Scarlet fever

Specialties Disease

Published

Hi, I am a student nurse with a concern. I have a young niece (2 yrs) with serious medical issues (cerebal palsy, static encephalopathy, cortical visual impairment, myoclonic seizures, Mic-key etc etc). Anyway her Mom told me that she had taken her to church last week, and found out later another family attending had a child with Scarlet fever and BROUGHT THE CHILD TO CHURCH WITH THEM:eek: Anyway, my concern is this: how contagious exactly is scarlet fever? Second, if it is very contagious how might that affect a child like my niece (my guess is it could trigger seizures) Third, since I am the my nieces main babysitter besides Grandma.....how much am I at risk? (thank God I am not training in the hospital yet) I remember from having Micro that scarlet fever is basically strep throat gone wild, but does anybody here have anything specific to share on this? I still cannot believe the stupidity of some people taking their kids out with an illness like that........It is just unreal!!!

Laura

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

My oldest son gets scarlet fever every time he has strep. None of the rest of the family has ever gotten it from him, although he seems to get strep at least yearly. Anyway, I wouldn't be any more concerned about the child being exposed to scarlett fever than I would about her being exposed to strep....I wonder if possibly the child that had scarlett fever was already being treated for the infection. That could help lower the risks.

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The reason you get the rash from scarlet fever is the body's reaction to the toxins produced by the streptococcus bacteria. My children get the rash, too, every time they get strep throat. That's how I always know it is strep.

So, scarlet fever itself is not contagious. It is the bacteria you should be concerned about, and as the above poster said, if the child was on antibiotics for 24 hrs, then they wouldn't be contagious anymore. I know in my kids it usually takes them a couple of days for their skin to completely clear up.

Hope that helps! Just remember....WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

My dtr had severe scarlet fever with the scarlitina rash twice and developed heart complications. Nothing to play with that is for sure.

renerian

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by renerian

My dtr had severe scarlet fever with the scarlitina rase twice and developed heart complications. Nothing to play with that is for sure.

renerian

I have an aunt that happened to. She developed serious heart complications from her childhood bouts with scarlet fever, and had to drop out of school because of her heart, and learn at home. She just didn't have the strength to climb the stairs at school, and do the other physical activities the other children did.

Today, she is in her late seventies. Has always lived a sedentary life, but so far has outlived all 14 siblings EXCEPT my mom. They are the last two alive. Being sedentary didn't hurt her any at least. ;)

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I guess I was worried because of her seizure hx. I had an elderly aunt that had scarlet fever when she was young and developed a seizure disorder. It didnt hurt her though, she lived to be more than 90.

Laura

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

My father and I both got scarlet fever when I was a little girl, and he was far sicker than I was.........it really did a number on him, made him delirious etc. and he was flat on his back in bed for over a week. I don't remember being all that sick........I had strep throat at least twice a winter every year, and I was so used to it, all that really stands out about that time is I was upset when the rash broke out. Maybe it's more serious in adults, I don't know, but then again, I've seen very little of it in the past 40 years, as opposed to strep throat........my 21-year-old gets it every single winter, and I still come down with it once every few years, as do many people. :o

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I really think it is sad for you to call someone stupid for bringing their child to church. That is where haling comes from. Besides before throwing a hissy fit you should research the illnes. No scarlet fever is not contagious!!! If you are that concerned about catching illnesses I believe you're going into the wrong field.

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Originally posted by kaiseth

I really think it is sad for you to call someone stupid for bringing their child to church. That is where haling comes from. Besides before throwing a hissy fit you should research the illnes. No scarlet fever is not contagious!!! If you are that concerned about catching illnesses I believe you're going into the wrong field.

Hold up a minute, kaiseth! Her concern is for her niece, not herself. The OP posted in the proper forum for this question. READ the posts before you reply.

I notice this is your first post. Please refer to the TOS for this BB before you go off half cocked in the future. :stone

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