How is Scarlet Fever treated?
Since scarlet fever is caused by bacteria, antibiotic treatment will be prescribed. It helps to reduce the symptoms, shorten the duration of the illness, and prevent contagion and possible complications.
It is important to follow the antibiotic treatment for the whole prescribed period (usually about 10 days), even if the symptoms have disappeared. 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment, the infected person is no longer contagious.
Other measures can help relieve symptoms. Here are some examples:
- Drink plenty of fluids, water, juice, soup to avoid dehydration. Avoid acidic juices (orange, lemon, grape), which make the sore throat worse;
- Eat soft foods to reduce sore throat;
- Rest and choose peaceful activities;
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and pain;
- Avoid aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or any product containing it when treating children and teenagers;
- Keep the air moist, as cold air can irritate the throat. Use a humidifier if possible;
- Keep the air clean, avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke.
Prevention
Since there is no vaccine, the only way to prevent the disease is to practice social distancing, especially by moving more than one meter away from the patient to avoid any projection of saliva drops. A person suffering from scarlet fever should stay at home to rest and avoid transmitting the disease, which is known to be highly contagious.
Here are some good tips:
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly, with soap or hydro-alcoholic solution before and after each contact with the sick person;
- Avoid letting your sick child get too close to people who are not sick;
- Give your child single-use tissues to blow their nose and throw them away after use;
- When your child sneezes or coughs, teach them to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or with their sleeve (at the bend of the elbow);
- Cut your child’s nails often to keep them clean;
- Avoid kissing your sick child and discourage siblings from doing so;
- In case of pregnancy, stay away from any child with infectious signs or a suspicious rash;
- Do not share everyday objects (glasses, cutlery, etc);
- Regularly clean objects (toys, telephone, computer keyboard) used by the patient;
- Do not expose them to tobacco smoke as this promotes all ENT (ear, nose and throat) infections (scarlet fever, but also ear infections, nasopharyngitis);
- Let fresh air in at least once a day;
- Keep the temperature of the rooms between 64°F and 68°F (18°C and 20°C) to avoid an atmosphere that is too hot and too dry.
