Scarlet fever, a legal infectious disease that was thought to have virtually disappeared, has spread terrifyingly in recent years. Scarlet fever was designated as a class 2 notifiable infectious disease in 1954, and was prevalent in Korea in the 1980s and 1990s. Since the 1990s, it has been considered an epidemic that has disappeared in history, with around 100 cases reported annually, but the number of patients has been increasing recently.
Scarlet fever mainly affects children under the age of 10ㅣSource: Getty Image Bank
It is easy to mistake scarlet fever for a cold
Scarlet fever is an acute febrile illness that is prevalent in late winter and early spring and mainly affects children under the age of 10. The cause of scarlet fever is ‘Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus’, and it is caused by febrile exotoxins of streptococci introduced into the body. It is a highly contagious disease that is mainly transmitted through saliva droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but is also spread through indirect contact through the hands or objects of carriers. You can also become infected through food that has been exposed to the germ.
The incubation period is 1 to 7 days after bacterial infection. Representative symptoms include acute fever, vomiting, and sore throat, and in the early stages of onset, they are similar to those of a cold, making them easy to mistake. However, once the symptoms of scarlet fever appear, the fever soars to 39-40°C and lasts for 5-7 days. In addition, symptoms such as severe swelling in the throat and bleeding spots on the uvula appear.
After 12 to 48 hours, a bright red rash of the size of small millet begins to spread throughout the body, and when the lesion is pressed, it disappears for a while and then reappears. However, it does not invade the face significantly. The rash disappears within 3 to 7 days, and from 7 to 10 days after the appearance of the rash, exfoliation occurs, a phenomenon in which the skin peels off around the armpits, buttocks, and tips of the hands and feet. Strawberry tongue, which is swollen and red like a strawberry, is one of the hallmarks of scarlet fever. Scarlet fever usually recovers without problems, but sometimes leads to severe complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, acute glomerulonephritis, and rheumatism.
Prevention is best through strict hygiene management
Since there is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever, the best way to prevent scarlet fever is through good personal hygiene. If a child shows symptoms of scarlet fever, she should be taken to a medical institution immediately for treatment. It is best to seek treatment within 24 to 48 hours of onset. Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics for about 10 days, but if the diagnosis is delayed or antibiotics are stopped in the middle, it can lead to serious complications. In addition, even after starting treatment, the germs remain alive for 24 hours, so you must isolate them.
The following are scarlet fever prevention and management guidelines announced by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
1. Proper hand washing
-Wash your hands in running water for at least 30 seconds using soap or detergent
-Be sure to wash your hands after going out, before eating, and after going to the toilet
2. Cough etiquette
– Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or tissue when coughing or sneezing
-Wear a mask when you have fever and respiratory symptoms
3. Cleaning, Disinfection
– Frequent cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces such as furniture, toys, handles, and faucets
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