Scarlet Fever was a leading cause of death among children in the 19th century. The situation was so serious, homes in which victims of Scarlet Fever lived were quarantined by health authorities in order to help prevent its spread to the general public.
Now it appears Scarlet Fever is making a comeback in some countries such as China, where up to 21,000 cases have been reported in the past year alone!
And the bad news gets worse: An antibiotic-resistant strain of the pathogen responsible for Scarlet Fever has developed, prompting new fears at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that U.S. tourists traveling to China might bring the deadly new strain back with them.
Will colloidal silver help? The results of several clinical studies indicate silver-based antimicrobials are indeed very effective against this potentially deadly pathogen…
Hi, Steve Barwick here, for www.TheSilverEdge.com...
According to a recent article on Yahoo! Health, the highly infectious and potentially deadly disease, Scarlet Fever, is making a comeback that has health authorities quite concerned:
“Scarlet fever—the much-feared scourge of the past—is back, with an outbreak in Hong Kong that has killed two children and sickened hundreds.
More than 21,000 cases have also been reported in China so far this year, nearly quadruple the rate for the same period in 2010, while infections have tripled in Macau, prompting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to issue a warning to travelers to China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
What makes the outbreak particularly alarming is that the strain infecting the region is 60 percent resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat it, compared to 10 to 30 percent resistance in previous strains, according to a microbiologist from Hong Kong University.”
According to the Macau Daily Times, the situation is quite serious, and is reaching epidemic proportions:
“Experts meanwhile warned that the epidemic sweeping through Hong Kong, Macau, and parts of China may worsen…The situation is rather serious at the moment…
…We are facing an epidemic because the bacterium that is causing scarlet fever is widely circulating in this region -- not only in Hong Kong but in mainland China and Macau."
According to health experts, at this point in time there has (thankfully!) been no similar surge of Scarlet Fever cases in the U.S.
But the Centers for Disease Control has issued an alert asking U.S. tourists visiting China to take precautions.
“Hong Kong scientists who isolated the bacteria in a six-year-old patient found a genetic mutation that may make the new strain more contagious than usual, which could explain the dramatic rise in cases in the affected region.”
Is the outbreak likely to spread to the US?
So far, there are no reports of any surge in scarlet fever cases in the US. Health authorities warn travelers to Hong Kong, China and Macau to wash their hands frequently and avoid crowded places that lack fresh air to reduce the risk of catching the disease.”
What Is Scarlet Fever?
According to Dr. Ron Kennedy, M.D., the same pathogen that causes strep throat – Streptococcus pyogenes -- also causes Scarlet Fever:
“Scarlet fever is a disease caused by infection with Group A streptococcal bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes) that occurs in a small proportion of people with strep throat.
The incubation period between contracting strep and the onset of scarlet fever is short, typically 72 hours but may range from 1 to 7 days.
Illness usually begins with a fever and sore throat and may be accompanied by chills, vomiting, abdominal pain and malaise.
The strep bacteria produces a toxin that causes a rash that appears 1 to 2 days after the onset of illness. The rash initially appears on the neck and chest, then spreads over the body. Typically the rash begins as small red macules which gradually become elevated.
The redness fades over a few days and the patient is left with a rough "sandpaper" feeling rash. While the rash is still red the patient may develop what are called Pastia's lines, bright red coloration of the creases under the arm and in the groin.
The rash usually lasts for 3 days. As the rash fades, desquamation (peeling) may occur around the finger tips, toes, and groin area.
The throat culture should be positive for group A Strep. There is a rapid antigen test (throat swab).
Therapy is designed to treat the infection with antibiotics (usually penicillin) and relieve symptoms with analgesics, rest, and plenty of fluids.”
Is Colloidal Silver Effective Against Scarlet Fever?
