Definition
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
It is a contagious disease typical of the pediatric age; in fact, it mainly affects children aged 3 to 15 years. However, although rarely, the disease can also be contracted by adults.
Causes
As mentioned, scarlet fever is caused by a bacterial infection sustained by group A beta hemolytic streptococci, especially by Streptococcus pyogenes .
The infection occurs through the saliva or mucus of an infected patient, but also through commonly used objects (such as cutlery, clothes, glasses, etc.) above which the streptococcus is able to survive for a relatively long time.
Symptoms
Scarlet fever manifests itself with typical skin reactions; more in detail, it is revealed with the appearance of a point-and-mouth rash of scarlet red (hence the name of the disease), caused by the spread of bacterial toxins in the bloodstream.
Other typical symptoms of scarlet fever are fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and sore throat, resulting in difficulty swallowing. Moreover, in patients suffering from scarlet fever the tonsils and the tongue may become covered with a white patina. Subsequently, the tongue can become red and wrinkled due to the desquamation (this condition is called "red strawberry tongue").
Furthermore, scarlet fever can lead to serious complications such as rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, endocarditis, septicemia, encephalitis, osteomyelitis and meningitis. Fortunately, these complications are rather rare nowadays.
Information on Scarlattina - Medicines for the Treatment of Scarlet Fever does not intend to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Scarlattina - Medicines for Scarlet Fever Treatment.
drugs
Being a bacterial infection, the drugs used to treat scarlet fever are, of course, antibiotics to which streptococci are sensitive.
As far as prevention is concerned, no vaccines are currently available for the prophylaxis of this disease. Therefore, the only way to prevent the contraction of the infection is to avoid - as far as possible - contact with infected subjects.
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Antibiotics
Penicillins : penicillins are the first choice antibiotics used to treat scarlet fever. Among the active ingredients most used, we recall:
- Amoxicillin (Augmentin ®, Zimox ®, Amox ®, Clavulin ®, Velamox ®): the dose of medication usually used in children is 20-30 mg / kg of body weight per day. Generally, the treatment lasts 10 days. In any case, the exact drug dosage must be established by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's physiopathological conditions.
- Ampicillin (Amplital ®): generally, ampicillin is given to children as an oral suspension. The usual dose is 250-500 mg, to be taken orally every six hours. Notwithstanding that even in this case the exact dose of antibiotic must be established by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's condition.
Macrolides : macrolide antibiotics are usually used in scarlet fever therapy in those patients who are allergic to penicillins.
Among the various macrolides that can be used to treat scarlet fever, we recall:
- Erythromycin (Erythrocin ®): for the treatment of scarlet fever, usually erythromycin is administered orally. The dose usually used in children varies according to the patient's age and body weight and must be established by the doctor; therefore, it is essential to follow the instructions provided by it.
- Clarithromycin (Macladin ®, Klacid ®, Veclam ®): the dose of clarithromycin usually used in children from six months of age to twelve years of age is 7.5 mg / kg of body weight, to be administered orally twice a year day. Generally, the duration of treatment is 5-10 days. However, even in this case it is essential to follow the instructions provided by the doctor.
Cephalosporins : even cephalosporins, in some cases, can be used to treat scarlet fever. However, they are not drugs of first choice and it is therefore preferable to undertake therapies based on penicillins or - if treatment with these latter is not possible - based on macrolides.
Other medicines to treat scarlet fever
Paracetamol (Tachipirina ®, Efferalgan ®, Panadol ®): paracetamol is not actually used to treat scarlet fever, but is used as an antipyretic to reduce the fever that accompanies the disease.
The dose of paracetamol to be administered varies according to the body weight and the age of the child. The doctor will prescribe the most suitable pharmaceutical formulation for the patient and provide information on the amount of drug to be administered.
