Scarlet Fever
Scarlet Fever
Cause
Symptoms
Treatment
Complications
Group A Streptococcal (Beta hemolytic streptococcus pyogenis) pharyngitis with fever and a characteristic rash
Infection occurs by direct contact or respiratory droplets
Usually in children 5 to 15 years old
- Sand-like rash that appears in the first 24 to 48 hours of illness
- Starts on the face and moves to the trunck.
- Rash spares the palms and soles
- Starts with white strawberry tongue during the first two days then white sloughs off and the tongue becomes red and strawberry-like
- Fever, Headache, & Vomiting
- Cervical Lymphadenopathy
- Purulent Tonsillar exudate
Do a rapid strept test and treat with Penicillin or Amoxicillin if positive. Can do a throat culture as well
- Not common
- Abscesses around tonsils
- Ear, sinus, and skin infections
- Pneumonia
- Rheumatic fever (affects heart, joints, brain and skin)
- Post-Streptococcal glomerulonephritis (kidney involvement)
- Arthritis
To remember this disease, close your eyes and imagine a child with these symptoms
