Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina

Strawberry tongue

Scarlet Fever or Scarlatina

     Scarlet Fever is a bacterial infection that develops in some people who have Strep. Throat and is caused by the same Group A Streptococcus. 

     Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever features a bright red rash that covers most of the body. Scarlet fever is almost always accompanied by a sore throat and a high fever.

     Scarlet fever is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age. Although scarlet fever was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made it less threatening. Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body.

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. If pressure is applied to the reddened skin, it will turn pale.
• Red lines. The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck usually become a deeper red than the surrounding 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.

The rash and the redness in the face and tongue usually last about a week. After these signs and symptoms have subsided, the skin affected by the rash often peels. Other signs and symptoms associated with scarlet fever include:

• Fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or higher, often with chills
• Very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches
• Difficulty swallowing
• Enlarged glands in the neck (lymph nodes) that are tender to the touch
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache

The period of infectivity & incubation period:

The infection spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The incubation period — the time between exposure and illness — is usually two to four days.

Treatment:

If your child has scarlet fever, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. Make sure your child completes the full course of medication. Failure to follow the treatment guidelines may not completely eliminate the infection and will increase your child's risk of developing complications. 

Your child can return to school when he or she has taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours, the rash is gone, and your child has been fever-free for 24 hours.

Complications:

Scarlet Fever can be mistaken for red measles, which is a serious mistake because treatment is completely different.  Untreated Scarlet Fever can result in serious kidney or heart disease.  Please see your doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has Scarlet Fever.

Prevention:

• Wash your hands. Show your child how to wash his or her hands thoroughly with warm soapy water.
• 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 his or her mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to prevent the potential spread of germs.
• If your child has scarlet fever, wash his or her drinking glasses, utensils and, if possible, toys in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher.