Is Scarlet Fever Contagious?
Do we know if scarlet fever is contagious? Scarlet fever, as it is also known, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterial species Streptococcus pyogenes . According to scientific studies, of the 74 species that make up the genus Streptococcus, the named microorganism is one of the most virulent for humans.
This bacterium causes both suppurative and non-suppurative pathologies in our species, such as pharyngitis, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis and rheumatic fever, among many others. This is why targeting this pathogen from a clinical point of view is essential. Here we tell you everything you need to know about scarlet fever and its contagion capacity.
About the distribution of scarlet fever
According to epidemiological publications, scarlet fever is a disease that mainly affects children. Here are some data that put the global situation of this disease into perspective:
- Asymptomatic Streptococcus pyogenes infections are present in 3% to 26% of healthy children in any given population.
- Among infants with sore throats, up to 58% of them may have the bacteria.
- S. pyogenes is the streptococcus species most associated with outbreaks. It is common for these to happen from contaminated food.
- An increase in outbreaks of scarlet fever has been documented in recent decades. An example of this was Vietnam in 2009, with more than 23,000 documented cases.
As we can see, although we are facing a pathology associated with ancient times, this pathogenic microorganism continues to be present in our society. This is why knowing their transmission methods is helpful. We expose them to you below.
What is scarlet fever?
As mentioned previously, scarlet fever is a disease caused by infection of Streptococcus pyogenes of serogroup A. According to studies already cited, this bacterium is capable of producing exotoxins and superantigens (provoking exaggerated responses by the immune system), so its action on the human body covers a wide range of symptoms.
The sites of colonization of the bacteria are the mucosal surfaces and, to a lesser extent, the skin. Portals such as the United States National Library of Medicine collect the symptoms associated with scarlet fever:
- Onset of infection with fever and sore throat.
- Skin rash with a primary appearance on the neck and chest that then spreads throughout the body.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- Other secondary symptoms, such as headaches and muscle aches, nausea, chills, and redness and swelling of the tongue.
It should be noted that the most obvious symptom of this disease is the appearance of a skin rash. While the first signs appear on the first day or two after infection, the skin rash usually appears after 3 to 5 days and lasts for more than a week.
Is scarlet fever contagious?
According to professional pediatric organizations like Kidshealth, scarlet fever is very contagious. Both direct contact with the affected surface (in the case of patients with impetigo, another manifestation caused by this bacteria) and inhalation of microparticles (coughing and sneezing) from a sick person can transmit the infection to a healthy patient.
In addition, it should be noted that this microorganism survives on inanimate surfaces for up to four weeks. For this reason, touching materials or food that has been in contact with a sick person and then putting your hands in your mouth is a potential danger.
Official bodies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that one of the events that most lead to the appearance of scarlet fever outbreaks is poor food handling. In any case, experts do not believe that the bacteria can be transmitted by pets or toys, as long as the disinfection is adequate.
Period of contagion
The period of contagion lasts as long as the symptoms do. Despite this, it is a mild infection that resolves easily with the application of antibiotics. It should be noted that after 48 hours of treatment, the patient stops showing contagion capacity.
How to avoid the spread of scarlet fever?
As we have seen, we are facing a mild but highly contagious pathology that is transmitted by unhygienized surfaces or by microparticles of saliva from sick people. Therefore, good hygiene habits are the first defense barrier against scarlet fever. Some guidelines to follow are the following:
- In sick people, cover the nose and mouth with tissues when sneezing.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Keep the utensils of the affected person restricted only to the use of the same.
- In places where epidemiological outbreaks are registered, follow a strict protocol for sanitizing food and surfaces.
Scarlet fever and its contagion
Scarlet fever is a highly contagious infection caused by a widespread microorganism in the general population. Even so, it is a mild infection that, with antibiotic treatment, resolves in a few days.
Although the patient may have complications, such as pneumonia or sinus infections, these are not common. However, before the appearance of a generalized rash associated with a fever process, a visit to the doctor is mandatory.
