What is scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by group A streptococci. The disease is most commonly associated with sore throat and is found in the mouth, nose, and throat of an infected person. The disease occurs most frequently in the late fall, winter and spring in the United States, presumably because of close person-to-person contact indoors and in schools.
Who gets scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever and streptococcal sore throat can occur in people of all ages, but it is most frequent among school-age children.
How is scarlet fever spread?
Scarlet fever usually results from direct contact with a person who has active streptococcal sore throat or through large respiratory droplets during coughing or sneezing.
What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is characterized by a sandpaper-like rash. The rash appears most often on the neck, chest, elbow, and groin, under the arms, and on the inner thighs. Typically, the scarlet fever rash does not involve the face, but there is flushing of the cheeks and paleness around the lips. High fever, nausea, and vomiting often accompany severe infections.
How soon after infection will symptoms appear?
Scarlet fever may occur one to three days after exposure to an infected individual.
Does past infection with scarlet fever make a person immune?
Immunity against the rash develops within a week after onset of scarlet fever and is usually permanent. Second attacks of scarlet fever are rare but may occur.
What is the treatment for scarlet fever?
Antibiotics such as penicillin, erythromycin, and cephalosporin are generally prescribed.
What can be done to prevent the spread of scarlet fever?
The most important means of controlling this disease is prompt identification and treatment of infections. It's important to cover one's mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands whenever possible. Children with streptococcal sore throat or skin infections should not return to school or day care until 24 hours after beginning antibiotic therapy, and until they have no fever. Close contact with other children should be avoided.
Preventive Health Services Administration
Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Control
825 North Capitol Street, NE
3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5899
