SCARLET FEVER (a) Infective Agent.—Is unknown; but by some is considered to be a streptococcus.
(b) Source of Infection.—Typical cases, atypical cases and carriers.
(c) Exit of Infective Agent.—In the secretions of the mouth and nose and in purulent discharges from suppurating ears and lymph nodes.
(d) Route of Transmission.—By direct or indirect contact; or by milk contaminated with buccal-pharyngeal secretions.
(e) Incubation Period.—From 2 to 7 days, usually 3 to 4 days.
(f) Period of Communicability.—Up until four weeks from the onset of the illness without regard to desquamation, and until all abnormal discharges have stopped and the open lesions have healed.
(g) Entrance of Infective Agent into the Body.—Probably by mouth or nose.
(7z) Methods of Diagnosis: By clinical manifestations.
2. Isolation: At home or in a hospital, maintained until the termination of infectivity.
3. Artificial Immunization: None.
4. Quarantine: Exclusion of exposed susceptible children and teachers from school, and of food handlers from their work, until seven days have elapsed since the last known exposure.
5. Concurrent disinfection: Of all discharges of the patient and of all objects contaminated with them.
6. Terminal disinfection: Thorough cleaning.
General Measures.-1. Daily examination of exposed children and other susceptible contacts for a week after their last exposure.
2. Schools should not be closed where daily observation of the children by a physician or nurse is provided.
3. Education of parents and others in the danger of exposing children to those persons who exhibit acute catarrhal symptoms of any kind.
4. Pasteurization of all public milk supplies should be re quired.