Scarlett Fever (Scarlatina) - Medtick

Scarlett Fever (Scarlatina)

What is it?

Scarlet fever is highly contagious viral condition and last for around a week.

  • It occurs generally in children but not all children show symptoms, but can still infect others.
  • There is seasonal variations and there are sometimes outbreaks in schools or other institutions (crowded areas).
  • Scarlet fever is usually a mild, self-limiting disease that lasts around one week. After the rash is resolved, skin peeling (desquamation) of the tips of the finger digits and, to a lesser extent, the limbs and trunk occurs.

Diagnosis Tests

  • The Centor scoring system has been used to identify streptococci infections.
    • Patients with four of these signs have a 25–86% chance of GAS infection; conversely, patients with one of these signs have a 2–23% chance of GAS infection (depending on age, local prevalence and seasonal variation) and other diagnoses should be considered.
    • The score is not validated for use in children under three years of age.

Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Management of sore throat and indications for tonsillectomy. A national clinical guideline. SIGN Guideline 117. Edinburgh: SIGN 2010.

Countries where outbreaks have occurred are:

Europe & Russia

  • United Kingdom

Contagious

If not treated with antibiotics, can be infectious for two to three weeks after the onset of symptoms (with antibiotics it remains infectious for 24 hours after starting treatment).

Medication

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours and approximately 12-48 hours later a rash appears?
  • Ear infection (earache longer than four days) or an ear discharge?
  • Red blotches rash (like boiled lobster appearance) which turns into a fine pink-red (sunburn) rash with goose pimples that when touched feels like sandpaper (can cover whole body)?
  • Rash start from one place and spread, on the face, cheeks, appears flushed and area around mouth pale and or ‘strawberry tongue’ (rash will last approximately 6 days)?
  • Pastia lines (red streak appearance where skin folds due to broken blood vessels) i.e. armpits, groin, under the stomach, fingers and toes (which can be there up to six weeks)?
  • Peeling skin (on hands and feet can last up to six weeks)?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • White coating on tongue, when peeled away leaving it sore and red and swollen?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Diarrhoea?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:


This condition can lead to:

  • Skin infection
  • Peritonsillar/retropharyngeal abscess- boils and/or large spots develop in the throat and tonsils.
  • Cervical lymphadenitis- swelling lumps in under the ear on the neck.
  • Mastoiditis– serious bacterial infection that affects the mastoid bone behind the ear.
  • Short term sinusitis
  • Otitis media
  • Septic arthritis – severe bone and joint pain caused by bacterial infection

General tips

  • Coughing and sneezing into tissues and then bin it, if you have no tissue then in the crook (inside)  of your elbow.
  • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with infected people (2 meter distance)
  • Do not share towels and utensils, dishes , drinking glasses
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • How to wash Hands
  • Self isolate guide
  • Social distancing guide

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Scarlett Fever (Scarlatina) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • Medscape

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal

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  • Healthline

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  • Medical News Today

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Fit for Travel

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  • DR Axe

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