Scarlet Fever Epidemics Treatment And Opinion

Scarlet fever has afflicted mankind since the 1500s. In the United States it appeared in epidemic proportion in New England in the early 18th century. In Boston and New Hampshire whole families became sickened, and sometimes most of their members died. Scarlet fever affects the kidneys and ear membranes particularly. Most often a rash of tiny, pin-sized red bumps forms by the third day on the chest and necks of those infected. It spreads over the legs and feet in the days following. It is especially important to quarantine patients for at least 28 days before they are allowed to come in contact with other persons. My e-book looks at writing about the contagion, which becomes active via a combination of a streptococcus germ and another virus. The strep germ is also present in diphtheria. Diphtheria antitoxin was used effectively in the early 20th century to treat scarlet fever. Scarlet fever has been eradicated in the United States but it continues to be a problem. One of the reasons it is so elusive and hard to eradicate is that it is quickly spread through carelessness. An English newspaper reported around 600 new cases in February 2014. Unfortunately, many physicians in training have never treated an active case of the disease. This is especially troublesome if another outbreak occurs where doctors lack the knowledge and experience to make the correct decisions in treating the virus.