Definition:
Scarlatina or scarlet fever covers the body with rashes, turns the tough into a strawberry-like appearance, and results in high fever.
Diagnosis:
The doctor examines the child's sore throat and other symptoms to determine whether strep is the caused for the illness. The doctor takes a sample from the back of the throat to test whether it is harboring strep bacteria. This enables the doctor to determine the if the illness is caused by the strep bacteria. Otherwise, the doctor orders other laboratory tests such as a throat culture, rapid antigen test, and rapid DNA test.
Treatment:
Doctors usually prescribe antibiotic medications such as penicillin, which may be taken orally or through injection; amoxicillin; azithromycin; clarithromycin; clindamycin; and a cephalosporin. The prescribed medications must be followed diligently in order to completely eradicate the condition and avoid developing post-strep disorders.
Symptoms and Signs:
Children with scarlet fever, experience a red rashes, red lines in skin folds, strawberry-like red and bumpy appearance of the tongue, and fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which is often accompanied with chills. Patients usually have sore throats, enlarged lymph nodes, and fever during the early stages of scarlatina.
Causes:
The condition is usually caused by the bacterial infection known as strep throat, which is spread from person to person through mouth and nose fluids. The bacteria infects individuals through the air or things touched by an infected person. It also contaminates food. Rare cases are caused by other strains of Streptococcus pyogenes resulting from a skin infection or a uterine infection contracted during childbirth.
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