Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by bacteria known as group A Streptococcus (GAS). GAS causes many other infections, but the strain of GAS bacteria that causes scarlet fever is different because it produces a toxin. The toxin causes the characteristic red skin rash for which scarlet fever is known. Scarlet fever is more common in children (ages 4-8) than adults. The infection often starts in the throat and has the symptoms of a typical strep throat but goes on to produce the skin rash. Scarlet fever is usually mild and resolves with antibiotic treatment. However, a small proportion of people experience very severe disease that may include bacterial invasion into the bloodstream (sepsis), tissues, or bone. Severe disease was more common before the discovery of antibiotics

Signs and Symptoms
+ sore throat
+ fever
+ headache
+ enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
+ fatigue
+ abdominal pain and vomiting(normally children)
+ skin rash(after two days start from chest-trunk-arms-legs)


Treatment
+ oral penicillin/amoxicillin(taken normally 10 days)