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Scarlet Fever Essay

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Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that has made itself prevalent throughout history. Many different countries have been affected by outbreaks of scarlet fever in the past. In the nineteenth century, scarlet fever was a serious epidemic, but with better hygiene and modern medicine, it is rare to see today.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that causes a red rash on the skin. It is caused by a toxin producing organism called Streptococcus pyogenes. This organism is rarely seen in well developed countries. The age group it affects is typically six to twelve year olds, however; all age groups can have the infection. The modern form of scarlet fever “...in children is now causing toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS), an acute and …show more content…

If a pregnant woman catches scarlet fever her baby is not at a high risk. If the woman is near her due date, then the infection would start causing problems and they would need to go see their healthcare provider. Once the infection is gone, the person is now immune to the toxins produced from the streptococcal bacteria. Children under two years of age have an immunity to it due to their mothers. The treatment of scarlet fever is very important because it accelerates the healing process and reduces any chances of complications that may occur. “Unlike other childhood diseases, vaccination has not played a role in reducing its toll. The microbe itself may have mutated into a milder pathogen, or improvements in hygiene may have contributed” (Lerner). Serious cases of scarlet fever are rarely seen in modern times, but it is because the bacteria itself metamorphosed into something more maintainable. In the nineteenth century, scarlet fever pandemics happened often and medicine to treat it was limited.
In the 1800s, scarlet fever was a common epidemic that spread around quickly. “In the nineteenth century, scarlet fever was one of the most feared of all childhood diseases, with a mortality of up to 35%” (Lerner). Scarlet fever was called the “plague of the youth” in the 1800s. The mortality rates were the highest in the United States, Western Europe, and Scandinavia. Around ninety percent of the cases were among two to eight year olds. It was focused in the more

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