Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that causes a distinctive pink-red rash. It is rare in the UK nowadays and is usually mild.
The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a widespread, fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch. It may start in one area, but soon spreads to many parts of the body, such as the ears, neck and chest. The rash may be itchy.
Someone with scarlet fever will develop a flushed, red face - hence the name scarlet fever - although the skin around the mouth stays white. The tongue may look a bit like a strawberry.
Other symptoms include swollen neck glands, especially if you generally feel unwell.
Read more about the symptoms of scarlet fever.
Symptoms usually develop one to four days after a person is infected.
Scarlet fever usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection (called impetigo) that is caused by particular strains of streptococcus bacteria.
Scarlet fever is also known as scarlatina, although this sometimes refers to a milder form of the disease.
How it spreadsScarlet fever is very contagious. It can be caught by breathing in bacteria in airborne droplets from an infected person's coughs and sneezes.Find out more about the causes of scarlet fever.
Who is affected?Anybody can catch scarlet fever, but it usually affects children aged four to eight years old. Because it's so contagious, scarlet fever is likely to affect someone who is in close contact with a person with a sore throat or skin infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. It may also affect someone who lives in a crowded environment, such as day care.You will only develop the symptoms of scarlet fever if you're susceptible to toxins produced by the streptococcus bacteria. Most children over 10 will have developed immunity to the toxins from streptococcal bacteria, and children under two will have acquired immunity from their mothers.
OutlookAlthough scarlet fever used to be a very serious disease, most cases today are mild.Scarlet fever is easily treatable with antibiotics, which must be taken for 10 days. Most people recover after four to five days.
Find out more about treating scarlet fever.
There is no evidence that catching scarlet fever when pregnant will put your baby at risk. However, pregnant women should tell healthcare staff if they are in contact with streptococcal infections, such as scarlet fever, around the time of the birth.
Scarlatina is caused by Group A streptococcal bacteria (S. pyogenes )
Once a patient has had scarlatina, they develop immunity and cannot develop it again
Early in the twentieth century, severe scarlatina epidemics were common. Today, the disease is rare
The chief diagnostic signs of scarlatina are the characteristic rash, which spares the palms and soles of the feet, and the presence of a strawberry tongue in children
D. Astley Gresswell has written: 'A contribution to the natural history of scarlatina' -- subject(s): Scarlatina
Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, gets its name from the fact that the patient's skin, especially on the cheeks, is flushed.For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section indicated below.
Dan Astley Gresswell has written: 'A contribution to the natural history of scarlatina derived from observations on the London epidemic of 1887-1888 ..' -- subject(s): Scarlatina
If treated promptly with antibiotics, full recovery is expected
This disease primarily affects children ages two to ten
Scarlet fever is also known as scarlatina
It gets its name from the fact that the patient's skin, especially on the cheeks, is flushed
This is not a contagious disease.The virus is contagious.