OTC - scarlett fever

Question 1

Symptoms?

Answer 1

• pink-red, itchy “sandpaper” rash (develops 12-48 hours after initial symtpoms. first appears on the chest and stomach before spreading to other areas of the body)
• initial symptoms before rash (sore throat, headache, high temp, flushed cheeks and swollen tongue)

OTHER SYMTPOMS:

• red and swollen tongue (strawberry tongue
• swollen lymph glands
• malaise
• loss of appetitie etc

Question 2

Referral?

Answer 2

• refer all cases, needs antibiotics

- amoxicillin for 10 days

Question 3

OTC products?

Answer 3

SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF

• paracetamol (fever)
• antihistamine/calamine (itching)

Question 4

Advice?

Answer 4

• scarlet fever is very contagious
• keep children off school for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic
• avoid sharing towels, clothes, bed linen, cups (spread through touching the skin of a person with streptococcal skin infection, such as impetigo)
• cover mouth when sneezing, coughing (spread though air droplets)