Scarlet Fever Is Back! Here’s All You Need to Know about the Warning Signs Of The Disease

9Risk factors 

If you delay treatment and if a patient has low immunity, there are other risk and complications where the disease could graduate to conditions like a severe skin infection, ear infection, rheumatic fever, kidney problems and pneumonia or arthritis. 

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10How scarlet fever is treated

The most common method of scarlet fever treatment is antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor. OTC medication like ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin may be prescribed to control the fever. Do not attempt to take or give these medications yourself to children as it requires special doses according to the age only to be determined by a doctor.

There are also home remedies to make the disease more comfortable which will also be recommended by a doctor such as drinking warm soup or eating ice cream. Saline gargles with warm water and salt also helps a lot. A dehumidifier in the room will also reduce the pain of sore throat. Children should be made to drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration. Electrolyte liquids could also be given after consulting with a doctor. 

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11There is no vaccine for scarlet fever so prevention is the key

At present there is no vaccine for scarlet fever. The only way to prevent the disease is hygeinc practices observed at home and quarantine of patients. Always wash your hands after you return from outdoors, before retiring to bed and before eating. When coughing or sneezing always use a handkerchief or cup your mouth. (Don’t try to stop a sneeze which can be fatal. read here)

And it is absolutely essential to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated and to meticulously wash your hands so that the bacteria won’t continue to spread. Cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing and make sure not to share any utensils or drinking glasses with others. 

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12Here’s how to manage symptoms and the condition to make it more bearable

• Drink warm soup

• Warm herbal teas like chamomile or ginger and lemon

• Soft foods and liquid diet

• Salt water gargle

• OTC medication for pain (consult with your doctor)

• Use Anti itch skin cream

• Drink plenty of water for hydration

• Suck throat lozenges for sore throat

• Avoid air pollutants and dust

• Use a humidifier

• A teaspoon of warm Honey with lemon will soothe the throat 

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