasts 7-10 days.

Additionally, the child is given vitamin supplements and antiallergic drugs, and if intoxication is severe, infusion therapy is recommended (glucose and other drugs are administered intravenously). For gargling, use chamomile infusion, furatsilin solution, soda solution, calendula infusion and other antiseptics.

Homeopathy and folk remedies can be used in the treatment of scarlet fever as auxiliary methods, but only after consultation with a doctor.

Is it possible to bathe a child

Washing during scarlet fever is not prohibited. On the contrary, children should be bathed, as this will reduce itching of the skin and prevent scratching of the rash. However, it is important to follow some rules:

• The water in the bath should not be too hot or very cool.
• If the child has a fever, the bath is replaced by wiping.
• The skin should not be rubbed with a washcloth or sponge.
• To wash off soap suds, instead of taking a shower, it is better to douse with a ladle.
• It is not recommended to dry your child with a towel after bathing. It is better to blot the water by wrapping the baby in a sheet or diaper.

Complications

The risk of complications is significantly reduced with timely antibiotic therapy. In the development of damage to the heart, joints and kidneys, sensitization of the child’s body (its increased allergic sensitivity to erythrotoxin) is of great importance.

Komarovsky's opinion

The famous pediatrician quite often encountered scarlet fever in his practice. Komarovsky focuses the attention of parents on the following nuances:

• Streptococci have high sensitivity to penicillin antibiotics, so after just a few doses of the drug the condition of children with scarlet fever clearly improves.
• If a child is intolerant to penicillin, this will not be a problem either, since streptococci are sensitive to many other antimicrobial drugs.
• Scarlet fever can be called a disease in which timely administration of antibiotics ensures a successful outcome. If such an infection is not treated, severe complications (damage to the kidneys and heart) are possible.
• Treatment should not be stopped as soon as the child's condition improves. It is important to complete the course of antimicrobial medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Due to the timely administration of antimicrobial agents, sometimes streptococci die in the child’s body very quickly, and immunity to their toxins does not have time to develop. This is the cause of repeated diseases, which, according to Komarovsky, are easier than the first infection.
• Streptococcus can enter a child’s body not only through the throat. There are cases of infection through wounds on the skin. In this case, the child develops all the signs of scarlet fever (only a sore throat will not occur). Treatment is the same as for regular scarlet fever.
• A child who has had scarlet fever should not have contact with other people for some time after the illness, since repeated exposure to streptococcus can lead to allergies and other complications. Komarovsky recommends starting to attend school or kindergarten after scarlet fever no earlier than 3 weeks.

Mild forms and most moderate forms of scarlet fever in children can be safely treated at home. The kids are isolated for 10 days, after which, if their condition is satisfactory, they are allowed to go for walks.

Consequences

Nowadays, the prognosis for a child with scarlet fever is in most cases favorable. When the child has recovered, it is important to monitor his well-being in order to promptly identify possible complications. Close attention should be paid to the color of urine (it changes with kidney damage, becoming similar to “meat slop”) and complaints of joint pain.

Doctors should monitor moderate to severe scarlet fever for one month. If, 3 weeks after recovery, examination of the child, blood and urine tests do not show any abnormalities, dispensary observation is stopped. Having identified any alarming symptoms in a child who has had scarlet fever, he is referred for examination to a nephrologist or rheumatologist.

Prevention

It is known that there are no vaccines that protect against scarlet fever. Children and adults who have not been sick before can be protected from infection by the following measures:

• To prevent infection of family members, it is important to carry out regular ventilation and wet cleaning in the room where a sick child is.
• A child with scarlet fever should be cared for by one person, who is recommended to use specially designated clothing and a gauze mask.
• A sick child should be given a separate towel, his own dishes, a handkerchief, toys and other items that healthy family members should not come into contact with.

If a child has been in contact with a person with scarlet fever and has not previously had such an infection, he should be isolated from the children's group for 7 days. After a week's stay at home, such a child can return to school (we are talking about primary school) or to kindergarten.

• Symptoms and treatment

There are many diseases of an infectious nature that provoke the appearance of a rash on the skin of a child. One of them is with carlatina in children. Symptoms and treatment, prevention, photos signs of the disease - these are the points that will be discussed in detail in this article.

Scarlet fever: what is it?

