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Scarlet Fever. Laura Guzman & Daniela Hernandez. What is Scarlet Fever? Etiology Epidemiology Mode of transmission Clinical Manifestations Diagnostic Treatment Prevention Bibliography. What is Scarlet Fever?.
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Scarlet Fever Laura Guzman & Daniela Hernandez
What is Scarlet Fever? Etiology Epidemiology Mode of transmission Clinical Manifestations Diagnostic Treatment Prevention Bibliography
What is Scarlet Fever? • Scarlet Fever is an upper respiratory infection caused by a group A streptococcus bacteria. • This bacteria makes a toxin that can cause a red rash, hence the name “scarlet” fever. • Scarlatina is due to a throat infection caused by a bacterium (germ) called streptococcus. • There are various strains (types) of streptococcus. • They cause different infections and a strain called group A streptococcus causes scarlet fever. • The fever rash occurs when the streptococcal bacteria release poisons toxins that make the skin go red. • Most common in children aged 3-15 years, the most common age being 4 years. It more frequently occurs in the late winter or in early spring.
Etiology • Scarlatina is a streptococcal disease. • Gram-positive cocci that grow in chains. • Group A streptococci are normal inhabitants of the nasopharynx (pharynx). • Coccal-shaped bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, the pathogen that causes scarlet fever,also known as group A. streptococci (GAS). • Group A streptococci can cause pharyngitis, skin infections (including erysipelas pyoderma and cellulitis), pneumonia, bacteremia, and lymphadenitis. • The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 7 days. • Patients are contagious during the acute illness and during the subclinical phase. • Person-to-person spread by means of respiratory droplets is the most common mode of transmission.
Epidemiology • As many as 10% of the population contracts group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Of this group, as many as 10% then develop scarlet fever. • The infection rate increases in overcrowded places. • Immunity, which is type specific, may be induced by a carrier state or overt infection. • Predominantly occurs in children aged 5-15 years, though it can also occur in older children and adults. • By the time children are 10 years old, 80% have developed lifelong protective antibodies against streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins. • Scarlatina is rare in children younger than 2 years because of the presence of maternal antiexotoxin antibodies and lack of prior sensitization. • February 2014: a total of 868 notifications of scarlet fever with onset dates during weeks 5 to 8 of 2014 were made to Public Health England (PHE) compared to an average of 444 for the same period over the past four years. • Ever since 1990, these are the highest notification totals for this time of year.
Mode of transmission • Transmission mostly occurs from person to person but can also be from indirect contact. • You can get scarlet fever through direct contact with mucus from the throat, fluid from the nose, or saliva of an infected person
Clinical Manifestations • Its emergence tends to be quite harsh, usually heralded by sudden onset of fever associated with sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, myalgias, and malaise. • Signs of Scarlatina can be Tachycardia and/or Lymphadenopathy • The characteristic rash appears 12-48 hours after onset of fever, first on the neck and then extending to the trunk and extremities. • The patient may have tachycardia. Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy may be present.
Most cases of scarlet fever have no complications at all. However, in the early stages, there is a small risk that you might get one of the following: COMPLICATIONS Meningitis Throat abscess Acute rheumatic fever Pneumonia Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
Diagnostic • Physical examination • Throat culture positive for Group A Strep • Rapid Antigen Detection (Throat swab)
Treatment • There is no vaccine, but the disease is effectively treated with antibiotics. • Treatment is to speed recovery and to prevent possible complications. • Antibiotics:A 10-day course of penicillin is usually advised. Other antibiotics are advised if you are allergic to penicillin. • It is important to finish the course of antibiotics: • This makes sure all the bacteria are killed and reduces the chance of complications.
Prevention • If your child has Scarlet Fever, do not let him go to school and keep them away from other people until they have been on a course of antibiotics • Avoid sharing utensils, cups and glasses, coletes, baths, bed linen or towels. • All tissues should be disposed immediately • Wash hands frequently to avoid contracting or acquiring Scarlatina
Bibliography • Vorvick, L. J. (Ed.). (2012, May 15). Scarlet Fever. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from The New York Times website: http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ scarlet-fever/overview.html • Kenny, T., Dr. (2013, May 31). Scarlet Fever. Retrieved May 1, 2014, from Patient website: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/scarlet-fever-leaflet • Scarlet Fever. (2013, March 28). Retrieved May 1, 2014, from NHS Choice website: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Scarlet-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx • Klein, MD, J. (2012, July). Scarlet Fever. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/scarlet_fever.html • ZabawskiJr, DO, E. J., & James, MD, W. D. (2014, April 30). Emedicine - Scarlet Fever. Retrieved April 30, 2014, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1053253-overview#a0156