As of: February 17, 2024, 8:03 a.m
By: Laura Knops
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Scarlet fever occurs primarily in children and is considered particularly contagious.
Prompt treatment is therefore important.
The childhood disease scarlet fever is one of the most common bacterial infectious diseases.
The disease is caused by scarlet fever bacteria, so-called A streptococci, and initially manifests itself as a sore throat.
The symptoms are often accompanied by a skin rash.
How scarlet fever is transmitted – and what needs to be taken into account if patients have already been infected.
Children and young people are particularly affected by scarlet fever
Scarlet fever mainly affects younger children.
The disease often spreads unchecked in kindergartens and schools.
© Science Photo Library/Imago
According to the
Robert Koch Institute (RKI),
children are particularly affected by scarlet fever.
If an outbreak of scarlet fever occurs in kindergartens or schools, the disease usually spreads quickly.
But adults can also become infected.
Since, according to the
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK),
every fifth to tenth person carries scarlet fever pathogens in their body without becoming ill themselves, the bacteria can be passed on to others almost unnoticed.
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The pathogens are mainly located in the throat area.
They enter the air via droplets when speaking, coughing or sneezing.
If other people are nearby, the saliva droplets can stick to their mucous membranes.
In rare cases, transmission also occurs via contaminated objects such as cutlery or toys.
Unnoticed infection: Even people without symptoms can transmit scarlet fever
Typical first signs of scarlet fever are throat complaints such as a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
The palate and throat are usually red and the tonsils become inflamed.
In some patients, white deposits also form on the tonsils.
In addition, there is a sudden high fever, swollen lymph nodes and, in some patients, vomiting.
After one to two days, a reddish rash appears all over the body, which disappears after six to nine days.
The red tongue is also characteristic - a symptom also called “raspberry tongue”.
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There is usually one to three days between infection and the outbreak of the disease, as the
Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA)
informs.
However, scarlet fever can also be transmitted by people who carry the pathogen but do not become ill themselves.
If scarlet fever is suspected, community activities should be avoided.
Treatment of scarlet fever: Be sure to break the chain of infection
In most cases the disease is not dangerous.
It usually goes away after a while.
In rare cases, however, dangerous secondary diseases such as rheumatic fever, kidney diseases or neurological diseases can occur.
Purulent tonsillitis and middle ear infections can also occur.
Scarlet fever is treated with an antibiotic that must be taken over a period of ten days.
Patients are no longer considered contagious just 24 hours after taking it.
Quick treatment is therefore particularly important in order to break the chain of infection.
The symptoms of the disease also usually subside much more quickly with an antibiotic.
In order to minimize the risk of infection, the following rules of conduct should be observed:
If symptoms such as an elevated temperature or fever occur, patients should stay in bed and avoid contact with other people.
If a sore throat occurs with fever and a rash, this should always be checked by a doctor.
The mucous membranes are usually very irritated.
Cool, moist room air can have a calming effect.
Warm drinks and soft food such as porridge or soups can make swallowing difficulties more bearable.
To prevent the pathogens from spreading, sneeze and cough into a tissue or the crook of your arm.
Wash your hands thoroughly regularly.
Adhere to the prescribed duration of taking the antibiotic.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about medical conditions.