CARE OF SCARLET FEVER PATIENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18393, 20 February 1928, Page 12

CARE OF SCARLET FEVER PATIENTS.

PREVENTABLE DISEASE IS MEDICAL VIEW. (Contributed by the Department of Health.) Scarlet fever, to which in its milder form the term “scarlatina” is often applied, is a highly infectious disease, the brunt of which, as in diphtheria, falls mostly upon young children. Of recent years its incidence has been comparatively low and its type mild, but formerly it was both more prevalent and more severe, causing many deaths. It is much more common in temperate climates than in the Tropics. Isolated cases are almost constantly present in every community and under certain conditions, only partially understood, scarlet fever becomes suddenly widespread and assumes epidemic proportions of varying severity. The disease is most common in children between two and ten years old, though infants and adults may be attacked. Susceptibility to the disease varies in individuals, even of the same family. Scarlet fever is in every sense of the word a preventable disease. It is opportune, therefore, for the Health Department to issue a brief statement which will aid parents both in recognising the disease and in taking the proper measures if they should have the misfortune to have one of their household stricken with it. How to Recognise Scarlet Fever. A child suddenly feels tired, restless and out of sorts. Usually there is a chill, vomiting, or convulsions. The child has high fevers His skin is very dry and hob His tongue is furred, and under this white covering it is red and swollen.. Frequently he complains of sore throat. In ordinary cases these early signs are followed in a day or two by a rash. Little red points, close together, appear first on the neck and chest, whence they soon spread over most of the body. The colour of the rash is distinctive and gives the name to the disease. Precautions to be Taken. If any of these signs are found, the child suspected to be suffering from, or sickening with, scarlet fever should be kept away from other people and a doctor should immediately be called. The following rules should be strictly observed:—(l) The child should be put in a room by itself. (2) A loose gown or kimono should be put on by the mother or other attendant when entering the sick room. This should be taken off when leaving. The hair should be covered by a cloth or cap. Hands and face should be washed with soap and water after caring for the patient. (3) All the saliva and discharges from patient’s mouth, nose and throat should be collected on pieces of old linen, cotton, gauze or paper. These should then be burnt, as they may spread the disease. (4) The patient must have his own dishes, spoons, knives and forks. These dishes must be sterilised by washing in boiling water. All clothing worn by him must be disinfected. Such articles must not be washed with things used by other members of the family. These precautions must be taken even in mild cases, as such cases can infect others, who may get the disease very severely. Children who have had scarlet fever must not return to school for at least six weeks, and then only on permission from the authorities. Children who are contacts of cases should remain at home until permission is given by health or other medical authorities tor them to go out. Even a mild attack of scarlet fever must be treated with the utmost care, as it is capable, especially if neglected, of doing insidious but possibly serious harm to its victim. Scarlet fever may leave the patient with a permanent heart disease or chronic ear trouble leading to permanent deafness. It is also responsible for much of the kidney disease of later life. It may be followed by inflammation of the joints or of the glands of the neck. Adequate care greatly lessens the probability of such complications.

How Scarlet Fever is Spread. The disease is more contagious while the fever is present, but the patient is still apt to spread the disease after the fever is gone, as he is then likely to go out if not restrained. It should be remembered that no matter how mild the symptoms, or how well such a person may feel, he is still dangerous to the neighbourhood and must be kept away from others for several weeks.

Neglect of mild cases and carelessness on the part of those recovering from the disease cause its spread. Such cases most frequently start epidemics, since they are not sick enough to be in bed, and unless restrained will visit and give the disease to many other children. They may look and feel perfectly well, but the condition of the throat membranes and skin makes them dangerous to others for at least four weeks, and often longer. We do not know the cause of scarlet fever, but we do know that it spreads from person to person by means of the discharges from the throat, nose, and ears, and possibly by scales from the skin.

It is believed that the disease can be spread by freshly contaminated clothing, playthings, books, magazines, bedding, towels, or any article or object upon which the contagion from the patient may have lodged, but the contagion is most frequently conveyed from one person to another by close contact. It is also frequently spread to others by persons who have been in contact with the patient.

Advice to Parents. Keep children as much as possible in the open air. They should avoid crowded places of entertainment. Keep them from association with all children who are convalescent- from illness or come from a house where there is illness until you are satisfied it is not infectious in character. See that children observe carefully simple rules of health such as regular cleansing of the teeth and washing of hands before meals. The following gargle for general use in the household during an epidemic is suggested: To one teacupful of warm water add half a teaspoonful of common salt, then add Condy’s fluid or crystals until the solution is a pale pink. Use three times daily. Remember that if an inmate of j’our home develops scarlet fever, it is not only your duty to see that adequate care is taken of the sufferer, but you owe it to the community to take every precaution that will minimise the risk of the infection spreading. You should therefore, obtain medical advice as soon as possible, and follow implicitly the instructions given you by the health authorities until you are formally notified that the household is clear of infection.