Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause scarlet fever. Group A strep live in the nose and throat and can easily spread to other people. It is important to know that all infected people do not have symptoms or seem sick. People who are infected spread the bacteria by coughing or sneezing, which creates small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. Experts do not believe pets or household items, like toys, spread these bacteria. In general, scarlet fever is a mild infection.
It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become sick. Illness usually begins with a fever and sore throat. There may also be chills, vomiting, or abdominal pain. The tongue may have a whitish coating and appear swollen. The throat and tonsils may be very red and sore, and swallowing may be painful. One or two days after the illness begins, a red rash usually appears. However, the rash can appear before illness or up to 7 days later.
The rash may first appear on the neck, underarm, and groin the area where your stomach meets your thighs. Over time, the rash spreads over the body. The rash usually begins as small, flat blotches that slowly become fine bumps that feel like sandpaper.
Although the cheeks might look flushed rosy , there may be a pale area around the mouth. Underarm, elbow, and groin skin creases may become brighter red than the rest of the rash. The rash from scarlet fever fades in about 7 days.
As the rash fades, the skin may peel around the fingertips, toes, and groin area. This peeling can last up to several weeks. Anyone can get scarlet fever, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this infection. Scarlet fever, like strep throat , is more common in children than adults.
It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old. If you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as the sick person, you could also become ill. It is possible to get scarlet fever from contact with sores from group A strep skin infections.
Illness usually begins with a fever and sore throat. There also may be chills, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The tongue may have a whitish coating and appear swollen. It may also have a "strawberry"-like red and bumpy appearance. The throat and tonsils may be very red and sore, and swallowing may be painful. One or two days after the illness begins, the characteristic red rash appears although the rash can appear before illness or up to 7 days later.
Certain strep bacteria produce a toxin poison which causes some people to break out in the rash-the "scarlet" of scarlet fever. The rash may first appear on the neck, underarm, and groin the area where your stomach meets your thighs , then spread over the body.
Typically, the rash begins as small, flat red blotches which gradually become fine bumps and feel like sandpaper. Let patients know that they can become infected with scarlet fever more than once.
Red rash is a classic symptom. The classic symptom of scarlet fever is a red rash that feels like sandpaper which appears days after the illness begins and generally lasts for days. Other symptoms also include a headache, fever, sore throat, swollen tonsils, chills, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Treatment with antibiotics is important to prevent complications. Strep tests should be performed to determine whether group A strep is causing the illness.
Penicillin or amoxicillin are the drugs of choice for treating group A streptococcal infections. Antibiotic therapy is recommended for 10 to 14 days. First-generation cephalosporins can be used as an alternative therapy as long as patients did not have an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin.
Clindamycin or erythromycin are alternative treatments for patients unable to take penicillin or cephalosporins. Educate patients to complete the full antibiotic treatment to prevent resistance and the following long-term health problems:.
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