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Maintain Vigilance Against Scarlet Fever
提高警覺 預防感染猩紅熱

新 聞 稿

 

提高警覺 預防感染猩紅熱

 

本月初,衞生防護中心發出公告,現時本港猩紅熱活躍程度處於非常高水平。數據顯示,每週感染個案由十一月底的48宗,大幅倍升至十二月初的94宗。今年首11個月的累積感染個案較舊年同期亦增加近六成,預計猩紅熱的活躍程度在未來數月將維持在高水平。與過去數年一樣,受影響的絕大部分為10歲以下兒童,所以本會呼籲市民要特別留意幼兒及學童的個人衞生,包括在觸摸口鼻眼後一定要洗手、保持室內空氣流通、在高發病期更應盡量避免到人多擠迫的地方,以防受到感染。

 

猩紅熱是由甲類鏈球菌引致的細菌感染,可透過飛沫或直接與受感染的呼吸系統分泌物接觸而傳播。初期病徵包括發燒,喉嚨痛,部份人會有頭痛、嘔吐和腹痛。舌頭表面可出現草莓般(呈紅色和凹凸)的外觀。在發病首日或翌日,身軀和頸部會出現砂紙般粗糙的紅疹。其後紅疹會蔓延至四肢,特別是腋窩、肘部和腹股溝。紅疹多在一星期內消退,繼而指尖、腳趾和腹股溝的皮膚會脫皮。

 

陳以誠醫生指流感病毒會使猩紅熱病情惡化,增加出現嚴重併發症的機會。必須提高市民的警覺性預防猩紅熱併發症,例如風濕性心臟病及急性腎炎等,這些均有機會在日後引致心臟衰竭和腎衰竭,因此更應適時為兒童接種流感疫苗。學校、幼稚園及托兒所應採取積極預防措施,教師亦應注意學生是否出現猩紅熱病徵。如出現猩紅熱的病徵,應盡早求診。醫生可憑臨床診斷,或使用快速測試幫助診斷病人是否受甲類鏈球菌感染。青黴素類抗生素能有效治療猩紅熱,預防病情惡化及併發症,及可縮短感染期及預防甲類鏈球菌的傳播。因此市民應依照醫生的指示服用抗生素,切勿諱疾忌醫。

 

我們應減少由食物中汲取抗生素。香港醫學會會致力教育市民,不要自行到藥房購買及服用抗生素。在必須使用抗生素的情況下,例如感染猩紅熱,應積極與醫生合作,遵照其指示,這樣不構成濫用。

 

二零一七年十二月十一日

 


編輯備忘:

 

香港醫學會成立於一九二零年,旨在聯繫政府、各公立醫療機構、大學及私人執業的醫務工作者,交流意見,團結一心。醫學會致力將最新的醫療資訊及醫務發展傳遞與會員,提倡會員遵行專業操守,進而服務社會,維護民康。

 

查詢:

袁巧蓮女士

電話:

2527 8285

網址:

www.hkma.org

電子郵箱:

hkma@hkma.org

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

11 December 2017

 

Maintain Vigilance Against Scarlet Fever

 

Earlier this month, the Centre for Health Protection announced that scarlet fever (SF) activity had sharply increased and reached a very high level.  Surveillance data showed that the weekly number of SF cases increased from 48 in late November to 94 in early December.  The total SF cases reported in the first 11 months of 2017 increased for about 60% compared to the figures for the same period in 2016. It is expected that the SF activity will remain at a higher level in the coming few months.  Same as past years, SF mostly affects children under 10 years of age.  As such, the Hong Kong Medical Association would like to remind people, especially children of very young age, to stay vigilant in personal hygiene: washing hands after touching the mouth, nose and eyes; maintaining good indoor ventilation; and avoid going to crowded public places during peak infective period.

 

SF is caused by bacterial infection by Group A Streptococcus. It is transmitted through either respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions. It usually starts with a fever and sore throat. Headache, vomiting and abdominal pain may also occur. The tongue may have a distinctive "strawberry"-like (red and bumpy) appearance. A "sandpaper" texture-like rash would commonly begin on the first or second day of illness over the upper trunk and neck, which spreads to the limbs. The rash is usually more prominent in armpits, elbows and groin areas. It usually subsides after one week and is followed by skin peeling over fingertips, toes and groin areas.

Dr. Alvin CHAN Yee Shing commented that children should have influenza vaccination because influenza would increase the severity and risks of complications of SF. The society should not bear the consequences of SF not timely treated with antibiotics, and all must be alert to prevent the complications of SF like rheumatic heart disease and acute nephritis which are causes of heart failure and renal failure later in their lives. Teachers should be aware of possible SF in students with active measures to prevent spread of SF in schools, kindergartens and nurseries. Patients should consult the doctor as soon as possible if symptoms of SF appears.  Doctors can make clinical judgements to make diagnosis of SF. Rapid Group A Streptococcus test can be used to help in diagnosing when necessary.  SF can be effectively treated with antibiotics belonging to the penicillin group.  Early use of antibiotics will prevent clinical deterioration and complications, and also shortens period of infectivity and prevent transmission of the disease.  Patients are encouraged to take antibiotics according to doctor’s advice, or it will lead to serious health consequences.

 

We should aim at reducing antibiotics consumption from food intake.  The Hong Kong Medical Association is determined to educate the public not to self-prescribe antibiotics from pharmacies, and also to co-operated with doctors only to use antibiotics when medically necessary, i.e. in case of scarlet fever, and prevent abuse.

 


 

Notes to editors:

 

The Hong Kong Medical Association, founded in 1920, aims to bring together Hong Kong's government, institutional, university and private medical practitioners for an effective exchange of views and co-ordination of efforts.  The foremost objective of the Association is to safeguard and promote public health.  The Association speaks collectively for its members and aims to keep its members abreast of medical ethics, issues and advances around the world.  In fulfilling these goals, the association hopes to better serve the people of Hong Kong.

 

Enquiries :

Candy YUEN

Tel :

2527 8285

Home Page :

www.hkma.org

E-mail :

hkma@hkma.org