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Scarlet Fever

In this infection, certain Streptococcus bacteria enter the body through the pharynx, or throat, and cause an attack of tonsillitis. Without antibiotic treatment, the bacteria multiply and produce a toxin, or poison, that circulates in the blood. After an incubation period of one to seven days, the amounts of toxin are sufficient to cause the symptoms of scarlet fever.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms do vary slightly from person to person. Here is a typical case of scarlet fever.

On day one the child develops a high fever ( as high as 104 degrees F, or 40 degrees C ), a red, sore throat and tonsils, and a furred tongue. Sometimes a whitish coating covers the tonsils and the child may vomit.

On day two a bright red ( scarlet ) rash appears on the child’s face, except for just around the mouth. By day three this rash, which may itch, has spread to cover the rest of the body and the arms and legs. Meanwhile the child’s temperature starts to fall and the tongue becomes bright, strawberry-red.

By day six the rash has faded. Both skin and tongue may begin to peel, leaving a red, raw surface underneath. Peeling can last another 10 to 14 days.

Scarlet fever now has become rare. The two main risks, both very rare and occurring about two to three weeks after the rash, are rheumatic fever and a form of glomerulonephritis.

Parents of the child should contact the physician if you suspect your child has scarlet fever. Follow the advice of the doctor and you can expect a full recovery with no after-effects.

V. a) Speak about 1) the symptoms of scarlet fever
2) the course of the disease.

b) Describe 1) how scarlet fever is transmitted 2) how eruptionappears and spreads

MEASLES

Measles is one of the most communicable and widespread diseases of childhood. All the parents must know that measles is a very grave disease which is dangerous for children especially the young ones.

The disease is spread by infected droplets from the nose and throat sneezed or coughed into the air.

There is an incubation period of 9—10 days. The first symptoms are fever, cough and sneezing. With the appearance of these symptoms the parents must put the child into bed and call the doctor in.

The disease is characterized by a rash which appears on the 4^th day,at first on the mucous membrane of the mouth, it is known as Filatov-Koplik's spots. These are tiny white spots on a bright red background. Then red maculopapular rash appears on the skin, at first behind the ears, then on the face, body and limbs. After the disappearance of the rash desquamation begins.

The patient begins to feel much worse. The cough and cold in the head become aggravated, the eyes get purulent. If the disease is not complicated, the patient recovers quickly.

Proper treatment and good nursing may prevent complications. The patient's room must be aired as often as possible, because fresh air prevents further infection, and it must be cleaned with a wet duster. The patient's bed must be placed so that the day light should not fall on his face, but the room must never be darkened because the sun rays kill bacteria.

It is necessary to keep the patient's mouth clean. For this purpose the patient should rinse his mouth after meals. Little children must drink boiled water instead of rinsing. If the child has no complications he must be bathed as usual. The temperature of the water must be about 36—37 °C. As the sick child has poor appetite he should take soft diet in small amounts 5—6 times a day. The patient's hands must often be washed and he must not be allowed to rub his eyes. It is good to wash his eyes out with tea (green tea is better) or an appropriate disinfecting solution several times a day. It is necessary to isolate the sick child from healthy children. When it is impossible for the child to have proper nursing at home, he should be taken to the hospital where there are proper conditions to aid his recovery.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 960