"Scarlet fever" is also a term denoting the condition of having strong love for or attraction to Red Hair .
is an
Exotoxin -mediated disease caused by
Group A Streptococcal Infection that occurs most often in association with a sore throat and rarely with
Impetigo or other streptococcal infections. It is characterized by sore throat, fever and a
Rash over the upper body that may spread to cover almost the entire body. Scarlet fever is ''not''
Rheumatic Fever . Rheumatic fever is the
Autoimmune Disease that occurs after infection with Group A strep that causes damage to the heart valves.
This disease was also once known as Scarlatina. Many novels depicting life prior to the
Nineteenth Century (see ''Scarlet fever in literature'' below) describe scarlet fever as an acute disease being followed by many months spent in convalescence. The convalesence was probably due to complications with rheumatic fever. It was also not uncommon to destroy or burn the personal effects of a person afflicted with scarlet fever to prevent transmission to other people.
The disease was once greatly feared and killed many thousands of people. Today, however, it is fairly easy to treat with modern
Antibiotic s.
The disease is typically preceded by:
- There is a characteristic rash:
- fine, red, rough-textured and blanches upon pressure
- appears 12–48 hours after the fever
- generally starts on the chest, axilla (armpits), and behind the ears
- worse in the skin folds
- Pastia Lines (small linear Petechiae ) appear and persist after the rash is gone
- Scarlet fever also produces a bright red tongue with a "strawberry" appearance.
- The area around the mouth is usually pale ( Circumoral Pallor )
- After about a week, the skin often Desquamates or peels, usually in the groin, axilla, and on tips of fingers and toes
The illness is spread by the same means as
Strep Throat .
Other than the occurrence of the rash, the treatment and course of scarlet fever are no different from those of any strep throat.
Antibiotic treatment is considered necessary to prevent rheumatic fever.