While there have been no modern in vivo (i.e., human) laboratory clinical studies conducted on colloidal silver to determine whether or not it will heal Scarlet Fever…
…there have been a number of in vitro (i.e., test tube) studies demonstrating the effectiveness of silver-based antimicrobials against the pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes that causes both Scarlet Fever and strep throat.
According to a May 13, 1999 report signed by Brigham Young University microbiologist David A. Revelli and BYU Professor of Microbiology/Molecular Biology Dr. Ron W. Leavitt, Ph.D….
…a colloidal silver solution was able to kill four different strains of the Streptococcus pathogen, at surprisingly low concentrations, and including the strain that causes both Scarlet Fever and strep throat, Streptococcus pyogenes.
Here’s a brief synopsis of what the researchers discovered:
Streptococcus pyogenes (skin infections, upper respiratory infections (i.e. strep throat) impetigo, hospital-acquired infections, Scarlet Fever, etc.) inhibited and killed @ 1.25 ppm. 1/22/99 BYU Report.
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumonia, meningitis, sinusitis, otitis media (ear infection) inhibited @ 2.5 ppm and killed @ 5 ppm. BYU Report.
Streptococcus faecalis (Urinary tract infections, endocarditis, wound infections, etc.) inhibited @ 2.5 ppm and killed @ 5 ppm. BYU Report.
Streptococcus mutans (A major cause dental plaque and tooth decay etc.) inhibited and killed @ 5 ppm. BYU Report.
Streptococcus gordonii (Tooth decay, also implicated in infective endocarditis-an infection of the heart valves) inhibited and killed @ 5 ppm. BYU Report.
As you can see, in in vitro testing, extremely low concentrations ranging between 1.25 ppm colloidal silver and 5 ppm colloidal silver were able to kill the Streptococcus pathogens tested…
…including Streptococcus pyogenes which was killed at only 1.25 ppm – an astonishingly low concentration of silver!
This is very good news, because the pathogen causing the current outbreak of Scarlet Fever in China appears to be resistant to antibiotic drugs, which means an alternative means of treatment for stubborn critical cases is going to be needed.
Is Colloidal Silver Effective Against Antibiotic-Resistant Strains?
In another in vitro clinical study titled, “Bactericidal Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria,” published in the World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (Volume 26, Number 4, 615-621, DOI: 10.1007/s11274-009-0211-3)…
…researchers tested the efficacy of silver nanoparticles against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of Scarlet Fever) as well as four other bacterial strains including Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and E. coli.
The results?
According to the study authors:
“In our study, silver nanoparticles exerted a bactericidal effect against the six bacterial strains… there was no significant difference between the bactericidal effects of silver nanoparticles on drug-resistant and non-drug-resistant microorganisms.
…the same nanosilver concentration inhibited 99.7% of erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes, 95.7% of ampicillin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and 92.8% of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.”
The researchers further concluded that silver nanoparticles exhibited bactericidal effect rather than merely bacteriostatic effect.
This is important news, because it means the use of silver nanoparticles is so effective against the drug-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes, it outright kills them rather than merely inhibiting their growth!
The researchers stated in their conclusion [italics and underlining are mine]:
“For all strains, the average ratio of the minimum bactericidal concentration to the minimum inhibitory concentration indicated that silver nanoparticles have a bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic effect on the tested bacteria.
In theory, a bactericidal agent is preferred clinically because bacterial killing should produce a faster resolution of the infection, improve clinical outcome, and reduce the likelihood of the emergence of resistance and the spread of infection.
If pathogens are killed rather than inhibited, resistance mutations that might otherwise emerge as the result of antibiotic pressure are eliminated…
The data presented here are novel in that they prove that silver nanoparticles are effective bactericidal agents regardless of the drug-resistance mechanisms that exist in multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa, ampicillin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes and show the importance of silver nanoparticles in the nosocomial and community environment.
Therefore, silver nanoparticles can be recommended as an effective broad-spectrum bactericidal agent.”