Many parents wonder what is scarlet fever. Scarlet fever - infection bacterial nature, which is caused by beta-hemolytic group A streptococcus. This microorganism synthesizes and secretes erythrotoxic substances that provoke hemolysis. To understand what kind of disease - Scarlet fever, how is it transmitted? and in what ways it can be cured, the causes and mechanisms of the pathogenesis of the disease should be studied in more detail.

Scarlet fever, like many infectious diseases ( , mumps, chickenpox), is transmitted by airborne droplets, although each of the listed pathologies is viral infection, and scarlet fever is bacterial. This disease is very contagious and has a number of other routes of infection - nutritional, contact and water - but they are extremely rare.

Pathogenic streptococcus provokes not only scarlet fever, but also a number of other pathologies, namely: pyoderma, sore throat, intestinal infections, erysipelas. Scarlet fever when infected with streptococcus develops in the absence of immunity to erythrotoxic substances produced by the microorganism. In most people during adolescence, such immunity has already been formed due to other streptococcal pathologies; immunity is also transmitted transplacentally from mother to fetus, and after birth it persists for up to 2 years. According to these data, the risk of developing scarlet fever is highest in children aged 3 to 10 years.

The features of such a disease as pathology will be discussed in detail below.

Infection with scarlet fever is possible not only from those who are directly sick with it. Sources of infections can be patients with various forms of streptococcal infections, if the bacterial strain is a toxin-producing one. Infection is possible from patients with diseases such as:

• scarlet fever;
• angina;
• erysipelas;
• streptococcal pyoderma;
• intestinal infections;
• pyelonephritis;
• pneumonia;
• nasopharyngitis;
• otitis.

In very rare cases, infection may occur through contact with carriers of streptococcus.

Incubation period of scarlet fever in children and adults lasts from 2 days to 1 week, less often - up to 10 days. Most often it lasts 3-4 days. The incubation period is the period of time from the moment of infection to the moment the first signs of the disease appear. The patient becomes contagious most often the day before the onset of symptoms. When cases of scarlet fever are detected V kindergarten must be announced quarantine.

Scarlet fever is characterized by an acute, sudden onset - symptoms develop literally over the course of several hours. So, how it manifests itself This is a childhood disease in boys and girls? There are three main groups of clinical manifestations that have scarlet fever - signs intoxication, sore throat and rashes.

- this is what can be found in this and subsequent sections of the article.

Intoxication

Among its manifestations are the following:

• temperature rise above 39 degrees;
• drowsiness and lethargy;
• constant nausea, periodic vomiting;
• abdominal pain;
• headache.

Angina

With scarlet fever, symptoms of involvement of the respiratory tract in the infectious and inflammatory process occur. At first, the manifestations are catarrhal in nature - there is no plaque on the tonsils.

An important symptom of this disease is the so-called “flaming pharynx”: when examining the patient’s throat, a bright, limited hyperemia of the soft palate, tonsils, uvula and palatine arches is noted. These structural formations become deep red. These symptoms occur in children,photo clinical manifestations reflect the severity of the inflammatory process.

The child may complain of pain in the throat area, and the pain syndrome can have varying intensity - from mild soreness to severe pain. Children find it difficult to swallow and often refuse to eat.

With further progression of the process, especially if treatment measures are neglected, catarrhal manifestations are replaced by lacunar (plaque appears on the tonsils), follicular (formation purulent plugs and vesicles), necrotic (formation of foci of necrosis with plaque of varying shades).

Also, as the disease progresses, inflammation of the regional lymph nodes develops, and changes in the tissues of the tongue are observed. The surface of the tongue is covered with a whitish coating, and enlarged papillae of a bright pink hue are visible through it.

2 days after the onset of symptoms, the tongue becomes bright red,

this sign is also called “raspberry tongue.”

Skin rashes

Rash in a child appears a few hours after completion incubation period. Appears first ,

The brightest and most extensive rashes appear on the most delicate skin - inguinal, popliteal, axillary, elbow folds, skin on the neck and pubic area. The rashes are thickest in these areas. With scarlet fever, pinkish or bright red in color, finely spotted.

A hemorrhagic rash occurs less frequently, and is more often observed in the form of brown or purple dots. Hemorrhagic rashes often coalesce, forming streaks that persist even after the rash goes away.

Skin with rashes becomes dry and rough. The child's face is characterized by puffiness, red cheeks, cherry lips, and a pale nasolabial triangle.

Rashes on the face, body and limbs in some cases disappear after hours, but more often persist for several days. After the rash subsides skin peel off - on the body it is pityriasis-like, and on the limbs it is large-platelike.

