• What is Scarlet Fever 
• Symptoms of Scarlet Fever
• How is scarlet fever treated?

What is Scarlet Fever 

Scarlet fever is a bacterial exanthematous disease caused by the presence of group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, a bacterium that can also cause skin and throat infections .

It is an acute infectious disease , which particularly affects a young age group, between 5 and 15 years . It can rarely involve adults or children under 3 years of age.

The contagion can occur both directly , through droplets of saliva emitted into the air by a cough or sneeze of the infected person, and indirectly by coming into contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. 

Incubation times can vary from 1 to 7 days. Diagnosis is made through a throat swab which identifies the causative bacterium . In case of positivity, the subject must remain in isolation to avoid infecting school friends; parents too must adopt appropriate precautionary measures. The course of the disease usually ends in 7-10 days .

Unlike other exanthematous diseases, you can get sick with scarlet fever several times , because there are more differentiated strains of the triggering bacterium. Consequently, even a vaccine cannot be counted on .

Symptoms of Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever manifests itself with a characteristic rash, characterized by slightly raised red dots close together . The latter first appear on  the neck, armpits and groin , and then spread to the rest of the body after about 24 hours. They do not cause itching . In the following days the redness subsides and the skin rash gives way to a progressive desquamation .

The tongue is initially covered with a white patina (we speak of “strawberry tongue”) which after a few days peels off and takes on a red and wrinkled color (“raspberry tongue”). Symptoms common to other diseases may appear, such as fever , nausea , vomiting , abdominal pain , headache . 

Scarlet fever behaves the same on both children and adults , with no higher complications. Even when pregnant it does not pose any danger to the unborn child, unlike other exanthematous diseases.

There is also a mild form of scarlet fever, with limited skin rash and milder symptoms, sometimes without fever: it is referred to as scarlet fever or fourth disease . 

How is scarlet fever treated?

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection and must be approached with the correct appropriate measures, indicated by the doctor . These are usually antibiotics . 

It is also possible to associate some natural remedies with the pharmacological therapy capable of alleviating the symptoms and protecting the organism:

> probiotics : they help preserve and defend the intestinal bacterial flora from taking antibiotics. In this way it is possible to stem the onset of diarrhea , intestinal spasms and fatigue ;

> calendula ointment : calendula has emollient, soothing, restorative, restorative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It can be applied on the areas affected by rash to moisturize the skin ;

> elderberry : elderberry in a herbal tea cut helps to quell feverish states . It also has a calming, anti-inflammatory, emollient action and  alleviates various skin problems , such as dermatosis and skin rashes. It is also useful in those cases in which scarlet fever triggers episodes of tachycardia , because it acts as an “antifibrillant”. 

It is important to hydrate by drinking lots of water and to rest , to slow down the bacterial process and leave the antibiotic field of action. Some good hygiene practices help control the infection, such as washing your hands often, keeping your mouth and nose covered (perhaps with masks) and not sharing personal items, such as plates, cutlery and glasses.