In short, silver-based antimicrobials represent a potentially powerful weapon in the fight against drug-resistant pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes.
What the Experts Say About Colloidal Silver and Streptococcus!
Since the early 1900’s various forms of silver-based antimicrobial substances have been tested against different strains of streptococcus, and found to be effective.
Here are just a few examples where medical experts and clinical researchers have attested to the efficacy of silver-based antimicrobials against various forms of the Streptococcus pathogen, including the “group A” Streptococcus pyogenes strain responsible for strep throat and Scarlet Fever:
“The author has shown antibacterial activity against four major pathogens namely MRSA, pseudomonas, group A streptococcus and E.coli in the laboratory.”
-- Noted South African Colloidal Silver Researcher Dr Peter J. Price, MBBCh (Rand), MMed (Clinical Pathology)
"Colloidal silver just might be the next germ-fighting wonder drug. And not just for the serious threats making headlines: It's also effective against bacterial infections like strep throat, viruses like the flu, and fungal infections like Candida."
-- Dr. Jonathan Wright, MD, of the famous Tahoma Clinic in Seattle, WA
“Silver in the colloidal state is highly germicidal, quite harmless to humans and absolutely non-toxic…All virus, fungus, bacterium, streptococcus, staphylococcus, and other pathogenic organisms are killed in three or four minutes upon contact. There are no side effects whatsoever from the highest concentrations.”
-- Dr. Henry Crooks, quoted by Alfred B. Searle in Use of Colloids in Health and Disease, 1910
“...Staphylococcus pyogenes, various Streptococci, and other pathogenic organisms are all killed in three or four minutes; in fact, no microbe is known that is not killed by this colloid in laboratory experiments in six minutes…”
-- Alfred B. Searles, Use of Colloids in Health & Disease, 1910
“The writer found that guinea-pigs and rabbits survive the opening of the peritoneal cavity and infection of the peritoneum with staphylococci, streptococci or diphtheria bacilli if a few pieces of metallic silver are introduced simultaneously, but die if this is omitted.”
-- The Medical Review, Volume 3, Page 38, January-December, 1900
“This 'colloidal silver' is almost entirely soluble in water and albuminous fluids, and apparently hinders the development of and destroys certain pathogenic germs, viz., staphylo and streptococci, to such an extent as to very often effect a rapid and absolutely surprising cure in recent cases, and also in chronic ones, such as slow sepsis and furunculosis, where secondary changes of vital organs, such as abscesses, or gangrene, have not occurred.”
-- Albany Medical Annals, Volume 21, No. 1, January, 1900
As you can see, the effectiveness of silver-based antimicrobials against Streptococcus pathogens – including Streptococcus pyogenes, the cause of strep throat and Scarlet Fever -- is nothing new.
Clinically, silver in various forms has been found to be effective against various strains of Streptococcus from the early 1900’s to the present time.
Colloidal Silver Success Stories!
Since Streptococcus pyogenes is the cause of both strep throat and Scarlet Fever, I thought it interesting to include some real-life colloidal silver success stories demonstrating the effectiveness of colloidal silver against this pathogen.
These testimonials are from the Colloidal Silver Success Stories web site:
Saved My Son’s Arm From Cellulitis (Strep) Infection!
“I have two fascinating experiences to tell you about. The first one is about my son. He had gotten a cellulitis infection caused by strep [i.e., Streptococcus] in his finger.
He was treated by medical doctors, but lost the finger to prevent the infection from taking his arm.
Not much longer after that he got cellulitis again. This time I took matters into my own hands and treated him myself.
Each night for 5 nights I drove to his house and wrapped his hand and arm in colloidal silver-soaked gauze, wrapped it with plastic wrap and sealed it with Gentle Paper tape.
Each morning he would remove the wrap to allow air to get to the area. That procedure stopped the strep infection and saved his arm.”
-- Joyce M., AR
Cured My Wife’s Strep Throat Infection!