The answer to the question whether scarlet fever itches or not is positive. Itching is characterized by moderate intensity.

Of course, scarlet fever most often develops in childhood, but this disease can also affect an adult. Scarlet fever in children, symptoms and treatment, prevention, photo pathology is extremely important, but even in adult patients a rather severe course of the disease is possible. Clinical symptoms are not expressed clearly because the immune system fights an infectious agent, and a person may not distinguish scarlet fever from the usual ARVI. In some cases, scarlet fever in adults has more severe symptoms, initial stage characterized by a severe course.

There are a number of clinical manifestations of the disease in adult patients:

• Mild form: slight hyperemia of the pharynx, which can be noted on photo of throat, pain, symptoms of intoxication. Appears pale rash, but not in all cases. Thus, the answer to the question whether scarlet fever occurs without a rash is affirmative.
• Severe form: fever, chills, increased heart rate. Symptoms of intoxication are characteristic: nausea and vomiting. appears in the first days of illness, simultaneously with pain and redness in the throat. reflects the severity of the severe form of the disease. As it progresses, complications are possible in the form of otitis media, abscesses in the pharyngeal area, hemorrhages in various internal organs. At a later time, rheumatism, myocarditis, and glomerulonephritis are possible.

Scarlet fever in adults also provokes dryness and flaking of the skin. Treatment of this disease will be discussed in more detail below.

Occurs quite often scarlet fever in children, symptoms and treatment, prevention, photo- This is something that the doctor should familiarize parents with. Therapeutic correction measures for scarlet fever will be prescribed by a specialist only after examining the patient. In severe cases, hospital treatment is possible, but usually scarlet fever is quite fast treated at home.

During treatment, it is important to observe the following measures:

1. Proper care for the patient. Bed rest and restriction of activity are necessary even after the first manifestations of the disease have subsided. The premises should be regularly ventilated and wet cleaned. It is necessary to change both bed and underwear in a timely manner, giving advantages to natural materials.
2. Diet correction. Assumes drinking plenty of fluids, you can give the patient tea, warm milk, compotes, fruit drinks, mineral water. If your appetite decreases, you should not insist on eating: such a reaction is a reflection of intoxication of the body. Gradually, soups, purees, porridges, and stewed vegetables can be introduced into the diet. All foods should be easily digestible and nutritious. Due to sore throat, it is recommended to serve food in semi-solid or liquid form to make it easier for the patient to swallow. Need to limit salty, spicy foods. Additionally, vitamin and mineral complexes can be administered.
3. Medication correction with antibiotics. It is impossible to cure scarlet fever without antibiotics, some others tablets or ways. Antibacterial therapy is a mandatory measure. Antibiotic drugs are prescribed by a doctor; during treatment, you must strictly adhere to his recommendations regarding dosage, frequency of administration and duration of course therapy. Amoxicillin-based drugs are most often prescribed ( Flemoxin-solutab, Amoxiclav, Ampisid and a number of others). It is possible to prescribe macrolides ( azithromycin, macropen, josamycin). Cephalosporin antibiotics are relatively rarely prescribed.
4. Antipyretics. For children under 12 years of age, medications such as Calpol, Panadol, Nurofen for children. Treatment is provided for patients of senior school age nimesulide, aspirin. The most effective use of antipyretic medications in the form of suppositories; after a period of intoxication, it is possible to give children syrups or tablets. You can bring down the temperature using other methods: drinking plenty of tea with raspberries, cranberry or currant juice, wiping.
5. Medicines for treating the throat. Local antiseptics are well suited for this purpose, but age restrictions must be taken into account before use. The most effective drugs: Hexoral, Ingalipt, Stop-angin, Tantum-verde, Kameton. Gargling is also helpful. herbal decoctions, furatsilin solution. It is possible to eliminate symptoms with the help of lozenges.

By the end of the first week of pathology, both children and adults are no longer contagious to others. But still, discharge is possible only 21 days after the start of the active phase of the disease. This duration of home regimen is explained by the high risk of complications for the body weakened after scarlet fever. If the child ends up in kindergarten earlier, then after contact with children, a secondary infection may occur and a significant deterioration in the baby’s condition.

No specific measures have been developed to prevent scarlet fever infection, that is, there are no vaccines for vaccination. To prevent infection, it is important to limit contact with patients who have a streptococcal infection. You should also strengthen your immune system, harden yourself, and take immunomodulators.

