Milford chronicle., 1946-01-25
Health Board Issues
'Scarletina' Warming
1t L. Same Diseases As Scarlet
Fever And Is As Dangerous

Scarlet fever and scarletina are
the same disease and mild case of
scarlet fever (often mistakenly
called "scarletina'O may be follow
ed by the same complications of
running ear" or kidney damage,
as may result from a severe case,
warns the Division of Communica-
hle Disease of the State Board o.
Health. The Board also states that
mild case of scarlet fever is just
as catching" as a severe one. as
both are caused by the same
streptOcOccus.
May Begin With Sore Throat
Parents are warned to suspect
scarlet fever even in mild cases OF
sore throat for ii is the mild cases,
showing little or no rash, which
sometimes cause epidemics. \
slight case of scarlet fever in one
child NAV be caught" by another
child and in him become severe
case. The board warns parents to
keep every child with sore throat
out of school and away from other
children, either at home or at pla!
in the neighhorhOOd, so that if he
is developing scarlet fever he can
not give it to any other youngster
Resting in bed will also help the
sick child to rally his strength to
fight whatever illness he may have.
The form of scarlet fever that is
now found in the state is usually
mild, says the State Board OF
Health. showing, sometimes. moth
ing more than sore throat, or. in
cases of moderate severity. a rash
which may last only a day or so
and be so slight as to be missed en-
tirely 1t is these undia2nOsed cas-
eS which are more likely to spread
the disease than those showing a
rash, for the childrens activities
are not restricted and they have
often returned to school as soon as
the sore throt has cleared up (but
while they are still in an infectious
stage).
The rash has the appearance OF
red goose flesh. Itching is slight or
absent. BY the 4th or 5th day the
tongue becomes bright red in color
with little raised bumps. having a
strawberry-like appearance
Scarlet Fever in Delaware
Late winter and early spring is Il
season when scarlet fever flou-
rishes. About 800 cases have been
reported TO the Board during the
past year and 40 since the first of
December.
How Scarlet Fever is Transmitted
Scarlet fever is a very catching
disease passed on by secretiOns OF
the nose and throat of the sick per
son. 1t enters the we'll person by
way of drOplets of secretion thrown
into the air as the patient couehs.
SneeZeS or talks; and is easily
hreathed in by any one who is near.
1t also gets into the thrOats OF well
persons by way of the mouth
through food. dishes, or any other
objects which have been in contact
with. or near, the sick person. 1t is
also possible for the disease to be
spread by touching recently infect
ed bed clothes, towels. books. eat
ing utensils or toys of the patient.
Even the fur of pet dogs and cats
may carry the germs.
Symptoms
The incubation. or deveIOping
period, of scarlet fever is from / TO
days, with sudden onset. Symp-
toms include sore throat, vomiting
sudden rise in temperature. pros
tratlon. and severe headache. The
lace becomes flushed. and within u
to SO hours the rash may appear.
IL symptoms of scarlet fever are
present call your doctor immediat-
ely, advises the State Board of
Health. Have him check your child.
both for the sake of your own
childs health and for the protec-
tion of other children.
hi