Scarlet fever

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Overview

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever features a bright red rash that covers most of the body. Scarlet fever almost always includes a sore throat and a high fever.

Scarlet fever is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age. Although scarlet fever was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made it less threatening. Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body.

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Diagnosis & treatment
June 07, 2022
Print
  1. Ferri FF. Scarlet fever. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021.
  2. Scarlet fever: All you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/scarlet-fever.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021.
  3. Scarlet fever: Information for clinicians. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/scarlet-fever.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021.
  4. Streptococcal infections. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/gram-positive-cocci/streptococcal-infections. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021.
  5. AskMayoExpert. Scarlet fever (child). Mayo Clinic; 2021.
  6. Acute rheumatic fever: Information for clinicians. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-hcp/acute-rheumatic-fever.html. Dec. 21, 2021.
  7. Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sore-throat.html. Accessed Dec. 21, 2021.
  8. Drutz JE. Acute pharyngitis in children and adolescents: Symptomatic treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 22, 2021.
  9. Pichichero ME. PANDAS: Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococci. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 22, 2021.
  10. Ristagno EH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Dec. 23, 2021.

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Scarlet fever