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Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a contagious bacterial infection that usually affects young children aged 5–15 or people with strep throat. Though it is a severe child infection, scarlet fever is less threatening with antibiotic treatments. If not treated, it can affect the kidneys, heart, and other body parts. 

Scarlet fever symptoms

Primary signs include,

  • Red rash that feels like sandpaper and looks like a sunburn typically begins in the face and moves downward.
  • Red lines, folds of skins around armpit, elbows, neck, knees, and groin.
  • Flushed face, usually with a pale ring near the mouth.
  • Red and bumpy tongue, often covered in white coating at the early stage of the infections.

The redness and rashes all over the body will probably last for a week, and the affected skin will peel. 

Other symptoms are more typical signs of flu, like:

  • Increase in body temperature, 100.4F or more
  • Red and sore throat
  • Hard to swallow
  • Enlarged glands, usually in the neck
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Stomach ache
  • Body and headaches

Scarlet fever is an emergency if:

  • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Drooling
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Dizziness

For infants:

  • Unable to comfort
  • Rapid breathing that often comes and goes
  • Temperature either lesser than 96.0 F or higher than 100.4 F
Scarlet fever symptoms

Scarlet fever preventions

  • Wash your hands more frequently and teach children to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid sharing food utensils.
  • Throw the used tissues in the bin as soon as possible.
  • Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. 

Is scarlet fever dangerous?

Scarlet fever can be a severe bacterial infection if not treated sooner. Rarely, it can lead to complications during or after the infection. They are:

  • Throat abscess
  • Ear infection
  • Sinusitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Meningitis 

No studies suggest that scarlet fever during pregnancy will affect the baby inside. But it can make a pregnant woman sick, so avoid close contact with people who have the infection. 

Scarlet fever treatments

A doctor will prescribe antibiotics that will:

  • Lower the chances of severe illnesses
  • Helps you to get well quick
  • Make it less likely to spread the infection to others

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022