Scarlet Fever

Scarlet Fever, infectious disease caused by a bacterium called group A streptococcus, which also causes strep throat. The causative organism usually enters the body through the nose or mouth; it is transmitted from person to person by direct contact, that is, by sprays of droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected person, or by indirect contact through the use of utensils previously handled by an infected person. The disease most commonly affects children between the ages of two and ten.

The typical initial symptoms of the disease are headache, sore throat, chills, fever, malaise, and swollen glands in the neck. From two to three days after the first appearance of symptoms, red spots may appear on the palate; bright red papilla emerge on the tongue, giving it an appearance commonly called strawberry tongue. A characteristic rash of tiny red bumps with the texture of sandpaper appears on the chest and usually spreads over the entire body except the face. The rash usually fades in approximately a week, and at that time the skin begins to peel, usually on the fingers and toes. The fever, which frequently runs as high as 40° to 40.6° C (104° to 105° F), generally lasts only a few days but may extend to a week or longer.

Scarlet fever may be complicated by an infection of the middle ear mastoids or sinuses, or even by pneumonia. See also Rheumatic Fever. Occasionally, inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis) may develop after scarlet fever. Antibiotics are used to treat scarlet fever and the strep bacteria that causes it. Most instances of scarlet fever can be cured without the occurrence of permanent aftereffects.