DOH WARNS THE PUBLIC AGAINST SCARLET FEVER

The Department of Health is reminding the public to make necessary healthy precautions against scarlet fever after Hong Kong declared an outbreak.

On the report of ABS-CBN News, Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the DOH's National Epidemiology Center, said scarlet fever is a childhood illness that usually affects children 10 years old and below. The symptoms are fever, sore throat, strawberry-colored tongue, and rashes.

As per Yahoo News, the doctors in Hong Kong are investigating the death of a 5-year-old boy believed to be the second person in Hong Kong to die from a mutated form of scarlet fever with higher resistence to antibiotics, authorities said Wednesday. The boy was taken to hospital with a fever and died Tuesday. Medical authorities were checking whether he had the same strain of scarlet fever as a 7-year-old girl who died of the disease in May. She became the first patient to die of the illness in at least 10 years, and researchers at Hong Kong University said she had a genetically mutated strain that is much more resistant to antibiotics.

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Scarlet fever is a disease caused by infection with the group A Streptococcus bacteria (the same bacteria that causes strep throat).

Causes

Scarlet fever was once a very serious childhood disease, but now is easily treatable. It is caused by the streptococcal bacteria, which produce a toxin that leads to the hallmark red rash of the illness.

The main risk factor is infection with the bacteria that causes strep throat. A history of strep throat or scarlet fever in the community, neighborhood, or school may increase the risk of infection.

Symptoms

The time between becoming infected and having symptoms is short, generally 1 - 2 days. The illness typically begins with a fever and sore throat.

The rash usually first appears on the neck and chest, then spreads over the body. It is described as "sandpapery" in feel. The texture of the rash is more important than the appearance in confirming the diagnosis. The rash can last for more than a week. As the rash fades, peeling (desquamation) may occur around the fingertips, toes, and groin area.

Other symptoms include:

Abdominal pain

Bright red color in the creases of the underarm and groin (Pastia's lines)

Chills

Fever

General discomfort (malaise)

Headache

Muscle aches

Sore throat

Swollen, red tongue (strawberry tongue)

Vomiting

Exams and Tests

Physical examination

Throat culture positive for group A strep

Rapid antigen detection (throat swab)

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that causes the throat infection. This is crucial to prevent rheumatic fever, a serious complication of strep throat and scarlet fever.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With proper antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of scarlet fever should get better quickly. However, the rash can last for up to 2 - 3 weeks before it fully goes away.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare with the right treatment, but can include:

Acute rheumatic fever

Bone or joint problems (osteomyelitis or arthritis)

Ear infection (otitis media)

Inflammation of a gland (adenitis) or abscess

Kidney damage (glomerulonephritis)

Liver damage (hepatitis)

Meningitis

Pneumonia

Sinusitis

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

You develop symptoms of scarlet fever

Your symptoms do not go away 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment

You develop new symptoms

Prevention

Bacteria are spread by direct contact with infected people, or by droplets exhaled by an infected person. Avoid contact with infected people.

Alternative Names

Scarlatina