“My wife had pneumonia once, and colloidal silver alone made her well. Another time she had strep throat, and colloidal silver was what took it away. We no longer use other antibiotics...no need.”
-- M.K., OR
Works Instantly on Strep Throat!
"Whenever we use the micro-particle silver, it really works! It works waaaay better than the old fashioned silver solution! The micro-particle silver works almost instantly on strep throat, flying pig flu, cough, lung issues, near pnuemonia....high fever....We've had almost universal instant problem solving with it.”
-- Kathy W., KS
Began Healing Strep Throat in Just One Day!
"I am an elementary school secretary and right now strep throat is rampant there. Several days ago, I knew I was coming down with it, red sore throat with blisters, swollen glands.
Had some 30ppm CS from the health food store, put two dropper fulls in a bit of water, swished, gargled and swallowed it. The next day, my throat... was almost completely better!”
-- Dianne M.
Healed a Nasty Case of Strep In Just 3 Days!
"One of our earliest experiences with colloidal silver was when our then-16 year old son Ron came home from school with a red, inflamed throat that had huge white pus pockets.
His doctor took a throat culture and diagnosed it as strep throat. He gave us a prescription of some kind of penicillin derivative.
But we took Ron home, made a batch of colloidal silver, and had him drink 6 ounces of our homemade colloidal silver and gargle with an ounce every hour.
By the next day the pus pockets were nearly gone, and the inflammation was in retreat. Three days later he was fine. We never did have to give him the antibiotics."
-- S.B., CA
Again, the above anecdotal accounts, expert quotes and in vitro (i.e., test tube) clinical studies do not prove that colloidal silver will be effective in stopping Scarlet Fever, because no in vivo (i.e., in the human body) studies have yet been conducted.
But they do demonstrate the fact that silver-based antimicrobials are indeed effective against the Streptococcus pyogenes pathogen behind this deadly infectious disease – including the antibiotic-resistant strains.
Should this dread disease of old spread from China to the U.S., there is certainly enough clinical evidence available to warrant researchers to do additional studies on colloidal silver and other silver-based antimicrobials, for the sake of protecting the public!
As more information becomes available, I’ll report it on the Colloidal Silver Secrets Community on Facebook. Meanwhile, I remain…
Yours for the safe, sane and responsible use of colloidal silver,
Steve Barwick, author
The Ultimate Colloidal Silver Manual
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Important Note and Disclaimer: The contents of this Ezine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information conveyed herein is from sources deemed to be accurate and reliable, but no guarantee can be made in regards to the accuracy and reliability thereof. The author, Steve Barwick, is a natural health journalist with over 30 years of experience writing professionally about natural health topics. He is not a doctor. Therefore, nothing stated in this Ezine should be construed as prescriptive in nature, nor is any part of this Ezine meant to be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Nothing reported herein is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author is simply reporting in journalistic fashion what he has learned during the past 17 years of journalistic research into colloidal silver and its usage. Therefore, the information and data presented should be considered for informational purposes only, and approached with caution. Readers should verify for themselves, and to their own satisfaction, from other knowledgeable sources such as their doctor, the accuracy and reliability of all reports, ideas, conclusions, comments and opinions stated herein. All important health care decisions should be made under the guidance and direction of a legitimate, knowledgeable and experienced health care professional. Readers are solely responsible for their choices. The author and publisher disclaim responsibility or liability for any loss or hardship that may be incurred as a result of the use or application of any information included in this Ezine.
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2 comments:
In this article on Scarlet Fever, I don't understand why you include the comments/testimonials from people who used colloidal silver against strep throat. Please explain.
Well, Anonymous, it's very simple. As I explained in the article, the same pathogen that is responsible for Strep Throat is also responsible for Scarlet Fever. The comments/testimonials (i.e., anecdotal accounts) you refer to were merely used to help confirm that silver-based antimicrobials have been demonstrated to be effective against that particular pathogen.
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