The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-03-27
Your Health

FEW people realise il, but there
is one type Of sore throat so nearly
akin to scarlet fever as TO be prae-
tically the same thing. II is known
as hemolytic streptococcal sore
throat and, according to DR.. Lo-
we'll A. Rantz Of San Francisco,
there is no essential difference be-
tween this illness and scarlet
fever.
Both are caused by the same
germs, the hemolytic strepocoeci.
Both are serious illnesses. Both
come on suddenly. In both, the pa
tient usually has high fever.
Throat Picture
The throat picture is the same
in each-redness and swelling of
the tonsils and other parts Of the
throat, with swelling and tender
ness of the lymph glands in the
neck. The same thing is true Of
the blood. In both diseases, there is
an increase in the blood's white cell
count.
Almost the only difference lies
in the fact that within ~ to SO
hours after the onset of the illness,
some patients develop a rash over
most Of the body. Others do not.
The ones that develop the rash
are said to have scarlet fever. Cen
orally they are likely to be more
i'll than those who have the sister
disease, hemolytic streptococcal
sore throat without the rash.
There is still a third group Of
patients who have a streptococcal
infection Of the throat who do not
become very i'll. In fact they may
be unaware that the disease is
present and only learn of it late
when complications may occur.
Nose and Throat
DR.. Rantz believes that One 49,,
Of every FIVE cases.of streptococcal
infection of the upper air pas
sages, that is, in the nose or throat,
develops one or more complica-
tons. These he divides into two
classes-those which suppurate
dead to pus formation) and those
which do not.
Examples Of the former are in
fections of the middle ear, known
as otitis media, which may go on
to mastoid involvement and en-
largement Of the lymph glands Of
the neck, known as cervical aden-
tits.
Examples Of those complications
which do not suppurate, known as
non-suppurative, are chronic in
fections Of the throat in which
there is a slight daily temperature
rise, and general weakness which
may last for weeks or even
months; kidney disease known as
acute nephritis, which also may
last for weeks; heart disease, us
ually without joint involvement,
and seldom associated with rash.
When the heart becomes in
volved, evidence Of this may be OBJ
tanned by having an electrocardio-
gram made. An electrocardiogram
is simply an electrical tracing Of
the heart beat.
Joints Swollen
We must remember, however,
that there are times when the
Joints do become swollen following
a streptococcal throat infection.
When we mention swollen joints
and Inflammation of the heart the
doctor Immediately thinks of acute
rheumatic fever. II has been sug-
gested that so-called rheumatic
fever develops only following a
hemolytic streptococcal infection
Of the throat
Thus, it is possible, that by pre-
venting or properly treating the
throat infection, much can be done
to avoid rheumatic fever. For pre-
vention Of the sore throat, the sui
fonamide drugs have been useful.
For treatment of the throat in
lection, penicillin as well as the
sulfonamide drugs have been most
helpful. All Of these, Of course, are
TO be used only under a physicians
supervision.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
E. c.: What would cause the
heart to beat fast after eating a
meal?
Answer: II Is normal for the
heart rate TO increase somewhat
after eating, This is no cause for
concern.