Scarlet Fever Treatment

Scarlet fever, just like any other bacterial infection can be treated at home through several remedies. The most common remedy that parents should resort to when they suspect a scarlet fever infection in their children is to administer antibiotics. These antibiotics should be prescribed by your child's physician. I really don't have to remind you about bearing in mind that the dosage must be given as prescribed because failure to which may cause more harm to your sick child. To those parents whose children go to school or baby care, see to it that that someone gives the baby the usual dosage at the required time.

Some parents have a tendency of discontinuing the medications after a few dosages and when their children show some signs of improvements. This is a dangerous approach as all the prescribed medication must be taken by the sick child even if the rash disappears. Children need to take the prescribed antibiotic for ten days, during which the strep throat is blocked from bursting. Store the medication as required, if it is liquid, ensure it is a lockable refrigerator and always strive to give the right dosage.

Some stubborn infections can be stopped by a long-acting penicillin (Bicillin) injection which is usually preferred if you are not in position to administer regular dosage of the antibiotic tabs. An injection is also sought after if the sick kid cannot take the oral antibiotic medicine regularly. However, it is important to note that oral antibiotics are equally as effective as the injection and works as fast.

To help relief the sore throat, some over the counter medications like Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given to the child. Warm chicken broth sips or apple juice can also be used by children over one year. Another easily available and cost effective remedy especially for children over four years is letting them suck on hard candy or lollipops; you kill two birds with one stone, they enjoy the lollypop or candy while helping get rid of a stubborn throat.

The rash is usually the most feared by parents. In reality, there is no need to panic because of the scarlet rash; it progressively clears after some days-usually 4-5 days. After placing a sick child on antibiotics for 24 hours, the kid's contagious threat is neutralized and hence you can let your kid enjoy a normal life like going back to school, of which if deprived any longer may cause a storm in the family. You need not to worry about the rash itself because it is not contagious.

A throat culture should be administered to any family member who experiences constant fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache, vomiting, or sore throat and loses appetite for 5 consecutive days. Unless in the family there are relatives who had rheumatic fever of constant strep infections, everyone need to undergo a throat culture but is usually preferable to only the sick child. In case the cultures are positive for strep, the doctor will advise accordingly.

If a child takes all the required antibiotic medication, there is usually no for a repeat throat culture. However, almost 10% of kids with a strep throat infection don't react to the initial antibiotic treatment. It is recommended that you take your child back to the physician if you realize the existence of a sore throat or mild fever after completing treatment. A different antibiotic can be used to treat the sick child.