Scarlet fever is a highly contagious disease, usually presenting in children between 5 and 15 years of age and manifests as a sore throat, high fever, very red tongue and redness and itching on the skin.
This disease is caused by the beta-hemolytic bacteria of group A strep and is a benign disease very common in childhood, being a form of tonsillitis that also has spots on the skin and that should be treated with antibiotics.
- Although it can cause a lot of discomfort and be extremely contagious.
- Scarlet fever is generally not a serious infection and can be easily treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin.
- The indicated treatment time is 10 days.
- But it is also possible to perform a single injection of benzyinic penicillin.
The most characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is the onset of a sore throat with a high fever, but other signs and symptoms that are also common include:
Several reddish spots may appear on the skin, with a texture similar to several pin heads and its appearance may even look like sandpaper. After 2 or 3 days, it is common for the skin to start peeling.
The diagnosis of scarlet fever is based on the pediatrician’s assessment of the signs and symptoms of the disease, but laboratory tests may also be requested to confirm the infection, which may include a quick test to identify the bacteria or a microbial culture of saliva.
Scarlet fever is transmitted through the air by inhaling droplets from the cough or sneezing of another infected person.
Scarlet fever, although more common in children, can also affect adults and can occur up to 3 times in life, as there are 3 different forms of bacteria that cause this disease. The times when children are most affected are spring and summer.
Closed environments promote the spread of disease, such as nurseries, schools, offices, cinemas and shopping malls. However, even if a person may come into contact with the bacteria responsible for the disease, this does not mean that they develop it, as it will depend on their immune system. Thus, if one of the brothers develops scarlet fever, the other can only suffer from tonsillitis.
Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, azithromycin or amoxicillin, which can kill bacteria from the body. However, in case of penicillin allergy, treatment is usually done with the antibiotic erythromycin to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
Treatment usually lasts between 7 and 10 days, but after 2 to 3 days, symptoms should subside or disappear. See more details on how treatment is performed and how to relieve scarlet fever symptoms.