Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that can sometimes follow strep throat. It's also called scarlatina. A key symptom is a bright red rash that spreads across much of the skin. People with scarlet fever usually have a painful sore throat and a high body temperature.

Scarlet fever is a contagious illness that often shows up with specific symptoms. One of the key features is a distinctive rash.

The Rash: The rash looks like a sunburn and feels rough, like sandpaper. It usually starts on the face or neck and spreads to the rest of the body, including the chest, arms, and legs. If you press on the red area, it temporarily turns pale.

Other Skin Changes: You'll also notice deeper red lines, or streaks, in the folds of your skin, such as the armpits, groin, elbows, knees, and neck. These red areas are more intense than the rest of the rash.

Facial Appearance: Your face might look flushed, with a pale area around your mouth.

Tongue: The tongue often appears red and bumpy, sometimes covered with a white coating in the early stages of the illness. This is often called a "strawberry tongue."

Other Symptoms: Scarlet fever can also cause:

• Fever: A temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher, sometimes with shivering.
• Sore Throat: Your throat will likely be very sore and red, possibly with white or yellow patches. Swallowing may be painful.
• Swollen Glands: Your neck glands (lymph nodes) might swell and be tender to the touch.
• Other Symptoms: You might experience nausea, vomiting, belly pain, headaches, and body aches.

How Long It Lasts: The rash, facial redness, and tongue changes usually clear up within a week. After the illness subsides, the skin affected by the rash may peel.

Important Note: If you suspect you or someone you know has scarlet fever, it's crucial to see a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential.

If your child has a sore throat, talk to their doctor right away if any of these things are also happening:

• High fever: A temperature of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher is a sign that the body is fighting something.
• Swollen or painful lymph nodes (glands): Swollen glands in the neck, that feel tender or painful to the touch, can be a symptom of infection. This means the body is trying to fight off something, and it's important to get checked out.
• A red rash: A skin rash that appears alongside a sore throat could be a sign of a more serious illness. It's important to get professional medical advice in these cases.

These symptoms could indicate a more serious illness, and a doctor can help determine the cause and the best treatment plan.

Scarlet fever is a contagious illness caused by a germ called group A Streptococcus, or strep. This same germ can also cause strep throat. When the strep bacteria multiply in the body, they release a harmful substance (a toxin). This toxin is what causes the characteristic skin rash and red tongue of scarlet fever.

The illness spreads easily from one person to another through tiny droplets in the air. These droplets are released when someone with scarlet fever coughs or sneezes. The time it takes for the illness to develop after someone is exposed (called the incubation period) is usually between two and four days.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that mostly affects children aged 5 to 15. It's more common in kids because the germs that cause it spread easily among people who are close together, like family members, kids in daycare or school, or classmates.

Usually, scarlet fever follows a strep throat infection. Sometimes, it can also follow a skin infection, like impetigo. It's possible for someone to get scarlet fever more than once.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection. If left untreated, this bacteria can spread to different parts of the body. This includes the tonsils, skin, bloodstream, middle ear, sinuses, lungs, heart, kidneys, joints, and muscles.

Untreated scarlet fever can sometimes lead to a more serious problem called rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammation that can hurt the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin.

In very rare cases, a connection has been suggested between strep throat (a common bacterial infection) and a condition called PANDAS. PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Group A Streptococcus. People with PANDAS seem to have worsening symptoms of conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or tic disorders when they have a strep infection. However, whether strep causes these worsening symptoms in PANDAS is still not completely understood and is a topic of debate among experts. More research is needed to confirm if there's a direct link.

Scarlet fever doesn't have a vaccine. Preventing it is mostly about following good hygiene practices, just like preventing other contagious illnesses.

Here are some simple steps:

• Wash your hands often: Make sure your child washes their hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. This is super important! Show them how to do it properly. If soap and water aren't available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative. Remind them to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and after playing outside.

• Avoid sharing items: Don't let your child share cups, plates, cutlery, or food with others. This helps keep germs from spreading.

• Cover coughs and sneezes: Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze. This stops germs from flying into the air and possibly infecting others.

• Clean shared items: If your child has scarlet fever, be extra careful about cleaning anything they use. Wash their cups, plates, and utensils in hot, soapy water or put them in a dishwasher immediately after they've been used. This helps stop the spread of the illness.

During a checkup, your doctor will examine your child's health in several ways:

1. Checking the throat, tonsils, and tongue: The doctor will look closely at your child's throat, tonsils, and tongue to see if they appear inflamed or unusual.

2. Checking the neck: The doctor will feel your child's neck to see if the lymph nodes (small glands) are swollen. Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of infection.

3. Checking for a rash: The doctor will also look for any rashes and assess their appearance and texture. A rash can be a symptom of many different illnesses, so it's important to assess it properly.

If the doctor suspects strep throat, they'll take a sample from your child's throat to check for the strep bacteria. This is done by gently swabbing the tonsils and the back of the throat.

A quick test, called a rapid strep test, can often find strep bacteria right away during the visit. If the rapid test is negative (meaning no strep bacteria are found), but the doctor still thinks strep might be the problem, they can order a more detailed test called a strep throat culture. This culture takes a bit longer to produce results.

It's important to test for strep bacteria because many illnesses can cause similar symptoms to strep throat, including scarlet fever. These other illnesses may need different treatments. If the strep test is negative, it means something else is causing the illness.

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics. It's crucial that your child takes all the medicine exactly as the doctor tells them. If they don't finish the entire course, the infection might not go away completely. This could lead to problems later on.

To help with the fever and sore throat, you can give your child ibuprofen (like Advil or Children's Motrin) or acetaminophen (like Tylenol). Always follow the dosage instructions carefully, as written on the medicine's packaging, or as your child's doctor recommends.

Your child can go back to school when they've been taking the antibiotics for at least 12 hours and their fever is gone. It's important to make sure the fever is completely gone before sending them back to school to avoid spreading the illness.

Easing Scarlet Fever Discomfort in Children

Scarlet fever can be uncomfortable for children. Here are some ways to help relieve their symptoms:

Rest is Key: Getting plenty of sleep is crucial for the body to fight off the infection. Keep your child at rest until they feel better, and keep them home until they've been fever-free for at least 24 hours and have taken antibiotics for at least 12 hours. This allows their bodies to recover fully.

Hydration is Important: Keeping the throat moist is essential. Plenty of water will help with swallowing and prevent dehydration, which can worsen symptoms.

Soothe the Sore Throat: For older children and adults, a saltwater gargle can provide relief. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of table salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Have them gargle, and then spit it out. Do this several times a day.

Moisturize the Air: Dry air can irritate a sore throat and make breathing difficult. Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air. Clean the humidifier daily to prevent bacteria and mold growth. A saline nasal spray can also help keep the nasal passages moist.

Natural Remedies: Honey can sometimes soothe a sore throat. However, it's important not to give honey to babies under 1 year old.

Gentle Foods: Offer foods that are easy to swallow and won't irritate the throat. Soups, applesauce, cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, soft fruits, yogurt, and soft-cooked eggs are good choices. If needed, you can puree foods in a blender to make them even easier to eat. Cold foods like sherbet, frozen yogurt, or fruit pops, and warm liquids like broth can also be soothing. Avoid spicy or acidic foods like orange juice, as these can further irritate the throat.

Avoid Irritants: Smoke, fumes from cleaning products, paints, incense, and essential oils can irritate a sore throat. Keep your child away from these irritants to help manage their discomfort.

Important Note: If your child's symptoms are severe or worsen, contact your doctor immediately. This information is for general guidance only, and should not replace professional medical advice.