When treating and preventing scarlet fever, it is important to strictly follow the doctor’s prescriptions and recommendations, and comply with all prescriptions and dosages of medications. You should not self-medicate: this can aggravate the condition and provoke very serious complications that affect all body systems. The price for the health of both a child and an adult is very high, and you should not once again expose yourself to such a great risk.

We considered a disease such as scarlet fever in children. Symptoms and treatment, prevention, photos. Have you observed this? Leave your opinion or feedback for everyone on the forum.

Many diseases occur in mild, erased or severe form. Scarlet fever in children is no exception. The disease is considered infectious and has a high degree of contagiousness (contagiousness). It often takes a severe course, which is associated with a lack of immunity against the pathogen. The symptoms and treatment of scarlet fever in children are in many ways similar to other infectious diseases. Like any pathology, it has distinctive features which help to make a correct diagnosis.

Features of the source of infection

Scarlet fever is predominantly a childhood disease, which is an acute bacterial infection that occurs with damage to the oropharynx, a characteristic rash and signs of intoxication. The source is streptococcus, which is part of group A. The causative agent of scarlet fever easily enters the weakened body of a child from a sick person, a carrier, and from persons with an erased form of the disease.

Causes and risk factors

The main cause of the disease in newborns and older children is toxic streptococcus, which produces large quantities of toxic substances. They enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Toxins become dangerous for the baby. At an older age, other diseases appear when streptococcal infection multiplies - erysipelas, sore throat, pneumonia, rheumatism. The main predisposing factors to illness for children in kindergarten are:

1. Inflammatory processes of the tonsils or pharyngeal mucosa.
2. Diathesis and other skin pathologies.
3. Atopic allergy, which increases sensitivity to streptococcal infection.
4. Any condition manifested by immunodeficiency - AIDS, HIV, sudden change in climatic conditions.
5. Insufficient weight gain, poor feeding of the child, which does not provide his body with the substances necessary for the growing child’s body.
6. When symptoms of diabetes or endocrine pathology appear, the risk of contracting scarlet fever increases.
7. Adrenal gland dysfunction.
8. Instability of hormone production.
9. Frequent morbidity associated with viruses, bacteria, fungi.
10. Frequent or constant therapy of immunosuppressants - taking steroid hormones for severe allergic manifestations.
11. Pathology with a chronic course of the nasopharynx (pharyngitis, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis).

Each of these predisposing factors increases the risk of developing mild or severe scarlet fever. The disease is especially dangerous for children with the presence of several of them. Parents, knowing everything about scarlet fever, can preventive measures reduce the likelihood of becoming infected after contact with a sick person.

Pathways and mechanisms of transmission

How scarlet fever develops and how it is transmitted in infants and older children should be known to all parents. This is important for timely treatment and elimination of any contact with a sick person. Children can become infected with scarlet fever after prolonged contact with him. After this, patients are monitored and specific measures are taken to distinguish them from persons with signs of the disease.

Many adults are concerned about whether an adult can catch scarlet fever from a child. The disease is considered a childhood infection. Most often it is detected before the age of 10 years. Adults can get sick again if they suffered from this specific form of sore throat when they were children.

Those who have had contact with people with scarlet fever have a high risk of becoming infected with streptococcus. The clinical picture consists of the symptoms that the pathogen can cause. Most often, this is any streptococcal infection that occurs in adult patients.

After microorganisms enter the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which are the entrance gates, they multiply intensively. Scarlet fever occurs in patients with reduced immunity. It is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person in the following ways:

• contact;
• airborne.

At home, streptococcus can remain infectious on towels, dishes, and bed linen. Most often, during the period of contagion, it spreads by inhaling microparticles that enter the environment during coughing and sneezing.

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Symptoms

The incubation period of scarlet fever lasts from 2 days and can last up to 12 days. The sooner after contact with a sick person, the more severe the symptoms of the disease will be for those around you. During this period, no specific or non-specific clinic is observed. In rare cases, a doctor, after interviewing parents, reveals weakness in the baby, which does not disappear after rest, mood disturbances, bad dream and appetite. Such features are typical for persons with weakened immune systems.

First day of illness

Scarlet fever in a child differs from other childhood infections in its acute onset. On the first day, a high fever appears, but with erased forms the disease proceeds without fever. The mouth becomes dry and there is severe thirst. Nausea and, in rare cases, vomiting occur due to intoxication. Children are bothered by a cough, and when moving and at rest they complain of pain in all muscles.

