<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scarlet fever results from group A strep infection. If your child has a sore throat and rash, their doctor can test for strep. Quick treatment with antibiotics can protect your child from possible long-term health problems.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scarlet&nbsp;fever&nbsp;&ndash; or scarlatina &ndash; is a bacterial infection caused by group A<em>Streptococcus</em>&nbsp;or &quot;group A strep.&quot; This illness affects a small percentage of people who have&nbsp;strep throat&nbsp;or, less commonly, streptococcal skin infections. Scarlet&nbsp;fever&nbsp;is treatable with&nbsp;antibiotics&nbsp;and usually is a mild illness, but it needs to be treated to prevent rare but serious long-term health problems. Treatment with antibiotics also helps clear up symptoms faster and reduces spread to other people.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Although anyone can get scarlet&nbsp;fever, it usually affects children between 5 and 12 years of age. The classic symptom of the disease is a certain type of red rash that feels rough, like sandpaper.</span></span></p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">How Do You Get Scarlet Fever?</span></span></strong></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Group A strep bacteria can live in a person&#39;s nose and throat. The bacteria are spread through contact with droplets from an infected person&#39;s cough or sneeze. If you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching something that has these droplets on it, you may become ill. If you drink from the same glass or eat from the same plate as the sick person, you could also become ill. It is possible to get scarlet&nbsp;fever&nbsp;from contact with sores from group A strep skin infections.</span></span></p>

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<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Common Symptoms of Scarlet Fever</span></span></strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A very red, sore throat</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A&nbsp;fever&nbsp;(101&deg; F or above)</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A red rash with a sandpaper feel</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Bright red skin in underarm, elbow and groin creases</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A whitish coating on the tongue or back of the throat</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">A &quot;strawberry&quot; tongue</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Headache</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Nausea or vomiting</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Abdominal pain</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Swollen glands</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Body aches</span></span></li>
</ul>

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<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Scarlet Fever: What to Expect</span></span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Illness usually begins with a&nbsp;fever&nbsp;and sore throat. There also may be chills, vomiting, and&nbsp;abdominal pain. The tongue may have a whitish coating and appear swollen. It may also have a &quot;strawberry&quot;-like (red and bumpy) appearance. The throat and tonsils may be very red and sore, and swallowing may be painful.</span></span></p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">One or two days after the illness begins,&nbsp;<strong>the characteristic red rash</strong>&nbsp;appears (although the rash can appear before illness or up to 7 days later). Certain strep bacteria produce a toxin (poison) which causes some people to break out in the rash&mdash;the &quot;scarlet&quot; of scarlet&nbsp;fever. The rash may first appear on the neck, underarm, and groin, then spread over the body. Typically, the rash begins as small, flat red blotches which gradually become fine bumps and feel like sandpaper.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Although the cheeks might have a flushed appearance, 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. These are called Pastia&#39;s lines. The scarlet&nbsp;fever&nbsp;rash generally fades in about 7 days. As the rash fades, the skin may peel around the finger tips, toes, and groin area. This peeling can last up to several weeks.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Scarlet fever is treatable with antibiotics</strong>. Since either viruses or other bacteria can also cause sore throats, it&#39;s important to ask the doctor about a strep test (a simple swab of the throat) if your child complains of havin g a sore throat. If the test is positive, meaning your child is infected with group A strep bacteria, your child&#39;s doctor will prescribe antibiotics to avoid possible, although rare, long-term health problems, reduce symptoms, and prevent further spread of the disease.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">It is important for anyone with a sore throat to wash his or her hands often.</span></span></p>

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<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Long-term Health Problems from Scarlet Fever</span></span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Long-term health problems from scarlet fever may include:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Rheumatic&nbsp;fever&nbsp;(an inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain)</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Kidney disease (inflammation of the kidneys, called poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis)</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Otitis media&nbsp;(ear infections)</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Skin infections</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Abscesses&nbsp;of the throat</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Pneumonia&nbsp;(lung infection)</span></span></li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Arthritis (joint inflammation)</span></span></li>
</ul>

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<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Preventing Infection: Wash Those Hands</span></span></strong></h3>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The best way to keep from getting infected is to wash your hands often and avoid sharing eating utensils, linens, towels or other personal items. It is especially important for anyone with a sore throat to wash his or her hands often. There is no vaccine to prevent strep throat or scarlet fever. Children with scarlet fever or strep throat should stay home from school or daycare for at least 24 hours after starting&nbsp;antibiotics</span></span></p>

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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Source</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ScarletFever/">http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ScarletFever/</a></span></span></p>
