Scarlet Fever - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diet And Natural Remedies

Scarlet fever or scarlatina is an infection which develops in people suffering from strep throat. Scarlatina is caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, which is, in fact, the same group of bacterium that causes strep throat. A patient infected with Group A Streptococcus bacteria develops bright red rashes all over their body, which is caused by the poison or toxin that is produced by this bacterium. Patients also suffer from sore throat and high fever, when suffering from this disease. This illness generally affects children who are in between 5 and 15 years. Although it is a rare disease nowadays, in the past it used to be a common childhood illness.

The prevalence has decreased considerably after the discovery of antibiotics. However, the enigma lies in the fact that although scarlatina is a rare disease in the modern times, with the advent of antibiotic medicines, strep throat nevertheless remains a common disease among children, even today. The bacterium that causes scarlet fever, lives in the nasal cavity and mouth of the patient. So the infection easily spreads when someone infected with it sneezes or coughs. So, it passes on from one person to another, if someone drinks from the same glass or eats from the same plate used by the patient suffering from this malady.

The scarlet fever symptoms are as follows:

• There is a red rash on the skin which looks like sunburn and appears first on the neck or face and then from there start spreading to different parts of the body.
• Red lines also start to appear around the armpits, elbows, knees, neck, groin and the skin usually becomes of deep red colour which is surrounded by a rash.
• The face appears pale and there is a ring around the mouth thus making the face flushed out.
• The tongue becomes red and white coating covers the tongue in the early disease.
• The redness and rashes on the skin and tongue last for at least 1 week and when these marks are gone the skin rash starts to peel off.
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Sore and red throat
• Fever
• Enlarged glands

The main cause of scarlet fever S. pyogenes bacteria which is the same bacteria which causes strep throat. There is toxin released by bacteria which causes redness and rashes on the skin and tongue. This infection can spread from one person to another person through the droplets at the time of cough and cold. The incubation period is usually for two or three days.

Doctors generally first perform a physical exam on the patient to diagnose this ailment. During the physical examination, the doctor checks the condition of the child’s throat, tongue and observes the tonsil of the child. The physician can also check for enlarged lymph nodes and diagnose the appearance of the rash. If the doctor suspects any patient with this disease, a throat culture is usually advised, whereby the doctor swab the back of the child’s throat for collecting a sample for laboratory analysis. As it been mentioned earlier, scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics. Ingesting antibiotics helps the body’s immune system to fight off the bacterium that’s causing the infection as well as kill the bacteria which has infected the host’s body.

Antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor if child or baby has scarlet fever as this disease mostly attack children of age 5-15. The full course of medication should be completed by the child and if there is an elimination then the risk of infection increases and complications can also develop.

These are the best ways to prevent scarlet fever:

• Staying at home and not going to crowded places like school or in the playground.
• Washing hands frequently with soap or warm water helps in preventing scarlet fever.
• Utensils and food items must not be shared with anyone
• Mouth and nose must be covered at the time of sneezing and coughing and handkerchief must be used.
• Practising good hygiene keeps is the best way of preventing the disease.

Scarlet fever is a contagious disease as it is an airborne disease and can spread from one person to another. It spreads from the cough of an infected person. Scarlet fever is so contagious that it can happen to a person who stays in close contact with someone who is having the disease and can get throat or skin infection. The disease can also spread by using a contaminated towel, clothes, or bed linen.

A person stays infectious up to 7 days before the start of symptoms until 24 hours and if the person suffering from scarlet fever does not take any medicine then he/she can be infectious for 2-3 weeks.

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics. Penicillin and amoxicillin are the most recommended antibiotic options in case the patient is not allergic to penicillin. Other antibiotics may also be prescribed by the doctors when the patient is allergic to the penicillin group of drugs.

The infection gets easily controlled by this treatment method, but there are certain side effects associated with it. The most commonly experienced side effects are:

• Watery stools or diarrhea
• Feeling of nausea
• Frequent vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Bad or metallic mouth taste

Scarlet fever is a common childhood illness that usually is not associated with urgent symptoms. It is easily treatable under medical supervision. An antibiotic course for 10 days is prescribed by the doctor which is sufficient to cure the condition.

However, in some cases, there is a need for urgent care. This happens when a sudden outbreak occurs which is accompanied by the presence of rashes on the body along with fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

It usually takes a time period of about 7 days to recover from Scarlet fever when the symptoms are mild. Such cases do not require treatment as symptoms resolve themselves. However, in moderate to severe cases, treatment is needed which includes a full course of oral antibiotics for 10 days.

The fever subsides within 24 hours of starting the medication. The body rashes usually fade in about 7 days.

