How does scarlet fever attack

However, people of any age can get the illness. As it's so contagious, scarlet fever is likely to affect someone in close contact with a person with a sore throat or skin infection caused by streptococcus bacteria.

Outbreaks often occur in nurseries and schools where children are in close contact with one another. The symptoms of scarlet fever will only develop in people susceptible to toxins produced by the streptococcus bacteria.

Most children over 10 years of age will have developed immunity to these toxins. It can easily be treated with antibiotics. Liquid antibiotics, such as penicillin or amoxicillin, are often used to treat children. These must be taken for 10 days, even though most people recover after four to five days. It's important to be aware that your child will still be infectious for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun, and therefore they shouldn't attend nursery or school during this period see below.

Read more about treating scarlet fever. With the right treatment, further problems are unlikely. However, there's a small risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body and causing more serious infections, such as an ear infection , sinusitis , or pneumonia.

Read more about complications of scarlet fever. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them away from nursery or school for at least 24 hours after starting treatment with antibiotics. Adults with the illness should also stay off work for at least 24 hours after starting treatment. GPs, schools and nurseries should be aware of the current high levels of scarlet fever and inform local health protection teams if they become aware of cases, particularly if more than one child is affected.

Children and adults should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands with soap and water after using or disposing of tissues. However, the incubation period the time between exposure to the infection and symptoms starting can be as short as one day or as long as seven days. The symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat , headache , high temperature The distinctive pink-red rash develops 12 to 48 hours later.

Red blotches are the first sign of the rash. These turn into a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch and looks like sunburn. It may also be itchy. The rash usually starts on the chest and stomach, but soon spreads to other parts of the body, such as the ears, neck, elbows, inner thighs and groin. The rash doesn't usually spread to the face. However, the cheeks become flushed and the area just around the mouth stays quite pale. The rash will turn white if you press a glass on it.

The rash usually fades after about a week, but the outer layers of skin, usually on the hands and feet, may peel for several weeks afterwards.

See your GP as soon as possible if you think you or your child has scarlet fever. Although the illness usually clears up after about a week, your GP will be able to confirm a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Most cases of scarlet fever clear up after about a week without treatment. However, treatment is recommended.

Treatment reduces the length of time you're contagious, speeds up recovery and lowers the risk of complications of scarlet fever. For more information on strep throat, see the topic Strep Throat.

The most noticeable symptom of scarlet fever is a rough, red rash that feels like fine sandpaper. The rash usually appears 24 hours after the fever starts.

The rash begins on the chest and abdomen and then spreads over the rest of the body within 1 to 2 days. The rash and redness are more apparent in skin folds, especially in the groin, armpits, and elbow creases. It usually fades in about a week, and at that time the skin may begin to peel. After the skin starts to peel, bright red spots may appear on the tongue, giving it an appearance called "strawberry tongue.

Diagnosis of scarlet fever is usually based on a medical history, an examination of the throat, and a throat culture or rapid strep test to test for strep bacteria. One or both of these tests are needed to confirm infection with strep bacteria. Scarlet fever and the strep infection that causes it are treated with antibiotics. Complications of scarlet fever include infection of the middle ear , sinusitis , and pneumonia. In rare cases, a more serious infection may develop, such as rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease.

Most cases of scarlet fever can be cured without any permanent complications. Mintz MD - Otolaryngology. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Scarlet fever The red rash of scarlet fever usually begins on the face or neck, later spreading to the chest, trunk, arms and legs.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Ferri FF. Scarlet fever. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Nov. Scarlet fever: A group A streptococcal infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Steer A, et al. Acute rheumatic fever: Epidemiology and pathogenesis.

Van Driel ML, et al. Different antibiotic treatments for group A streptococcal pharyngitis.