Scarlet Fever: Every Family Should Know

Scarlet Fever—Overview

Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is caused by Group A strep bacteria, the same bacteria that cause strep throat. It leads to fever, sore throat, and a unique, rough, red rash that starts on the neck or chest and spreads, leaving behind "strawberry tongue" and peeling skin. Antibiotics, like penicillin, have made it controllable, but it's still important to wash your hands and avoid sharing things to stop the disease from spreading.

Strawberry tongue

What makes scarlet fever happen?

• Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria cause scarlet fever. These are the same germs that cause strep throat, but some types make toxins that cause the red rash and "strawberry tongue." It gets passed on through coughing, sneezing, or direct touch with secretions that are infected. This symptom usually happens after someone has strep throat or a skin infection (impetigo). 
• It happens when you get Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep) in your body. Some types of these bugs make poisons. The red rash, fever, and other symptoms are caused by these toxins, especially in people who are not allergic to them. 
• The virus is spread by breathing in droplets from someone who is sick or coughing or sneezing. If you touch someone who has strep throat or their dirty towels or tools, you could get sick. Rub against sores from impetigo caused by GAS. 

Key Points: 

• It's very contagious and popular among kids in school (5–15 years old). 
• It often starts after having strep throat, but it can also happen after having skin diseases. 
• People who are sick with GAS do not get scarlet fever because they are not sensitive to the toxin. 

Can you get rid of scarlet fever?

If you have scarlet fever, your doctor will give you medicine. Make sure your kid takes all of his or her medicine as prescribed. Your child may not get rid of the infection if they don't follow the treatment instructions. These behaviors can increase their risk of getting problems.

Early flu-like symptoms: 

• High fever, sore throat (often from strep infection), headache, swollen lymph nodes in the neck; 
• A rash that looks like sandpaper and starts on the chest or stomach and spreads to the arms, legs, and face 12 to 48 hours after the fever starts; 
• On lighter skin, it looks pink or red; on darker skin, it's harder to see, but you can feel the bumps. 
• Taste buds get swollen and white at first, called a "white strawberry tongue." Later, they get bright red, called a "strawberry tongue."
• A red, swollen face with a pale area around the mouth • Peeling skin (mostly on the fingers, toes, and thighs) after the rash goes away

What the risks are and when to get help

• If you don't treat scarlet fever, it can get worse and cause rheumatic fever, kidney disease, and gout.
• Take your child to the doctor right away if they get a fever, sore throat, or rash.
• Antibiotics, like penicillin or amoxicillin, work well and lower the risk of side effects.

Why scarlet fever can be dangerous

• Risks if not treated: Rheumatic fever can damage heart valves. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis can cause kidney disease
• Problems with joints and arthritis
• Sore throats, ear infections, or boils
• Group of people most harmed by: The most at-risk age group is 5 to 15 years old.

How awful it is today:

• In the past, scarlet fever killed many children.
• It's usually a positive sign when you have modern medicines like penicillin, amoxicillin, etc.
• There is only danger if treatment or detection is delayed.

Scarlet fever in adults

• Adults don't get scarlet fever as often as kids do, but it can happen. Adults usually get it after having strep throat. They get a fever, a sore throat, and the familiar rash that looks like sandpaper. People can recover with quick antibiotics, but untreated cases can still lead to problems.

Key Facts About Adults with Scarlet Fever

It's caused by the same Group A Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria that make you get strep throat.

Adult signs and symptoms:

• The symptoms include a sudden onset of fever and sore throat.
• The patient may also experience headaches, feel sick, or experience vomiting. 
• A rash that resembles sandpaper spreads from the chest to the limbs, accompanied by a "strawberry tongue," which is characterised by red, bumpy skin.
• The face is flushed, and there is a pale area around the mouth.
• Close contact with sick children, primarily those aged 5 to 15, increases the risk.
• Having a weakened immune system or frequently experiencing strep infections increases the risk of complications.

Risks and Side Effects for Adults: 

• Risks for adults include rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, arthritis, and asthma. If you treat it, the symptoms generally subside within a week; antibiotics prevent the infection from spreading and causing complications. Adults may think the symptoms are "just strep throat," which can delay seeking help.

How to treat scarlet fever

The video provides advice for parents regarding strep A and scarlet fever.

• Antibiotics, like penicillin or amoxicillin, are used to treat scarlet fever. They kill the strep bacteria, shorten the illness, and prevent problems from happening. Supportive care, such as rest, water, and painkillers, can help someone get better.

Standard Care for Scarlet Fever: 

• Antibiotics (must have): Penicillin or amoxicillin should be used first. If you are allergic to penicillin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or clindamycin should be used instead. Treatment should last for 10 days, but shorter courses may be possible with some options.
• Shortens the time that the infection can spread (after 24 hours of antibiotics, the risk drops greatly)
• Help with symptoms (supportive care)
• Staying hydrated and getting enough rest 
• Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever and throat pain 
• Warm drinks, saltwater gargles, and lozenges to soothe the throat
• Soft foods will help with eating problems.

Risks if Not Treated

• Rheumatic fever can cause damage to the heart valves. 
• The condition known as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis can cause the kidneys to swell.
• These conditions include arthritis, ear infections, and pneumonia.  

Main points

•  Antibiotics are the most important part of healing.
• Supportive care makes the symptoms better, but it doesn't get rid of the infection.
• Getting treatment early stops major problems and stops the disease from spreading.
• Both kids and adults should see a doctor right away if they have a fever, sore throat, or rash.

How long does it take to treat scarlet fever?

Typical Treatment Length

• Penicillin or Amoxicillin (first-line) • Standard course: 10 days • Most successful at preventing complications like rheumatic fever • Other antibiotics that can be used if you are allergic to penicillin
• Azithromycin: usually 5 days. Clarithromycin or clindamycin: usually 10 days. Length of time for symptoms.
• Fever and sore throat get better 24 to 48 hours after taking antibiotics. • Rash goes away in about a week. 
• Peeling skin may last for weeks after the rash goes away. 

How to stop scarlet fever

Scarlet fever can mostly be avoided by limiting touch with strep bacteria through excellent hygiene, getting treatment for strep throat quickly, and staying away from people who are already sick.

Key Strategies for Preventing

• Treat strep throat right away

• Scarlet fever happens when strep infections are not handled.

Early antibiotics stop the infection from getting worse and avoid problems.

• Taking care of your health

• Use soap and water to wash your hands often.
• Show kids how to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze.
• Don't share drinks, utensils, or towels.

Do not get too close.

• Sick people should stay home for 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
• Don't receive too much exposure in busy places like schools or daycares.

 Care for the environment

• Clean areas that receive a lot of use, like doorknobs, toys, and phones.
• Wash in hot water the bedding and clothes of sick people.

Concerns and Risks

• There is no protection against scarlet fever.
• Hygiene and early care are the only ways to stop it.
• Kids ages 5 to 15 are the most at risk, so families and schools should be extra careful.

Conclusion

Group A strep germs cause scarlet fever, a disease that mostly affects kids but can also happen to adults. First, you get a fever and sore throat. Then you get a unique rash and pink tongue.

Thanks to medicines, scarlet fever is not as dangerous as it used to be. If you catch it early and get the right care, you can get better quickly and rarely have problems.