Scarlet fever
scarlet; fever; rashes; peel; skin; rough; strawberry; tongue; rheumatic; glomerulonephritis; kidney; streptococcal; strep; throat; quinsy;
Contents
Scarlet fever is an illness caused by bacteria (germs) that usually just causes an infection of the throat ('strep' throat). Toxins (poisons) that are sometimes released by the bacteria may cause scarlet fever and also may cause damage to other parts of the body.
It was complications of this infection that caused the death of Beth in "Little Women".
Scarlet fever is now rare in Australia.
Streptococcal sore throat
A streptococcal sore throat is a bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. The symptoms include fever, sore throat and tender, swollen glands in the neck.
Rarely the bacteria make a toxin (poison) which can be carried around the body in the blood. This toxin sometimes causes:
- Scarlet fever
- Quinzy (an abcess next to a tonsil)
- Rheumatic fever (causing damage to the heart)
- Glomerulonephritis (damage to the kidneys).
The bacteria causing the infection need to be treated with antibiotics (often penicillin) to prevent these complications.
The infection is spread by droplets of infected saliva from the mouth when the person sneezes and coughs, and from a runny nose .
How long does it take to develop?
A streptococcal infection takes from 1-3 days to develop after contact with someone who has it.
How long is a person infectious?
- An untreated person is infectious for two to three weeks after becoming unwell.
- A person is infectious for about a day after antibiotic treatment is started.
Scarlet fever- signs and symptoms
Scarlet fever is a rare reaction to a streptococcal infection.
- The person suddenly becomes ill with a high temperature, sore throat, swollen tonsils and neck glands, lack of appetite, vomiting and a general feeling of being unwell.
- Within 12 to 48 hours a fine red, raised rash appears on the neck, chest, under the arms, in the elbows and groin and the inside of the thighs.
- The rash looks like sunburn and feels like rough sandpaper.
- The face may look flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
- The rash lasts for about 2 to 5 days.
- Often the skin peels after the rash fades.
- Often the tongue looks redder than usual and the lumps on the tongue are larger than usual (something like a strawberry), often called 'strawberry tongue'.
- Any child with the signs of scarlet fever should be seen by a doctor straight away.
- People with scarlet fever need to treated with antibiotics to prevent complications.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen may be given for the high temperature and sore throat (see the topic 'Using paracetamol or ibuprofen').
- Give lots of drinks.
- Encourage rest while the child is unwell.
- Apply calamine lotion or another soothing lotion to the rash if it is uncomfortable.
The topic 'Feeling sick' has suggestions for caring for a sick child.
- The person with the infection needs to be kept away from others (isolated) until 24 hours after antibiotics are started.
- Children should cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze if they have a sore throat or runny nose.
- Good hand washing needs to be done all the time, as infections can spread before people are aware that they are infected.
- People with sore throats should not prepare food for others.
Campbell L in "Mosby's Pediatric Clinical Advisor", Garfunkel L C, Kaczorowski J, Christy C (Eds) Mosby 2002.
Department of Health (South Australia) - Communicable Disease Control Branch 'Streptococcal sore throat'
http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/ygw/streptococcal-pehs-sahealth-2009.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.