When examining the oral cavity, there is bright redness, severe swelling, the uvula and tonsils become hyperemic. When examined, the tongue with scarlet fever is coated with a thick coating of gray or white color. There are several variants of the disease. When studying photos of a healthy and sore throat in a child, specific signs of scarlet fever are noted. IN initial stage The disease may appear in the following forms:

• catarrhal;
• lacunar;
• follicular;
• necrotic.

During swallowing, it becomes impossible to take liquid and solid food, which is associated with severe pain syndrome in the throat.

Features of skin manifestations

Recognizing the disease is facilitated by symptoms, in which the main symptom is a rash. Within a few hours it covers the entire surface of the patient's body. First of all, scarlet-like exanthema appears on the skin of the face. The most pronounced elements are on the cheeks. The main feature of childhood throat disease is considered to be a pale nasolabial triangle against the background of a bright red face. With slight physical or emotional stress, its cyanosis is noted.

Then the skin breaks out in rashes armpits, on the popliteal and elbow bends. Scarlet fever rash in children during sleep most affects areas with high pressure. The skin is hot to the touch, bright red in color, dry and rough to the touch. When pressing on the changed hyperemic areas, the nature of the rash changes. The area on which pressure is applied becomes pale and scarlet-like elements appear against its background. During palpation, the child notes discomfort, and in some cases pain occurs.

Second day of illness

The next day, with a sore throat, the skin of the entire body is completely covered with rashes. They spread to the palms and soles of the feet. Characteristic following symptoms scarlet fever in children during this period:

1. Severe itching in the area where the elements appear.
2. Cardiopalmus.
3. When examining the oral cavity, dead areas of the mucous membrane of the pharynx appear.
4. There is a white coating on the tonsils and uvula.
5. Headache.
6. On palpation, the child notes pain in the area of ​​the submandibular lymph nodes. They are increased in size and move freely when displaced.
7. The temperature remains at the same level.
8. Intense thirst.
9. Sore throat when swallowing.

The first signs of scarlet fever in children continue to persist. Parents are concerned about weakness, refusal to eat and disturbed sleep, which is associated with intoxication of the body with toxic substances of streptococcus.

Fourth day

By the end fourth day from the onset of the first signs of the disease, the rash gradually begins to fade. High fever, which did not give in well drug treatment, begins to gradually decrease. The plaque that was on the tonsils gradually disappears. The scarlet fever clinic begins to subside.

Pain and redness in the throat decrease. This allows parents to start feeding and drinking their child. At night, sleep becomes less restless. During this period, when examining the mouth, a bright crimson tongue is visible. The papillae enlarge over the entire surface. Due to this description, it is sometimes called strawberry.

Sixth day

Body temperature is not within normal limits, but high values ​​at this stage of the disease are no longer typical. The throat remains red, but pain Hardly ever. This creates conditions for the baby to be fully fed with pureed food. On days of illness, due to fluid loss and rapid metabolism, foods enriched with vitamins and microelements are needed.

The sixth day continues to be considered the contagious period for those around the child who are in contact with the child. If there are positive dynamics, you are allowed to get out of bed. In places where scarlet fever rashes were observed, slight peeling of the skin remains.

8-10 days of illness

When examining patients, the rash is almost invisible, but during palpation a change in the skin in these areas is noted. The following signs are observed:

1. The elements are preserved in the area of ​​the popliteal and elbow bends.
2. The temperature becomes normal.
3. Swelling in the tonsil area disappears.
4. There is no hyperemia in the pharynx.

The photo of scarlet fever in children clearly shows a tendency to subside inflammatory phenomena. Regardless of this, it is prohibited to walk outside with a child, which is associated with a high probability of infection of persons who are in contact with him.

Atypical form

Atypical scarlet fever poses a great danger to the sick person and others. Symptoms of the disease differ from the typical development in their short duration or absence. The following variants of scarlet fever are classified as atypical:

• hypertoxic;
• hemorrhagic;
• extrabuccal;

Often when receiving results laboratory diagnostics a subclinical course is observed. The pathogen is characterized by the same routes of transmission. Persons who have been in contact with him have a high risk of developing a typical variant of the disease with specific symptoms.

Diagnostics

It is most difficult to make a diagnosis with the erased form of scarlet fever. Listed above specific signs the child is not noted. The infectiousness of the patient with this option remains. With a typical course, diagnosing scarlet fever is not difficult. The most informative are:

• general blood analysis;
• bacteriological method;
• serology
• Ultrasound of the kidneys and heart;

The doctor, having received the test results, pays special attention to clinical analysis blood. Scarlet fever is characterized by changes in the form of signs of a bacterial infection. There is an increase in the number of leukocytes above the permissible level, an accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and a shift of the formula to the left.

