HEALTH NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5244, 27 February 1928, Page 4

HEALTH NOTES.

ADVICE TO PARENTS!.

SCARLET FEVER OR SCARLETINA,

(Contributed by the Department of Health),

Scarlet fever, to which in its milder form the term “ scarletina ” is often applied, is a highly infectious disease, the—brupt of which, as in diphtheria, falls mostly upon young children. Of recent years its incidence has been comparatively low and its type mild, but formerly it was both m°re prevalent and more severe, causing many deaths. It is much more common in temperate climates than in the tropics. Isolated cases are almost constantly present in every community and under certain conditions, only partially understood, scarlet fever becomes suddenly widespread and assumes epidemic proportions of varying severity. The disease is most common in children between two and ten years old, though infants and adults may be attacked. Susceptibility of the disease varies in individuals, even of the same family. Scarlet fever is in every sense of the, .word a preventable disease. It is opportune, therefore, for the Health Department to issue a brief, statement Which will aid parents both in recognising the disease and in taking the prbper measures if they should have the misfortune to have one of their household stricken with it.

RECOGNISING SCARLET FEVER

A child suddenly feels tired, restless, and out-of sorts. Usually there is a chill vomiting, or convulsions. The child has high fever. His skin is .very dry and hot. His. tongue is furred, and under this white covering it is red and swollen. Frequently’he complains of sore throat. In ordinary cases these early signs are followed in a day or two by a rash. Little red points, close together,, appear first on the neck and chest,, whence they soon, spread over most of the body. The colour of the rash is distinctive and gives the name to the. disease. PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN. If any of these signs are found, the child suspected'to be suffering from, or sickening with, scarlet fever I should be kept away from other people and a doctor should immediately be called. The following rulesshould be strictly observed: (1) The child should be put in a room by itself. (2) A loose gown or kimono should be put on by the mother or other attendant when entering the ■sick room. This should be taken off when leaving. The hair should be covered by a cloth, or a. cap. Hands and face, should be washed with soap and water after caring for the patient. (3) All the .saliva and discharges from the patient’s mouth, nose, and throat should be collected on pieces of old,linen, cotton, gauze, or paper. These should then be burnt as they may spread the disease. (4) The patient-must have his own dishes, spoons, knives and forks. These dishes must be sterilized by washing in boiling water. AU clothing worn by him must be disinfected. Such articles must not be.washed with things used by other members of the family. These precautions must be taken even in mild cases, as' such' .cases can infect others, who may get the disease very severely. Children who have had scarlet fever must not return to school for at least six weeks, ’ and then only on permission' from the authorities. Ohildrenw ho are contacts of cases should remain at home until permission is given by health or other medical authorities for them to go- out. Even a mild attack of scarlet fever must be treated with the utmost care as it is capable, especially, ifi neglected, of doing insidious but possibly serious harm to its victim; Scarlet fever may leave the patient with a permanent heart disease or chronic ear trouble •leading to permanent deafness, It is also responsible for much of the kidney disease, of later life. It may be followed by inflammation of .the joints or of thfe glands of the neck. Adequate care greatly lessens the probability of such com-, .plications.;

HOW SCARLET FEVER IS SPREAD.

The disease is more contagious while the fever is. present, but the patient is still apt to spread the disease after the fever is gone, as he is then likely to go out if not restrained. It should be remembered that no matter how .mild the 1 (symptoms, or how well such a person may feel, fre is. still, dangerous ‘ to the neighbourhood and must be kept away from others. for • several weeks.. Neglect of mild cases and carelessness on the part of those recovering from the disease cause' its spreadSuch cases most frequently start epidemics, since they are not sick enough to be in bed, and restrained will visit and give the disease to many other children,- They may look and feel perfectly well, but the condition of the throat membranes, and skin, makes them, dangerous to’ otiherfe for at least four week®, and often longer. We do not know the cause of scarlet fever, but we do, know that it spreads from person to person, by means of the. discharges from the throat, nose, and ears, and possibly by scales from the skin. It is believed! that the disease can be spread by freshly contaminated clothing, playthings, books, magazines, bedding, towels, or any article or object upon which the contagion from the patient may have lodged, but the contagion is most frequently conveyed from one person; to another by close contact. It is also' frequently spread to others by pennons who have been in. contact; with the patient. ADVICE TO IPARENTS. Keep children as, much as possible in the open air. They should avoid crowded places of entertainment; Keep them from ass'oeiation with .all children who are convalescent from illness or come from a house where there isjllness until .you are satisfied it is mt infectious i u character. See

that children observe carefully simple rules of health such as regular cleansing of the teeth, and washing of hands before meals.

The following gargle for general use in the household during an epidemic is suggested : To one teacup of Warm water add half a teaspoonful of common salt, then add Condy’s fluid or crystals until the solution is a pale pink. Use three times dailyRemember that if an inmate of your home develops scarlet fever, it is not only your -duty to see that adequate care ife, taken' of’ the sufferer, but you owe it to the community to take every precaution that will minimise the risk of the infection spreading. You should, therefore, obtain medical advice as soon as possible, and follow implicitly the instructions given you by the health authorities until you arc formally notified that the household is clear of infection.