It appears on the trunk and limbs and looks like sunburn and feels like sandpaper. The rash lasts 2 to 5 days. During recovery, the skin may peel off the fingers and toes. Other common symptoms include headaches, nausea feeling sick and vomiting, not feeling hungry, and feeling generally unwell. How do I know I have scarlet fever? How long is it infectious?
You are no longer infectious 24 hours after you start taking antibiotics. Treatment of scarlet fever Treatment consists of a course of antibiotics usually penicillin to kill the bacteria and prevent serious complications that can sometimes occur, including heart rheumatic fever and kidney disease.
It is important to take all of the antibiotics your doctor prescribes. While you have the infection Paracetamol may reduce high temperature fever and relieve a sore throat. Talk to your doctor about pain relief.
Drink plenty of water. Get lots of rest. In general, scarlet fever is a mild infection. It usually takes two to five days for someone exposed to group A strep to become sick. Illness usually begins with a fever and sore throat. There may also be chills, vomiting, or abdominal pain. The tongue may have a whitish coating and appear swollen.
The throat and tonsils may be very red and sore, and swallowing may be painful. One or two days after the illness begins, a red rash usually appears. However, the rash can appear before illness or up to 7 days later. The rash may first appear on the neck, underarm, and groin the area where your stomach meets your thighs.
Over time, the rash spreads over the body. The rash usually begins as small, flat blotches that slowly become fine bumps that feel like sandpaper.
Although the cheeks might look flushed rosy , there may be a pale area around the mouth. Underarm, elbow, and groin skin creases may become brighter red than the rest of the rash.
The rash from scarlet fever fades in about 7 days. As the rash fades, the skin may peel around the fingertips, toes, and groin area. This peeling can last up to several weeks. Anyone can get scarlet fever, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this infection. Scarlet fever, like strep throat , is more common in children than adults. They are transmitted through either respiratory droplets or direct contact with infected respiratory secretions.
Scarlet fever can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Symptoms may be relieved by parallel use of fever-lowering drugs, more rest and replenishment of fluids. There is no vaccine available against scarlet fever.
Members of public are advised to reduce their chance of getting infection by adopting the following measures:. Scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that cause strep throat. In scarlet fever, the bacteria release a toxin that produces the rash and red tongue. The infection spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The incubation period — the time between exposure and illness — is usually two to four days. Children 5 to 15 years of age are more likely than are other people to get scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever germs spread more easily among people in close contact, such as family members or classmates. There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever.
The best prevention strategies for scarlet fever are the same as the standard precautions against infections:. If your child has scarlet fever, wash his or her drinking glasses, utensils, and, if possible, toys in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
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