Scarlet fever is a condition caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. Common symptoms of this condition include rash, fever, chills, and sore throat. This condition is usually seen in people under the age of 18 and occurs after throat or skin conditions such as strep throat. For unknown reasons, it has become less common in recent years. Treatment typically involves antibiotics that can kill the bacteria.
Also known by the name scarletina, scarlet fever most commonly occurs in children between the ages of four and eight years old. However, people of any age can catch scarlet fever. The infection is airborne, which means that it can be passed through the air by way of bacteria in sneezes and coughs. Although the infection is very contagious, the illness that occurs if infected is usually very mild. Symptoms of scarlet fever present themselves within two to four days of becoming infected.
Scarlet fever symptoms often begin with a sore throat. The main symptom is a red rash appearing over the body. The rash will be rough to the touch, similar to sandpaper. The rash has been known to spread over the entire body, but commonly affects the face, neck, chest, and groin area.
The scarlet fever rash does not usually show on the face, but the cheek area will become pink and flushed. The area around the mouth will stay quite pale. A quick check for scarlet fever is to press a glass to the red area. The red area will turn white when the pressure of the glass is applied.
There are a few other symptoms that accompany the scarlet fever infection. These can include headaches and a general feeling of illness. The sufferer may also experience loss of appetite and pain in the abdominal area. The glands in the neck may become swollen, and nausea or vomiting may also occur.
Other symptoms of scarlet fever to look out for are a white coating appearing over the tongue. This may disappear after a few days and leave the tongue swollen and red. Broken blood vessels may also occur over the body, usually in area such as the armpit.
The scarlet fever rash usually lasts for around a week and then fades away. It usually disappears without the need for treatment. However, treatment is advised in order to eliminate any complications and speed the recovery process. Treatment usually consists of ten days of antibiotics, usually an oral penicillin medication. Any fever will normally disappear within 24 hours of starting medication.
One of the most recognizable symptoms of scarlet fever is the red rash that a person develops when stricken with the disease. Other symptoms can include a tongue that has red bumps on it, also known as strawberry tongue, and fever. Someone with scarlet fever may also develop red streaks within the creases of his or her skin, have a headache, or just feel generally unwell. In addition, there may be vomiting, nausea, chills, and body aches. The tonsils and the lymph nodes located in the neck may also become swollen.
The symptoms of scarlet fever are caused when group A Streptococcus (strep) bacteria infects a person and emits toxins to which he or she is sensitive. These are the same bacteria that are responsible for strep throat, and in fact, a person with scarlet fever often contracts it because he has strep throat. The disease may also occur on account of a strep skin infection, though this is rare.
A red rash, one of the symptoms of scarlet fever, is a hallmark characteristic of the disease. The rash typically consists of small bumps that give the skin the texture of sandpaper. This rash often starts at the neck and then progresses to the chest and arms until it covers the entire body, producing red streaks in areas where the skin creases. While the face does not develop a rash, it does turn red, while the area around the mouth remains normal. After about six days, the rash will resolve and the skin may start peeling.
Another of the symptoms of scarlet fever is strawberry tongue. During the course of the disease, the tongue will have a white or yellowish coating. Red dots may also be visible. After four or five days, this white coating will peel, leaving a red tongue with red dots. This is where the term "strawberry tongue" gets its name.
The patient may also develop a fever in excess of 101°F (38.3°C) as one of the symptoms of scarlet fever. Tonsils may become swollen or red, may have a white coating, or may be speckled with pus. Lymph nodes, organs often called lymph glands, located in the neck may also become enlarged. To treat the disease, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. With treatment, the symptoms may clear up within 10 days, but without treatment a person may remain contagious for up to three weeks.
Scarlet fever in children is a contagious infection that is caused by a bacteria known as "group A streptococcus," or more commonly called "strep." The type of bacteria that causes this infection is a variation of the same bacteria that produces strep throat, so many of the symptoms for scarlet fever are the same as the symptoms for strep throat. When a child comes into contact with group A strep, whether it is spread by coughing, sneezing, or direct contact, it may cause infection with this type of step.
