Scarlet fever: causes, symptoms, therapies

Scarlet fever is the only exanthematous disease of childhood to be caused by bacteria and not viruses. Here are the typical signs.

What is it

Scarlet fever is counted among the exanthematous diseases of the pediatric age because it is characterized, in addition to pharyngitis, by a characteristic punctiform rash.

In fact it is an infectious disease of childhood but, unlike the others, which are viral (see table), it is caused by bacteria, more specifically by particular strains of streptococcus.

The infection occurs, in most cases, by air (inhalation of secretions emitted by coughing, or even just talking, by those who are already infected), but it can also occur by skin contact.

Exanthematous disease Virus
Roseola infantum (sixth disease)
Human herpesvirus 6B
Measles Morbillivirus
Chickenpox Varicella zoster
Rubella Rubella virus
Infectious erythema (fifth disease) Parvovirus B19

Causes

The cause of scarlet fever is a beta hemolytic streptococcus of group A, capable of producing a particular toxin that is responsible for the onset of skin manifestations.

Three different types of toxin are known, which explains why scarlet fever can recur if the child is infected with a strain that produces a different toxin from the one to which it was previously exposed and against which it was therefore immunized.

The lower probability of scarlet fever in the first year of life compared to older children may be justified by the persistence in the baby of protective antibodies inherited from the mother during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Most common symptoms

Once the infection has occurred, after three days of incubation, the classic signs of streptococcal pharyngitis appear: high fever (39-40 ° C), sore throat, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache.

The exanthema, consisting of detected spots of one to two millimeters in diameter that discolor under pressure, manifests itself starting from the root of the limbs and within 24 hours extends to the entire skin surface with the exception of the area around the mouth, on the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet.

Within the following week, diffuse desquamation phenomena are observed. Another characteristic sign is the strawberry tongue.

Complications

If streptococcal infection is treated promptly with suitable antibiotics, scarlet fever does not give rise to any complications. It behaves like any other group A beta hemolytic streptococcus pharyngitis: if not properly treated, rheumatic disease and glomerulus nephritis may appear.

Treatment

Once the diagnosis has been made, which can be further confirmed by a rapid test or pharyngeal swab, the therapy uses a course of anti-biotics aimed at eradicating streptococcus.

The administration of the antibiotic quickly annihilates the contagiousness which, however, begins one to two days before the appearance of the exanthema.

Against the symptoms, analgesics and antipyretics are used to soothe sore throats and reduce fever.

When to consult your doctor

The doctor should always be consulted, as specific antibiotic therapy is necessary.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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