Do I Have Scarlet Fever (Scarlatina)?

Do you have a rash that first appears on your face or neck and later spreads to your torso, arms and legs?

Does your pink-red skin turn pale if you put pressure on it?

Do you feel itch in the affected area?

Do the folds of skin around your groin, armpits, elbows, knees and neck looks like dark red lines?

Does your face appear flushed with a pale ring around your mouth?

Do you have a white coating on your tongue?

Do you have swollen tongue that looks red and bumpy (strawberry tongue)?

Do you have fever of 101 F (38.3 C) or higher, often with chills?

Do you have very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches?

Do you have difficulty swallowing?

Do you have enlarged glands in your neck (lymph nodes) that are tender to the touch?

Have you lost your appetite?

Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Do you have headache?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. Bacteria, called group A Streptococcus produce a toxin that causes a specific “scarlet” skin rash after which the condition is named. Bacteria live in the nose and throat, and infected people spread bacteria by coughing or sneezing. Anyone can get scarlet fever, but it is more common in children aged 5 to 15 years. It takes 2 to 4 days between exposure and the onset of the symptoms. Scarlet fever is usually a mild infection that lasts around a week.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a scarlet fever. Scarlet fever (scarlatina) is a contagious disease caused by bacteria called group A strep. Scarlet fever occurs in a person who also has strep throat or a strep skin infection. It is characterized by a distinctive skin rash that often looks like a bad sunburn and may feel rough like sandpaper. Scarlatina is treated with antibiotics. An infected person is contagious up to 7 days before the onset of the symptoms until 24 hours after you take the first dose of antibiotics. Diagnosis is based on your symptoms, physical examination and a strep test.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is an infectious disease caused by a group A streptococcus bacteria. It is usually treated with antibiotics, but scarlet fever can also go away on its own without treatment. However, people who do not take antibiotics can be contagious up to 3 weeks after the onset of the symptoms. Treatment involves taking antibiotics for about 10 days. Once the infection is gone, it may take a few weeks for your lymph nodes and tonsils to return to normal. If left untreated scarlet fever can cause ear infection, sinusitis or pneumonia.