Scarlet Fever Disease and Treatment
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Questions and Answers

What is the characteristic appearance of the tongue in scarlet fever?

Red and bumpy, often covered with a white coating early in the disease

What is the typical duration of the rash and redness in the face and tongue in scarlet fever?

About a week

What is the minimum temperature required to be considered a fever in scarlet fever?

101 F (38.3 C) or higher

What is the characteristic appearance of the throat in scarlet fever?

<p>Very sore and red, sometimes with white or yellowish patches</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some common complications of scarlet fever?

<p>Abscesses, swollen lymph nodes, ear infections, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and others</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to prevent scarlet fever?

<p>Standard precautions against infections</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the first-choice antibiotics for treating scarlet fever?

<p>Penicillin or amoxicillin</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for scarlet fever?

<p>Scarlatina</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical age range of people affected by scarlet fever?

<p>5 to 15 years of age</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the alternative treatment for scarlet fever in people who are allergic to penicillin?

<p>Other antibiotics</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the causative agent of scarlet fever?

<p>Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs) types A, B, and C produced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the other name for scarlet fever?

<p>Scarlatina</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the incubation period of scarlet fever?

<p>Two to four days</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of the rash in scarlet fever?

<p>Bright red, covering most of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the infection of scarlet fever spread?

<p>Via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the rash in scarlet fever?

<p>Looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the reddened skin when pressure is applied?

<p>It will turn pale</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the common symptom of Scarlet fever besides high fever?

<p>Sore throat</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long did the boy have a fever before being hospitalized?

<p>4 days</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the appearance of the face in scarlet fever?

<p>Flushed with a pale ring around the mouth</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of untreated scarlet fever?

<p>More-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys, and other parts of the body</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial diagnosis made by the family doctor?

<p>Acute tonsillitis</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the medication given to the patient by the family doctor?

<p>Acetaminophen</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of antibiotic treatments in scarlet fever?

<p>Made it less threatening</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the notable feature of the rash on the 4th day?

<p>Pin-point rash on the lower extremities and inguinal skin folds</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the patient's underlying medical condition?

<p>Down syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the patient's heart rate on admission?

<p>96 bpm</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the patient's blood pressure on admission?

<p>110/60 mmHg</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely diagnosis (Dx) based on the patient's symptoms?

<p>Scarlet fever</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the causative agent of Scarlet fever?

<p>Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scarlet Fever

  • Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat.
  • Features a bright red rash that covers most of the body, accompanied by a sore throat and a high fever.

Causes

  • Caused by streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs) types A, B, and C produced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS).
  • Found in secretions and discharge from the nose, ears, throat, and skin.
  • Spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • Incubation period is usually two to four days.

Risk Factors

  • Children 5 to 15 years of age are more likely to get scarlet fever.
  • Germs spread more easily among people in close contact, such as family members or classmates.

Symptoms

  • Red rash: looks like a sunburn, feels like sandpaper, and starts on the face or neck, spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs.
  • Red lines: folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees, and neck become deeper red.
  • Flushed face: face appears flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
  • Strawberry tongue: tongue looks red and bumpy, often covered with a white coating.
  • Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, often with chills.
  • Very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Enlarged glands in the neck (lymph nodes) that are tender to the touch.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Headache.

Complications

  • Rare but can occur if bacteria spread to other parts of the body.
  • Complications include:
    • Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils.
    • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
    • Ear, sinus, and skin infections.
    • Pneumonia (lung infection).
    • Rheumatic fever (a heart disease).
    • Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease).
    • Arthritis (joint inflammation).

Treatment and Prevention

  • No vaccine to prevent scarlet fever.
  • Best prevention strategies include standard precautions against infections.
  • Treatment with antibiotics can prevent most complications.
  • Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin.

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Description

Learn about the bacterial illness scarlet fever, its causative agent, clinical presentation, complications, and available treatments. This quiz covers the key aspects of scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina.

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