Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection tbat causes a sore throat, rash, and chills.

Once Dreaded

The disease "scarlet fever" once was dreaded by many people. The bacteria that cause scarlet fever are casy to spread, and in the 1800s there were epidemics. Children younger than 10 ycars of age were especially at risk of serious complications, such as rheumatic fever, or death. Scarlet fever was also a mysterious discase because it would infect only some members of a family and not others. A good example of scarlet fever's effect can be found in the 1868 book Little Women.

By the carly 2000s scarlet fever was not as deadly because antibiotics were available to fight the streptococcal bacteria that causes the infection.

A Sore Throat that Gets Worse

Scarlet fever is caused by exposure to someone who is infected with streptococcal bacteria. People with strep infection can spread it by sneezing or coughing. It can also be spread by sharing drinking glasses or cating utensils with people who are infected.

The first signs of scarlet fever usually appear within a week of exposure to the strep bacteria. A sore throat develops, which is called strep throat. But in some people,the particular kind of strep bacteria, known as Group A streptococcus, causes a toxic reaction. A skin rash appears within one or two days of the sore throat. It looks like a sunburn on the neck, chest, and underarms. Less often the rash can appear on the face or the groin. The skin feels rough, like sandpaper. Within a weck, the rash usually starts to fade, and flaking and peeling of the skin occur.

Scarlet fever also causes a fever with temperatures of more than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Glands around the jaw and neck swell and are painful. Chills, nausea, and vomiting can result.

In rare cases, scarlet fever also can result from a skin infection known as impetigo.

Without medical treatment, strep throat and scarlet fever can be serious. A doctor who suspects a strep infection uses a cotton swab to get a bit of the bacteria from the throat for laboratory testing to confirm that it is streptococcal bacteria. Treatment with antibiotics for 10 days usually kills the bacteria.

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