Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Recognizing a strep throat
• Method 2 of 3: Recognize the development of scarlet fever
• Method 3 of 3: Know what the risk factors are

Scarlet fever is a disease caused by the toxins produced by group A streptococci. These bacteria usually cause strep throat. In about 10% of cases, the streptococcal infection develops into scarlet fever. Untreated scarlet fever can cause lifelong medical ailments. If you start showing signs of scarlet fever, you should see a doctor right away to get antibiotics.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Recognizing a strep throat

1. Notice a sore throat. A sore throat is not always caused by a strep throat, but a sore throat is the most common symptom of a strep throat. Look for a sore throat and difficulty or pain when swallowing. You can often tell from the tonsils at the back of your child's throat if your child has a strep throat. The tonsils may turn red and swell. It may also have white patches or pus may flow out.
2. Watch for general complaints that indicate that your child is ill. Streptococcal infection is known to cause fatigue, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache and fever. The infection can also cause swollen lymph nodes. These are large protruding bumps on the neck.
   • Normally you shouldn't be able to feel your lymph nodes. If they are so swollen that you can feel them, chances are you have an infection. They can also be sensitive and reddish in color.
3. If the sore throat persists for more than 48 hours, see a doctor. Be just as careful if your child's sore throat is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes or a fever higher than 38 ° C.

Method 2 of 3: Recognize the development of scarlet fever

1. Watch for a rising body temperature. If a strep infection progresses to scarlet fever, your child's body temperature will often rise. Scarlet fever usually has a body temperature of 38 ° C or higher. Sometimes your child will also suffer from chills in addition to a fever.
2. Watch for impetigo (impetigo). Sometimes scarlet fever can be accompanied by a skin infection caused by strep called impetigo, rather than a sore throat. Impetigo causes redness, bumps, blisters, or pus in the skin. Usually these symptoms occur on the child's face, around the mouth and nose.
3. Look for a red rash. A red rash is the characteristic feature that the streptococcal infection has developed into scarlet fever. The rash looks like a sunburn and feels rough like sandpaper. If you put pressure on the skin, the skin may become paler for a short time.
   • The rash usually develops on the face, neck and chest (usually on the neck and chest) and then spreads to the abdomen and back, and sometimes to the arms or legs.
   • Streaks may appear along the skin folds in your child's groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck that are even deeper in color than the rest of the rash.
   • Children with scarlet fever often have a circle of pale skin around the lips.
4. Notice a strawberry tongue. A strawberry tongue is caused by the taste buds swelling. The taste buds will first be covered with a white layer. After a few days, the tongue will usually turn red and bumps will form on it.
5. Look for flaky skin. When the red rash starts to fade, your child's skin can flake, just like a sunburn. Beware, because that does not mean the disease is cured. You still need to seek medical attention.
6. See a doctor immediately. You should see a doctor with your child if he or she develops red skin and also has a fever and / or a sore throat. Scarlet fever is easy to treat with antibiotics, but if left untreated, various complications can arise.
   • Untreated scarlet fever can cause liver disease, skin infections, ear infections, abscesses in the throat, pneumonia, arthritis, heart problems and nervous system problems (rheumatism).

Method 3 of 3: Know what the risk factors are

1. Be careful with children. Especially children between the ages of 5 and 12 suffer from scarlet fever. If a child in that age group develops symptoms of scarlet fever, you need to be especially careful and see a doctor with the child as soon as possible.
2. Be careful if your child has a weakened immune system. If your child already has an infection or other illness affecting his or her immune system, your child will be susceptible to bacterial infections such as scarlet fever.
3. Be careful in a busy environment. The bacteria that cause scarlet fever live in the nose and throat and can be infected through contact with fluids that spread when a person coughs and sneezes. If you or your child touches something that someone has coughed or sneezed on, you are susceptible to getting the disease that causes scarlet fever. Chances are that this will happen in an environment where many people are.
   • Because young children are the most susceptible to this disease, scarlet fever is very often caught in school.
4. Make sure to take precautions to avoid spreading the infection. Your child should wash his or her hands regularly and not share cutlery, linens, towels and other personal items with others. Someone can still be contagious even after the symptoms have already gone.
   • Patients diagnosed with scarlet fever should stay home for at least 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics.