EFFECTS OF THE INFECTION

The results of the location of the germs in the throat or in wounds depend on whether the individual is susceptible or immune. One attack of scarlet fever is followed by immunity which usually lasts through life. A second attack is very rare. Many persons probably are immune because they have sometime passed through very mild forms of the disease which were not recognized as scarlet fever at all. If the germs have secured a footing in a susceptible person they grow and produce their poisons or toxines. These cause inflammation of the tonsils, and other parts of the throat and as the toxines enter the blood and are carried to all parts of the body they cause fever, an eruption of the skin, and injury to various organs, especially the heart and kidneys.