Scarlet Fever: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Scarlet fever, or scarlatina, is a bacterial an infection that causes a particular shiny purple sandpaper-like rash. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep)—the identical micro organism chargeable for strep throat—causes scarlet fever. 

Scarlet fever was a critical and life-threatening situation previously, nevertheless it’s now simply treatable with antibiotics. With out therapy, scarlet fever can result in issues like rheumatic fever and have an effect on the joints and main organs like the center, kidneys, and mind. 

Anybody can develop scarlet fever, nevertheless it mostly impacts youngsters. Roughly 5 in 1,000 youngsters in the US develop scarlet fever every year.

Scarlet fever signs sometimes develop inside a day or two after an infection with group A strep micro organism and progress in phases. It often begins with a sore throat and fever earlier than a purple, sandpaper-like rash seems. 

Early Signs 

The primary indicators of scarlet fever are much like different bacterial and viral infections and should embody: 

• Fever of 101 levels Fahrenheit (38.3 levels Celsius) or greater, usually with chills
• Sore throat and painful swallowing
• Headache 
• Physique aches
• Abdomen ache 
• Nausea
• Vomiting 

Pores and skin Signs

A purple rash is the hallmark symptom of scarlet fever. It often seems 1-2 days after the fever begins however can seem earlier or later. The rash: 

• Begins on the neck, underarms, or groin earlier than spreading throughout the physique
• Initially seems as small, flat blotches earlier than transitioning to tiny bumps that really feel tough like sandpaper
• Seems brighter purple in pores and skin creases, such because the elbows, underarms, and groin
• Leaves a pale space across the mouth
• Fades after a few week, adopted by peeling pores and skin on the arms, toes, and groin

Throat and Mouth Signs

Scarlet fever additionally causes noticeable adjustments within the throat and tongue: 

• White coating on the tongue (early symptom)
• Shiny purple and bumpy tongue, often known as “strawberry tongue” (later symptom)
• Throat redness, with swollen tonsils and white patches or streaks of pus
• Petechiae (small purple spots) on the roof of the mouth
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes (glands) within the entrance of the neck 

Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A strep micro organism, causes scarlet fever. Scarlet fever happens when these micro organism launch dangerous toxins into the physique, resulting in signs like a purple rash and sore throat.

Group A strep micro organism stay within the mouth and nostril and unfold by respiratory droplets when an contaminated particular person talks, coughs, or sneezes. You may also get sick by touching contaminated surfaces after which touching your face or sharing the identical utensils, cups, or plates with somebody contaminated. The micro organism is very contagious and spreads shortly in close-contact environments like faculties and daycare facilities. 

Threat Components

Folks of all ages can get scarlet fever, however sure components can elevate the danger of an infection, together with:

• Age: Scarlet fever is most typical in youngsters aged 5-15. 
• Spending time in crowded settings: Group A strep is very contagious and spreads shortly in crowded settings, like faculties, daycare facilities, army coaching services, and homeless shelters. 
• Latest strep an infection: A latest strep throat or impetigo an infection can grow to be scarlet fever. 

Healthcare suppliers diagnose scarlet fever by reviewing your signs and doing a bodily examination. Throughout the examination, your healthcare supplier will search for the seen indicators of scarlet fever, together with a purple, bumpy rash, a pale space round your mouth, a yellow-white coating in your tongue (within the early phases), or a shiny purple tongue (strawberry tongue).

As a result of different diseases may cause comparable signs, healthcare suppliers use diagnostic assessments to substantiate the presence of group A strep micro organism and rule out different situations. 

These assessments embody: 

• Fast antigen detection take a look at (RADT): A speedy strep take a look at includes swabbing your throat and testing the swab to test for group A strep micro organism. Outcomes are prepared inside quarter-hour. 
• Throat tradition: Fast strep take a look at outcomes are typically inaccurate, so your healthcare supplier might order a throat tradition to substantiate the prognosis. This includes swabbing the again of your throat and sending the swab to the lab. Outcomes are often prepared after 2-3 days.

To deal with scarlet fever, healthcare suppliers prescribe antibiotics, which kill the micro organism chargeable for the an infection. Most individuals begin feeling higher inside a day or two of taking antibiotics, nevertheless it’s vital to finish the whole course to eradicate all of the infection-causing micro organism. Your healthcare supplier might prescribe antibiotics corresponding to: 

• Penicillin: Oral capsules or liquid (taken by mouth) taken a number of instances every day for 10 days
• Amoxicillin: Oral capsules or liquid, taken a couple of times every day for 10 days
• Benzathine penicillin G: An intramuscular injection (shot) administered in a single dose

You probably have an allergy to penicillin or amoxicillin, your healthcare supplier will prescribe totally different antibiotics, corresponding to cephalexin, azithromycin, cefadroxil, or clarithromycin. 

Whereas antibiotics deal with the an infection, at-home measures can hold you snug and assist reduce fever and soothe a sore throat: 

• Take over-the-counter (OTC) ache relievers, corresponding to Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen)
• Gargle with heat salt water a number of instances every day 
• Drink heat natural tea with honey 
• Suck on throat lozenges 
• Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer

Scarlet fever spreads by respiratory droplets, so avoiding people who find themselves sick and practising good hygiene are the most effective methods to guard your self from group A strep micro organism. To scale back the danger of scarlet fever:

• Wash arms ceaselessly: Wash your arms recurrently with cleaning soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
• Keep away from shut contact with sick folks: Keep away from shut contact with folks with strep throat or scarlet fever, and do not share utensils, cups, or private objects
• Cowl coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or elbow to forestall micro organism from spreading by the air

Though issues of scarlet fever are uncommon, they will happen if the micro organism unfold to different physique areas. Most issues are preventable by treating scarlet fever with antibiotics. Potential scarlet fever issues embody: 

• Rheumatic fever: An inflammatory illness that may develop weeks after an infection, affecting the center, joints, pores and skin, and mind
• Submit-streptococcal glomerulonephritis: An inflammatory kidney illness that may develop as a result of an immune response to group A strep micro organism, inflicting darkish (red-brown) urine, decreased urination, swelling, and fatigue 
• Ear infections: When micro organism unfold to the center ear, inflicting ache, fluid buildup, and listening to issues
• Pneumonia: Happens when group A strep micro organism infect the lungs; occurs in uncommon circumstances
• Abscesses: Abscesses (pockets of pus) across the tonsils attributable to infections within the throat

Scarlet fever is a bacterial an infection attributable to Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep). It primarily impacts youngsters and causes signs like fever, sore throat, and a purple, sandpaper-like rash. Different signs embody “strawberry tongue,” swollen lymph nodes, and peeling pores and skin because the rash fades.

Antibiotics are the usual therapy for scarlet fever. You may decrease your threat of scarlet fever by avoiding contact with people who find themselves sick and washing your arms recurrently. 

Recognizing the signs of scarlet fever early and looking for medical care can guarantee a fast restoration and scale back the danger of issues.