Summary: The recovery time for a Scarlet fever depends upon the severity of symptoms. Mild cases recover in 7 days while moderate to severe cases take about 10 days to get resolved.

The treatment methods of Scarlet fever mainly include a full course of antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Thus, the cost of treatment of this disease is the net expense related to the purchase of antibiotics along with the consultation fee of the doctor or physician. It is quite affordable for everyone.

Summary: The cost of treatment of Scarlet disease includes a total sum of the consultation fee of the doctor or physician along with the antibiotic-related expenses. It is quite affordable.

There are no specific physical exercises recommended for people suffering from Scarlet fever. The condition is accompanied by the development of rashes on the body which causes physical discomfort to the affected individual. Hence, it is not preferred to do exercises that involve more movement of the body parts.

Basic and mild forms of exercises including brisk walking, yoga, stretching, etc. can be preferred as these are beneficial for health. These improve overall blood circulation in the body and promote a faster recovery.

Summary: Exercises are always beneficial for health as they improve blood circulation throughout the body and promote faster recovery. Only basic and mild exercises are preferred in such conditions.

The best medicine for Scarlet fever includes penicillin-group of antibiotics such as Penicillin and Amoxicillin. These are the best-recommended medicines that a doctor prescribes to the patient suffering from Scarlet fever.

However, in case a person is allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics may be prescribed. A 10 days full course of the medicine is necessary, otherwise, recurrence of the symptoms may occur.

Summary: Oral antibiotics are the best-recommended choices in case of Scarlet fever. Out of these, penicillin-group antibiotics are mostly preferred. In case anyone is allergic to penicillin, other options are also there.

When the symptoms associated with Scarlet fever are moderate to severe, it requires treatment under the supervision of a doctor. The treatment is done with the help of antibiotics.

A full 10-days course of the antibiotics is important for better results otherwise recurrence may occur. Symptoms resolve completely, thus results are permanent with this treatment method.

Summary: The results are permanent when Scarlet fever is treated with the help of antibiotics. A full antibiotic course is the recommended treatment in such conditions which is followed by complete recovery.

Treatment in the case of Scarlet fever is done by antibiotics. The alternatives to this treatment may involve home remedies and certain lifestyle modifications. Some of them which are preferred include:

• Use of over-the-counter medicines: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. are the common NSAIDs preferred against fever and pain.
• Consumption of adequate fluids: This is important to prevent dehydration.
• Gargling with salt water: This effectively relieves throat pain.
• Consumption of easy-to-swallow foods: These foods such as soups, ice pop, etc. can soothe sore throat symptoms.
• Avoiding irritants: Surroundings should be kept clean and free from irritants like cigarette smoke, cleaning products, etc.

Summary: Alternatives to the treatment mainly include certain lifestyle modifications and home remedies. Use of over-the-counter medicines, intake of adequate fluids, consuming easy-to-swallow foods, etc. are some of the preferred ways to manage Scarlet fever.

Post-treatment guidelines of Scarlet fever involve preventive measures which are to be taken against recurrence of the related symptoms. Such important preventive measures include:

• Intake of adequate fluids: This is important to maintain proper body hydration.
• Use of air-humidifier: Use of a cool-mist humidifier should be preferred for eliminating the dry air from surroundings. This is needed to prevent sore throat-like conditions.
• Avoiding irritants: One should keep his/her surroundings clean and free of irritants like cigarette smoke, cleaning products, etc. This is needed to prevent throat irritation.
• Medical check-ups and follow-up: One should not ignore this as it is important to keep an eye on the recurrence of symptoms.

Summary: Post-treatment guidelines of Scarlet fever mainly include important preventive measures so as to prevent recurrence of the related symptoms. Use of air-humidifiers, consumption of adequate fluids, and avoiding irritants are some of them.

These are the natural remedies to cure scarlet fever:

• Gargling with pink Himalayan salt: this helps in reducing inflammation and gives relief in pain as saltwater washes out toxins.
• Tea tree oil: It helps to soothe the rashes as tea tree oil helps in smoothing the area which has been affected with scarlet fever.
• Coconut oil: It helps in improving the immune system treats inflammation, also helps in fighting down the bacteria, fungi and viruses.
• Manuka honey: this is rich in vitamin B, amino acids and essential minerals, thus, helps in the healing of eczema, helps in the stoppage of growth of strep bacteria. If there are rashes on skin then manuka honey can be directly applied to the skin as it provides relief to the skin.
• Vitamin C: It helps in boosting up of immunity, also fight viral conditions, therefore it must be eaten as it is good during scarlet fever.
• Dehydration: Children affect with scarlet fever, must drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration.