The next wave of disease is already rolling through Styria. A known pathogen is now hitting children with full force. Under what circumstances can scarlet fever become dangerous?
High fever, difficulty swallowing, swollen tonsils, often the noticeable “raspberry tongue” – these are the classic symptoms of scarlet fever. A well-known disease that mainly affects children and is currently spreading throughout Europe.
The WHO urges caution
Shortly before Christmas, the World Health Organization (WHO) along with the EU health authority warned of increased vigilance against the disease. In Britain, nine children are said to have died this winter due to mistreatment.
The current wave does not stop at Styria either. “Yes, we are currently dealing with a massive outbreak of scarlet fever,” confirms Dr Alexander Moussa, Hartberg general practitioner and president of the general practitioners in the Styrian Medical Association. “That in itself is not a big deal, but it should definitely be clarified with a doctor.”
Antibiotics help well
Scarlet fever is caused by streptococci and is fairly easy to treat with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, it can have serious long-term consequences for the heart or joints. In addition, sick people are contagious for three weeks without antibiotics – even after the actual illness is over.
It is not expected that the scarlet fever wave will subside quickly. The highly contagious disease was able to spread well during the holidays and will also be carried into classrooms and kindergartens from next Monday.
So far there has been “no significant increase” of scarlet fever patients in the Graz regional hospital. The reason for this is the tireless efforts of GPs, as Moussa explained: “We are handling it very well.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
