Some people with strep throat develop scarlet fever, a bacterial illness. It, also referred to as scarlatina, is characterised by a bright red rash that covers most of the body. A high fever and sore throat are almost always present in cases of this fever.
Children aged 5 to 15 are most commonly affected by it. Antibiotic treatments have reduced the threat of scarlet fever, despite the fact that it was formerly thought to be a serious childhood illness. However, it can lead to more serious conditions that impact the kidneys, heart, and other body parts if left untreated.
Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms include:
Red rash. The rash feels like sandpaper and has a sunburn-like appearance. Usually, it starts on the face or neck and moves to the arms, legs, and trunk. The reddened skin turns pale when pushed.
Lines in red. The skin folds around the neck, elbows, knees, groyne, and armpits typically turn a deeper shade of red than the other rash-affected areas.
Face flushed. There could be a pale ring around the mouth and a flushed face.
Tongue like strawberries. Early in the disease, the tongue is typically red, bumpy, and covered in a white coating.
It symptoms and indicators also consist of:
- fever with chills, usually 100.4 F (38.0 C) or higher
- extremely painful, crimson throat, occasionally with white or yellowish patches
- having trouble swallowing
- tender-feeling, enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
- vomiting or feeling queasy
- abdominal (belly) pain
- both body and headache aches
Usually, the rash and the facial and tongue redness last for a week or so. Following the resolution of these indications and symptoms, the rash-affected skin frequently peels.
Causes
Group A streptococcus, also known as group A strep, is the same type of bacteria that causes strep throat and also causes scarlet fever. The bacteria that causes scarlet fever releases a toxin that causes the rash and red tongue.
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets are released that allow the infection to spread from one person to another. The incubation period is typically two to four days, which is the interval between exposure and illness.
Factors at risk
Children between the ages of 5 and 15 have a higher risk of developing scarlet fever than do adults. Germs that cause scarlet fever are more likely to spread among close contacts, such as classmates, family members, or daycare centres.
The most common cause of scarlet fever is strep throat. Scarlet fever can occasionally follow a skin infection, like impetigo. Scarlet fever can strike a person more than once.
Complications
Untreated scarlet fever can result in the bacteria spreading to the:
- Tonsils
- Skin
- Blood
- central auditory organ
- Sinuses
- lungs
- the heart
- Kidneys
- Joints
- Mechanics
Rarely, rheumatic fever—a dangerous inflammatory illness that can harm the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system—can develop from scarlet fever.
A rare disorder known as paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with group A streptococci (PANDAS) has been linked to strep infections. Strep-related neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders, worsen in children with this condition. This relationship is still debatable and unverified as of right now.
Prevention
Scarlet fever cannot be prevented by vaccination. The same measures that are usually taken to avoid infections are also the most effective in preventing scarlet fever:
Hands up. Teach your child to properly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds using warm, soapy water. In the absence of soap and water, one can use hand sanitizer with an alcohol base.
Never share food or utensils at the table. Generally speaking, your child shouldn’t share eating utensils or drinking glasses with peers or classmates. This also holds true for sharing food.
Keep your nose and mouth shut. In order to stop the possible spread of germs, teach your child to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough.
Wash drinking glasses and cutlery in hot, soapy water or the dishwasher after your child uses them if they have scarlet fever.
