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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Scarlet Fever Contagious?

My grandkids is 7 years. Now he has scarlet fever. Antibiotic was given to him. How long is he contentious ? His great grandparent are 81 years old and I am worry about them. Also, are his parents and 6 years brother in danger? How long is this period? How long he should not go to school?
Tue, 19 Jan 2016
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by streptococcus bacteria.
The infection is contagious and can spread via nasal secretions, throat secretions and the skin rash.
Your child is contagious from the time when he developed skin rash and will remain infectious till the fever remains.
Thus, the child should be kept in isolation and away from school till fever subsides.
The antibiotic treatment should be continued for prescribed time period.
Old and young children are more prone to catch infections due to their week and under-developed immune system.
Thus, the grandparents and young children need to take proper measures to prevent infection spread.
Proper hand-washing should be followed, all clothes and bedding the infected child should be disinfected well and all secretions of infected child- nasal & throat should also be disinfected well.
The fever should cease for at least 12 hours before you send the child to school.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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Is Scarlet Fever Contagious?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by streptococcus bacteria. The infection is contagious and can spread via nasal secretions, throat secretions and the skin rash. Your child is contagious from the time when he developed skin rash and will remain infectious till the fever remains. Thus, the child should be kept in isolation and away from school till fever subsides. The antibiotic treatment should be continued for prescribed time period. Old and young children are more prone to catch infections due to their week and under-developed immune system. Thus, the grandparents and young children need to take proper measures to prevent infection spread. Proper hand-washing should be followed, all clothes and bedding the infected child should be disinfected well and all secretions of infected child- nasal & throat should also be disinfected well. The fever should cease for at least 12 hours before you send the child to school. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri