In the field of medicine it is important that proper diagnosis is done. This is very important so that proper medical care can be administered. There are a number diseases which show very similar symptoms to other diseases and there are also diseases which are just minor indications of a much worst illness. If a particular condition is misdiagnose it could have adverse effects to the patient. Wrong medication and scarlet fever treatment may be given as a result. This may cause the patient to react negatively to the medicine or procedure and in some cases may result to the illness getting worst or in some grave instances may result to death. An example of a disease that may show very similar symptoms is scarlet fever. Therefore, how is scarlet fever diagnosis done properly?

First, it is important in a scarlet fever diagnosis to know the symptoms related to scarlet fever. Scarlet fever symptoms are often very similar to a common cold or flu. It is often characterized by fever and sore throat at the initial incubation of the bacteria. However unlike the common cold and flu, scarlet fever is cause by the streptococcal bacteria which initially infects the throat. During its first few days, it is important to note in the scarlet fever diagnosis that the person infected by the bacteria will show signs of pain in the the throat with redness of the tonsils and white and red spots in the tongue. There may also show signs of pus. The patient will be feverish and may complain about joint pains,headache and nausea. However the most notable sign in a scarlet fever diagnosis is the presence of rashes which will usually appear in the third or fifth day and will start in the neck area spreading towards the back and the chest. This redness is cause by the bacteria releasing toxins that affect the skin.

During a physical exam with a doctor, he will examine the patient’s throat, tongue and tonsils for inflammation and the signs mentioned above. He will also check for inflammation of the lymph nodes by feeling the patient’s neck. The doctor may swab some samples from the patients throat to be examined in the laboratory to confirm the presence of the streptococcus bacteria. The doctor will also examine the rash and will ask the patient where it first appeared. Depending on the severity of the case and the number f days since the symptoms first appeared, the doctor may ask the patient to take antibiotics. The medicine given may also differ depending on the age of the patient. Some mild cases of scarlet fever can be treated by bed rest and aspirin. However, aspirin treatment in children are not advisable. It always important that children’s cases,as advice by doctors be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin. During the course of the scarlet fever diagnosis, the doctor will also examine the patient for other symptoms which may be related to scarlet fever complications. Other tests may be done to check other organs such as the heart, kidneys and liver. The patient may be checked for ear infection to avoid hearing loss.

In the final analysis, it is always important to seek medical help in dealing with scarlet fever or other disease. Misdiagnoses can result to very serious problems and therefore needs to be avoided. It would be better to get a doctor’s advice so that prompt and proper medical attention will be given to the patient.