Understanding Scarlet Fever

Imagine my surprise when I was told by our pediatrician that my children had come down with Scarlet Fever - "Isn't that what killed all the pioneers?" I asked incredulously. Somehow, I assumed such an old-fashioned disease had been eradicated with polio. But, in fact, children do still get scarlet fever, but it can be effectively treated with antibiotics and may be no worse than other typical childhood diseases.

Scarlet Fever is an acute infection that is caused by group A betahemolytic streptococcus. The bacteria produces a strong toxin that, when absorbed into the blood stream, causes symptoms of fever, headache, rapid pulse, vomiting, and rash. It is the rash which has given scarlet fever its name. If a child develops an illness that seems like strep throat, along with rash, there is a good chance it is scarlet fever.

The rash begins looking like a severe sunburn with tiny bumps. It also may itch (it did for my children). usually appearing on the face and neck first, leaving a clear unaffected area around the mouth, it then spreads to the chest and back and throughout the rest of the body. After about a week, the rash will fade and the skin may peel.

It is common for scarlet fever to start with a sudden onset of a high fever (101 degrees or more), vomiting and a sore throat. The infected person will actually feel and appear quite ill and then the rash will take hold. If you look into the throat, it will be very red and there may be some pus on the tonsils, neck glands are swollen, and it presents like a typical strep throat - with the rash.

It is important to see a doctor as the illness must be treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. If the physician suspects scarlet fever, a throat culture will be taken and tested. Upon confirmation, antibiotics will be prescribed and will likely need to be taken for about ten days.