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Scarlet fever diagnosed
By Allison M. Heinrichs
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, March 4, 2006
A city grade-school girl has been diagnosed with scarlet fever, a once feared disease now easily treated with antibiotics.
Pittsburgh Public School officials on Friday voluntarily notified the Allegheny County Health Department about the case at Schaeffer Elementary School in Crafton Heights. No other children have been diagnosed with the disease, which is not highly contagious.
The school district found out about the disease after the girl - whom officials declined to name - came to school with a doctor's note. The girl is receiving antibiotics and is expected to make a full recovery, health department spokesman Dave Zazac said.
Letters were sent home with the school's 186 students after parents raised concerns, said Janet Yuhasz, coordinator of student wellness for Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Scarlet fever is characterized by a rash that looks like sunburn, feels like sandpaper and is accompanied by a sore throat and fever. It is produced by the bacteria that cause strep throat, and infects about one in 200 children who contract strep. County health officials know of two or three local cases in the last five years, Zazac said.
Before the 20th century, the disease killed thousands of people, and it's impact on life at that time was captured in books such as "Little Women," "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Little House on the Prairie."
The disease is spread through mouth and nasal fluids. After 24 hours on antibiotics, people with scarlet fever are no longer contagious and can return to normal activities, said Dr. Judy Martin, a strep expert at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
"It's just as contagious as any other strep infection, and this is certainly the time of year that we see strep in the schools," Martin said. "She's probably not going to spread it to any other children, but she likely got it from someone in the same classroom, so it might be going around."
Allison M. Heinrichs can be reached at aheinrichs@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5607.
Scarlet fever diagnosed
By Allison M. Heinrichs
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, March 4, 2006
A city grade-school girl has been diagnosed with scarlet fever, a once feared disease now easily treated with antibiotics.
Pittsburgh Public School officials on Friday voluntarily notified the Allegheny County Health Department about the case at Schaeffer Elementary School in Crafton Heights. No other children have been diagnosed with the disease, which is not highly contagious.
The school district found out about the disease after the girl - whom officials declined to name - came to school with a doctor's note. The girl is receiving antibiotics and is expected to make a full recovery, health department spokesman Dave Zazac said.
Letters were sent home with the school's 186 students after parents raised concerns, said Janet Yuhasz, coordinator of student wellness for Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Scarlet fever is characterized by a rash that looks like sunburn, feels like sandpaper and is accompanied by a sore throat and fever. It is produced by the bacteria that cause strep throat, and infects about one in 200 children who contract strep. County health officials know of two or three local cases in the last five years, Zazac said.
Before the 20th century, the disease killed thousands of people, and it's impact on life at that time was captured in books such as "Little Women," "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Little House on the Prairie."
The disease is spread through mouth and nasal fluids. After 24 hours on antibiotics, people with scarlet fever are no longer contagious and can return to normal activities, said Dr. Judy Martin, a strep expert at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
"It's just as contagious as any other strep infection, and this is certainly the time of year that we see strep in the schools," Martin said. "She's probably not going to spread it to any other children, but she likely got it from someone in the same classroom, so it might be going around."
Allison M. Heinrichs can be reached at aheinrichs@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5607.
