Scarlet fever, from which every fourth patient died 100 years ago, is making a historic comeback. Although today, thanks to the availability of antibiotics, it is no longer so dangerous, the number of cases has increased in recent years increased dramaticallyand complications after suffering from this disease can still be dangerous.
Attacks mainly preschool childrenis a bacterial disease caused by group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes).
Huge jump in disease incidence. The pandemic weakened immunity
According to data from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, from the beginning of January to the end of March this year almost 23.5 thousand cases illnesses.
In the same period last year it was just over 13 thousand cases, and between January and March 2022 – only 1434 diagnosed diseases. Within two years we achieved success in Poland as much as a 15-fold increase in disease incidence.
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– We have the so-called alignment after the Covid period, when of course there were fewer interpersonal contacts, some diseases were in retreat – explains Szymon Cienki, press spokesman for the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, to Polsat News.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has isolated many people at home, weakened population immunity on diseases and bacteria.
Doctors warn. “A toxic strain has spread”
– From a medical point of view, it is a dangerous disease – argues Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski. – There is a strain of bacteria that is more toxic than average, that’s it the so-called British strain – adds an expert on epidemic threats Supreme Medical Council.
The complications that scarlet fever can cause – kidney and heart diseases – are also dangerous.
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– We constantly hospitalize patients with complications of streptococcal infections – says Dr. Lidia Stopyra, specialist in infectious diseases from the Specialist Hospital. Stefan Żeromski in Krakow. – Let’s not underestimate any situation when a small child becomes ill with high fever – he adds.
Complications after scarlet fever include: kidney and heart diseases, permanent damage to the immune system.
Adults can also get sick – then the symptoms are similar anthrax
Scarlet fever – symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of scarlet fever include: sore throat, fever, headachesswollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash on the skin. It usually appears on the chest and spreads throughout the body except the palms and soles of the feet. The patient’s cheeks appear red, but the skin around the mouth and nose remains pale and forms the so-called Filatov triangle.
It is from the dark red, scarlet rash the disease is called scarlet fever. Once it wears off, the skin may start to peel.
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Parents who suspect scarlet fever in their children should pay attention to the language. At the beginning of the disease, it is covered with a white or yellowish coating, later the tongue becomes red with clearly visible lingual papillae – it resembles a crust. strawberries or raspberries.
Scarlatina spreads by droplets, also by touching an object with the patient’s secretions on it. It spreads most rapidly in places such as kindergartens and schools.
There is no vaccine for this bacterial disease – it is treated with antibiotics, treatment usually lasts about 10 days.
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