Group A strep is a type of bacteria that normally infects individuals' skin and throats. Generally, these infections only produce mild infections like impetigo or step throat. There are times, though, when this bacteria can cause a more harmful infection like scarlet fever in children.
When a child comes into contact with bacteria that can cause scarlet fever, he or she will rarely show symptoms for the first one to four days. After this period, known as the incubation time, the infection will start to appear as swollen lymph nodes, a high fever, and a red throat. The child's tongue may be white or yellow, or have white or yellow patches on it. During this time the bacteria will also release a toxin, or poison, into the child's body, which will appear as a red rash on the skin. A red, strawberry-like tongue is also a possible and common symptom of scarlet fever in children.
Even when directly exposed, children do not always become infected with the step infection. Many children are immune to the bacteria that causes scarlet fever in children. Other children, however, can be very sensitive to this type of bacteria and may develop scarlet fever more easily. For this reason, even if two children are in close contact almost every day, one child may contract scarlet fever while another may not.
There are many complications that are associated with scarlet fever. Most problems can be avoided or eliminated if quick medical attention is provided. Middle ear infections, soar throats, rheumatic fever, and pneumonia are some complications that may occur.
Antibiotics are generally used to treat scarlet fever in children. These will help to fight and treat the infection, as well as shorten the amount of time in which a child is contagious. Although many of the symptoms will fade within a week of taking the antibiotics, a child may still experience swollen glands and tonsils for a few weeks after. His skin may also peel after the rash fades away.
In general, scarlet fever treatment should be administered as early as possible. While the disease can disappear in as soon as a week with medication, if left untreated, it can lead to further, more serious, complications such as rheumatic fever. The typical scarlet fever treatment is usually similar to the treatment for strep throat, given that the two come from the same strain of bacteria. Penicillin is the antibiotic most commonly used, but erythromycin is sometimes used for those who are allergic to penicillin.
Over-the-counter painkillers and antihistamines can be useful in reducing pain or itchiness. Certain home remedies can also help to accelerate the recovery process. In addition, responsible scarlet fever treatment, especially for children, generally entails keeping the affected person out of close contact with others so as not to spread the infection.
Penicillin is most widely used as the primary agent in scarlet fever treatment due to its low cost and effectiveness. It can be administered orally or, in some cases, through injection. Erythromycin is usually given to those who are allergic to penicillin because it is capable of controlling a similar range of bacteria, but it is also more likely to induce stomach-related side effects, such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Patients should generally take their medication for the entire prescribed amount of time to prevent incomplete treatment and an increased risk of recurrence.
Just as in cases of strep throat, over-the-counter painkillers, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and certain steroids, can ease most pain or fever that may come with the condition. Prompt scarlet fever treatment usually controls infectiousness relatively quickly, but if a rash has formed, it may stay anywhere between several days to several weeks. Oral antihistamines and topical anesthetics can be useful during this time in relieving any itching, burning, or irritation.
Gargling and rinsing one's mouth with salt water can be a helpful complement to a physician's treatment. This home remedy can not only aid in controlling the bacteria, but also in easing the pain of a scarlet fever-induced sore throat. Individuals, especially children, with scarlet fever should increase their fluid intake and focus on softer foods so as not to further irritate the throat. Natural lotions may also be used to ease itching or irritation of the skin. Patients should avoid scratching their rashes as much as possible, and caretakers may have to trim their children's nails if this is an issue.
Lastly, temporary isolation from others is an essential aspect of any recovery process involving a disease as potentially contagious as scarlet fever. Both caretakers and those affected should wash their hands frequently. Personal items should be washed promptly and kept isolated as much as possible. It is also advisable for children and adults to rest at home and avoid school or work until they have started on antibiotics.