What is it about?
The research shows the historical connection between varicella (chicken pox) and scarlet fever. Medical reports from the late 19th century are reviewed along with a statistical analysis of the relationship between the two diseases in four American cities in the early 20th century using newly available public health data. The two diseases have a similar method for evading the immune system, which may increase the likelihood of co-infections.
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Why is it important?
Although scarlet fever had almost vanished as an epidemic disease, there have been recent outbreaks in China, the UK, and other countries. The return of scarlet fever may have been abetted by failure to vaccinate children for varicella.
Perspectives
This is an example of how co-infections may come about in seemingly unrelated diseases and the multiplicative effect it has on both.
Dr Stephen Coleman
retired
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The association between varicella (chickenpox) and group A streptococcus infections in historical perspective, SAGE Open Medicine, November 2016, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2050312116658909.
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