Transcript Scarlet Fever

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
o
Scarlatina is a streptococcal disease.
o
Gram-positive cocci that grow in chains.
o
Group A streptococci are normal inhabitants of the nasopharynx (pharynx).
o
Coccal-shaped bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, the pathogen that causes
scarlet fever, also known as group A. streptococci (GAS).
o
Group A streptococci can cause pharyngitis, skin infections (including
erysipelas pyoderma and cellulitis), pneumonia, bacteremia, and
lymphadenitis.
o
The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 7 days.
o
Patients are contagious during the acute illness and during the subclinical
phase.
o
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
o Transmission mostly occurs from person to person but can also
be from indirect contact.
o 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.
COMPLICATIONS
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:
• 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-feverleaflet
 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
 Zabawski Jr, 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