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Does scarlet fever have long-term side effects?
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How long does scarlet fever last?
Long-term effects of scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is no longer contagious after you've been on antibiotics for 24 hours. The rash generally fades within a week, but can linger for up to two weeks in some patients. While rare, scarlet fever does have some complications if the strep bacteria spreads to other parts of the body. Complications include:
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The signs and symptoms that give scarlet fever its name include:
•Red rash. The rash looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper. It typically begins on the face or neck and spreads to the trunk, arms and legs. Pushing on the reddened skin makes it turn pale.
•Red lines. The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck usually become a deeper red than the other areas with the rash.
•Flushed face. The face may appear flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
•Strawberry tongue. The tongue generally looks red and bumpy, and it's often covered with a white coating early in the disease.
Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever also include:
Signs and symptoms that need emergency evaluation
In children and teens, any of the following symptoms need emergency evaluation: For infants less than 2 months old, additional symptoms needing emergency evaluation include:
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Scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat — group A streptococcus (strep-toe-KOK-us), also called group A strep. In scarlet fever, the bacteria release a toxin that produces the rash and red tongue.
The infection spreads from person to person by droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The incubation period — the time between exposure and illness — is usually 2 to 4 days.
Children 5 to 15 years of age are more likely than are other people to get scarlet fever. Scarlet fever germs spread more easily among people in close contact, such as family members, child-care groups or classmates.
Scarlet fever most often occurs after a strep throat infection. Sometimes scarlet fever may occur after a skin infection, such as impetigo. People can get scarlet fever more than once.
If scarlet fever goes untreated, the bacteria may spread to the:
•Tonsils
•Skin
•Blood
•Middle ear
•Sinuses
There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever. The best ways to prevent scarlet fever are the same as the standard precautions against infections:
•Wash your hands. Show your child how to wash hands thoroughly with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.
•Don't share dining utensils or food. As a rule, your child shouldn't share drinking glasses or eating utensils with friends or classmates. This rule applies to sharing food, too.
•Cover your mouth and nose. Tell your child to cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to prevent the potential spread of germs.
If your child has scarlet fever, wash drinking glasses and utensils in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher after your child uses them.
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Nov 10, 2022 · Scarlet fever is a condition that can develop in people, usually children, who have strep throat. It’s characterized by a bright red rash, high fever, and sore throat. Find out whether it’s...
Aug 10, 2023 · Causes. Symptoms. Diagnosis. Treatment. Complications. Prognosis. Prevention. What is scarlet fever (scarlatina)? Picture of rash on the arm due to scarlet fever. Source: CDC. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
Apr 6, 2022 · These may include nausea, vomiting, chills, headache, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Scarlet Fever Rash. The main symptom that sets scarlet fever apart from strep throat is a rash. Around 12 to 48 hours after the initial symptoms of scarlet fever appear, the telltale red rash and other symptoms specific to scarlet fever begin to show up.
May 24, 2022 · Scarlet fever causes a red, bumpy rash all over your body, hence the name. It affects mostly children, but it can affect adults too. While symptoms are uncomfortable (fever, sore throat, rash), antibiotic treatment will clear scarlet fever up quickly.
Jun 7, 2022 · Tests for the strep bacteria are important because a number of conditions can cause the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever, and these illnesses may require different treatments. If there are no strep bacteria, then some other factor is causing the illness.
