How To Treat Scarlet Fever

Any child with a sore throat and a rash should be diagnosed by a physician as soon as possible. The doctor can do a throat swab and determine very quickly if the condition is caused by the streptococcus bacterium, which causes strep throat and scarlet fever. Even if the child has a very mild case, treatment will eliminate the chance the severe complications of scarlet fever will occur. These complications can be life-threatening. Rheumatic fever may develop, which affects the heart, and possibly the joints, brain, or skin. Kidney disease, ear infections, throat abscesses, arthritis, and pneumonia are also possible. It takes as little as one week for the rheumatic fever to set in after coming down with scarlet fever. Start getting familiar with the ways scarlet fever is treated now.

Take Oral Antibiotics

Scarlet fever was once considered a dangerous illness in children. Thanks to antibiotics, it is now much less threatening. The doctor will prescribe a course of penicillin or something similar. It should be taken exactly as prescribed until all the medicine is gone. Do not stop giving it when the child feels better, since the illness may return before the course is over. It is important to kill all the bacteria to prevent the complications.

Another reason to take oral antibiotics is because strep and scarlet fever are highly contagious. If an individual with strep throat coughs or sneezes, those nearby may inhale the bacteria in droplets. Someone starting the antibiotic regimen is not considered contagious after twenty-four hours. This means a child can return to school and an adult may return to work as soon as they have no fever and feel better. Fortunately, there have been no reports of this bacteria being resistant to antibiotics.

Reveal the next method of treating scarlet fever.