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Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococcus (GAS). [3] It most commonly affects children between five and 15 years of age. [1] The signs and symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. [1]
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Is scarlet fever a bacterial infection?
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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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Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that causes a red rash and a sore throat. Learn about the signs, complications and prevention of scarlet fever from Mayo Clinic.
Aug 23, 2024 · scarlet fever, acute infectious disease caused by group A hemolytic streptococcal bacteria, in particular Streptococcus pyogenes. Scarlet fever can affect people of all ages, but it is most often seen in children. It is called scarlet fever because of the red skin rash that accompanies it.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Mar 1, 2024 · Key points. Scarlet fever is an infection that causes a sore throat and a rash. Healthcare providers can do a quick test to see if it's scarlet fever. Antibiotics can help people with scarlet fever feel better faster.
Begins 1-2days after onset of illness. Starts on neck, axillae, groin, spreads to trunk and extremities. Red, finely punctate, sandpaper feel. Pastia lines: linear petechial eruptions in antecubital/axilla. Desquamation follows.
May 24, 2022 · Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is an infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. It’s the same bacteria that causes strep throat. The bacteria create a toxin (poison) that causes a bright red rash that spreads all over your body. That’s why it’s called scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever is a type of bacterial throat infection that also features a red (scarlet) rash. It is caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus. Symptoms include a very red sore throat, swollen glands, fever and a red rash that feels like sandpaper.
