Scarlet fever: why cases increase in the second half of the year and how to protect yourself

Scarlet fever: why cases increase in the second half of the year and how to protect yourself


The disease spreads through contact between people, through droplets of saliva or contaminated secretions

When faced with symptoms such as fever high blood pressure, sore throat and skin rashes, especially among those aged 5 to 15 years, parents and teachers should consider scarlet fevera condition that tends to become more widespread in the second half of the year. According to pediatrician Thales Araújo de Oliveira, director of the emergency room at the Infantil Sabará Hospital in Sao Paulo, this is mainly due to temperature changes.

To give you an idea, between July and August this year there was an almost 80% increase in the number of visits for the disease in Sabará (from 64 in July to 116 in August). The trend was similar to that observed last year: there were 65 consultations in July and 136 in August 2024.

“This is to be expected. At this time of year we always see an increase in the circulation of the bacteria that cause scarlet fever in the age group between 5 and 15 years old,” emphasizes Araújo.

The trend doesn’t just happen in Saint Paul. It also occurs in other regions. “It has to do with the seasons and seasonality. When the temperature drops and people tend to stay indoors more, transmission is favored,” explains the doctor.

At the Samaritan Hospital, also in the capital Sao Paulo, from January to September this year, 100 cases were identified in the emergency room. In the same period of 2024, 120 events occurred. In a statement, the hospital specifies that it is observing stability, in addition to the expected seasonality.

The disease is not mandatory to be reported, but pediatrician Ana Maria Melo, from Samaritano Higienópolis, stresses that it is important that cases are reported. “As with older school-age children, schools have a very important role in case identification and communication. When they notice these situations, they must alert health departments to allow identification of possible outbreaks,” he explains.

What is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. They are also agents that cause throat infections (tonsillitis) and skin infections (impetigo, erysipelas).

It does not arise from the direct action of bacteria, but from the body’s allergic reaction to the toxins released by it. Therefore, the same bacterium can cause different diseases in each individual it infects.

The disease spreads through contact between people, through droplets of saliva or contaminated secretions. The infection can come from both sick people and asymptomatic carriers, who harbor the bacteria in their throat or nose without showing signs of the disease.

Ana says that scarlet fever can cause some kidney and heart complications. “Patients with immune deficiency or who are undergoing immunosuppressive treatments may develop more serious infections,” he explains.

How to avoid the disease?

According to Araújo, early identification is the main way to prevent possible transmission of the disease. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the symptoms of the condition.

In most cases, children have high fever associated with sore throat and malaise. “What is typical of scarlet fever is the raspberry tongue, as we say. It becomes very red, with a different appearance,” says the doctor from Sabará. Another very common characteristic is the presence of red spots on the skin. These rashes are often rough and scaly.

Those who have the disease should stay at home to avoid transmitting it and also to recover.

For prevention it is also worth focusing on hand hygiene. “It is also important to maintain respiratory etiquette, since the disease is transmitted through droplets and secretions. Furthermore, the ventilation of rooms makes a difference. At this time of year, when the climate cools and spaces become more closed, the circulation of these bacteria increases”, underlines Araújo.

Ana also advises children to avoid sharing utensils, such as bottles, spoons and other objects.

Treatment and diagnosis

The diagnosis of scarlet fever is initially clinical, based on the presence of fever, sore throat and skin rashes. However, confirmation must be made in the laboratory, through the detection of bacteria in a sample taken from the throat with a swab, a specific cotton ball used to collect secretions from the nasopharyngeal region.

Treatment usually involves the appointment of an antibiotic, amoxicillin, for 10 days. In general, the child stops shedding the bacteria after 24 hours of using the antibiotic. It is worth noting that treatment should be indicated and monitored by a healthcare professional.

Source: Terra

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