Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a disease caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus, the same bacterium that causes strep throat. Scarlet fever is a rash that sometimes occurs in people that have strep throat. The rash of scarlet fever is usually seen in children under the age of 18.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of scarlet fever are:

• A rash first appears as tiny red bumps on the chest and abdomen. This rash may then spread all over the body. It looks like a sunburn and feels like a rough piece of sandpaper. It is usually redder in the arm pits and groin areas. The rash lasts about 2-5 days. After the rash is gone, often the skin on the tips of the fingers and toes begins to peel.
• The face is flushed with a pale area around the lips.
• The throat is very red and sore. It can have white or yellow patches.
• A fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius) or higher is common. Chills are often seen with the fever.
• Glands in the neck are often swollen.
• A whitish coating can appear on the surface of the tongue. The tongue itself looks like a strawberry because the normal bumps on the tongue look bigger.

Transmission

The disease is spread through the mouth and nasal fluids of an infected person. If you touch your mouth, nose or eyes after touching something that has these fluids on them, you may become ill. Also, if you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as the sick person, you could also become ill. The best way to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands often and avoid sharing eating utensils.

Treatment

Scarlet fever can be treated with antibiotics.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.