To detect the pathogen, blood is drawn for bacteriological research. The analysis makes it possible to detect a specific antistreptolysin titer in the material, which is a marker for making a diagnosis. In laboratory research, serological testing not only of the patient’s blood is of important diagnostic value. Be sure to take a swab from the oropharynx and nasopharynx. During examination to clarify scarlet fever, beta-hemolytic streptococcus is detected.

Treatment

In most cases, uncomplicated cases are treated at home. Children with a severe form of the disease are sent to the hospital for treatment and prevention of possible consequences. In the first week or 10 days from the onset of the disease, strict bed rest is prescribed. Such patient management tactics are necessary for the prevention of scarlet fever.

The food of a sick baby should be enriched with the vitamins and microelements necessary for him. In childhood, the body experiences great needs for useful substances. Microelements are obtained with the correct prescription of diet therapy.

Drug therapy

Treatment of scarlet fever in children is carried out comprehensively. It includes non-drug and drug products. Knowing what scarlet fever looks like in children and what complications may arise, an individual treatment regimen is prescribed for each patient. It includes:

• antibiotics;
• antihistamines;
• local therapy.

After taking antibiotics, within the first 2 days the baby shows rapid positive dynamics and a reverse development of symptoms. Scarlet fever in children should be treated with the drugs “Suprax”, “Amoxiclav”, “Augmentin”, “Flemoxin”. Streptococcal infections are best sensitive to penicillin antibiotics. Products from other groups are used only if there has been an allergic reaction to them in the past. The drugs are administered twice a day or more depending on the severity of the condition and age.

Medicines are prescribed for a long course - about 10 days. In severe cases, they are used longer. Knowing how to treat scarlet fever, it is important to remember - if the antibiotic is not effective within 3 days, then it is replaced with injections from another group.

If positive dynamics appear in the baby’s condition or upon examination, an improvement is noted, therapy cannot be stopped. This can cause a relapse of the disease. Dr. Komarovsky advises administering medications at equal intervals. This feature of the treatment will allow you to maintain a constant concentration in the bloodstream.

For local therapy, antibiotics are applied to the inflammatory focus. Basics therapeutic effect will be localized in maximum concentration at the site of its administration. In pediatric practice, Bioparox is the most effective and safe. In some cases, homeopathy is used as an addition to the main therapy. Additionally, the following products are used for topical use:

• antiseptic solutions (potassium permanganate, furatsilin);
• chamomile decoction;
• soda solution;
• eucalyptus, calendula.

For prevention allergic reactions in response to the introduction of antibiotics, antihistamines are necessarily prescribed medicines. Children are allowed to give Suprastin, Tavegil, Erius.

Vaccination and quarantine

Any vaccination protects the body of a sick baby from infection. Angina of this form is not uncommon in childhood. For this reason, preventive measures are important. Currently, a vaccine against scarlet fever has not been developed. Nonspecific measures are recommended for children to protect against infection.

To protect their child, parents should know when vaccinations are given in accordance with national calendar. Vaccination against other types of infection allows you to develop immunity that will fight pathogenic bacteria and viruses. After contact with a sick child, a quarantine is imposed for 12 days. Lasting immunity is developed after illness. Many parents are interested in how many times they get scarlet fever during their life. The disease appears once during a lifetime, but in adults other pathologies that are provoked by streptococcus may appear.

During the quarantine process at school and in any other children's institution, the condition of children is monitored. The skin and oral cavity are examined, and body temperature is measured.

When is it allowed to bathe?

If a child is ill, it is not forbidden to wash himself. When bathing a child with scarlet fever, the water should not be hot. This will prevent irritation of sensitive skin throughout the entire period of the disease.

Complications

In the absence of timely treatment, children experience various complications after scarlet fever. Most often this is observed in the absence of antibiotic therapy. The possible consequences for boys and girls are:

• pneumonia;
• arthritis;
• glomerulonephritis;
• inflammation of regional lymph nodes.

In some cases, myocarditis is a complication in girls and boys.

Currently, cases of scarlet fever in childhood are not rare. For this reason, it is important to promptly recognize the disease and begin to treat the child. Delaying the use or absence of antibiotics in the regimen increases the risk of additional pathology.

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