Scarlet Fever

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 2, 1 April 1922, Page 62

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is normally distinguished from most of the diseases which it resembles by the suddenness of its onset, A child eats a good breakfast, and goes to school m quite good spirits. Suddenly he feels sick — perhaps vomits, — suffers from headaches, is flushed and feverish, and has to return home. Presently, or from the first, he gets sore throat, and on examination his subrnaxillary glands are found to be enlarged. A rash appears, which may affect the whole body or may attack more particularly the chest, arms, ami legs. This rash is distinguished by containing, now plainly, now a little less distinctly, a number of round, minute, scarlet puncta. Tn a day or two, the tongue, which is at first coated, begins to peel, and soon takes on the raw (strawberry) look which is so characteristic, and which has the advantage of not fading rapidly, so that it is a valuable diagnostic feature for weeks.

While these symptoms are given as the unmistakable signs of scarlet fever, the medical officer writing as above to oiher medical practitioners says that cases may be slighter and much more indefinite, and sometimes a patient may show only malaise without any characteristic sign and yet may infect another member of the family with a well-marked attack.

The doctor writing emphasises the nwd \)f every member of the family being examined. It would not do to leave this precaution till peeling may have begun. Nurses may, of course, greatly aid doctors m this by carefully noting any slight symptoms m other members of a family m which they are nursing. Suggestions as to precautions to be taken are as follows: "The patient should be confined to one room, and strict instructions should be given that no other members of the family except the one acting as attendant shall be admitted until the patient is released from quarantine. The door of the room should be kept closed, and closed at once after the attendant goes m or out. There should be a wet sheet hung over the door of the room, preferably on the outside. A weak solution of carbolic acid or sanitas may be used to wei the sheet, which should be wider than the door. Water is equally effective, though perhaps less impressing. Before entering the room, the attendant should put on an overall, which should be hung m the passage outside the room ; or it may be hung between the sheet and the door. Quarantine should be strictly maintained for six weeks m most cases, and m no case less than live weeks." — From "The Medical. Officer/