Question 1

what is scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

A form of strep. : Common symptoms are a sore throat, fever, and a red sandpaper rash. Diagnosis is confirmed with a throat culture.

Question 2

is scarlet fever  serious?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely: This infection due to group a beta-hemolytic streptococcus pyogenes is characterized by a sandpaper feeling red eruption with pale sparing often around the mouth.  It is due to an erythrogenic toxin produce by this organism.  Any grp a strep infection, if not treated appropriately, can lead to post-streptococcal complications like rheumatic fever.

Question 3

how is scarlet fever treated?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics: It is caused by the streptococcal bacteria and is treated with antibiotics.

Question 4

who does scarlet fever attack?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can get: Scarlet Fever, which is simply a strep infection with a rash. It is no more serious than a strep throat, and if diagnosed is easily treated with an antibiotic. It got a bad reputation from the book, The Velveteen Rabbit, which was written before we had antibiotics to easily treat strep/scarlet fever.

Question 5

best medicine for scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics: Scarlet fever is a rash caused by a strep infection somewhere in the body, usually strep throat although it can be in other areas.  Antibiotics such as penicillin or Amoxicillin are usually very effective.  Others can be used for people who are allergic to these drugs.  It is important to get treated quickly in order to prevent complications.

Question 6

what does scarlet fever look like?

Accepted Answer

Think sunburn: The color is like a sunburn & the feel is like sandpaper.It tends to start first in the under pants area, armpits & folds of the arms with an interesting pale halo around the mouth.If the if it started with a sore throat, the tongue is beefy red & tonsils swollen. It can be triggered by infection in other body areas.

Question 7

what are the tests of scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

Strep test: Scarlet fever is the common name for a rash generated by a chemical produced by some strains of group a streptococcus.
The rash generally starts to appear within 24hrs of an active  infection & continues to intensify until the germs begin to die off in treatment. Within weeks of the infection various blood tests might show the rise of strep antibody titers, but the mainstay of DX is a quick strep.

Question 8

how could someone catch scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

Easily: Scarlet fever is simply strep throat with a red bumpy rash.  It's caught primarily from close contacts who are infected.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

Rash: Fever, rash (typically sandpaper like),  headache, vomiting and sore throat.  It's caused by group a strep or the strep throat bug.  Sometimes people miss the sore throat and maybe even the fever.  After the rash you may get peeling of the hands and feet.  If you think you might have scarlet fever, see your doctor soon for a strep test and skin evaluation.

Question 10

is rheumatic the same as scarlet fever?

Accepted Answer

No: Different conditions produced by the same bacteria.  Group a strep is a bad actor.  Scarlet fever is caused by toxin production by this bug, while rheumatic fever is a reaction of the patient's immune system to infection by the organism.  Very different illnesses.

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