Why does scarlet fever affect children?
Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS). These bacteria release a poison (toxin) that travels through your child’s bloodstream and causes a rash. The strep A bacteria live in the nose and throat.
Can a child die from scarlet fever?
Complications of scarlet fever can include rheumatic fever and kidney problems; other serious problems can occur rarely, including death.
What if you had scarlet fever as a child?
If your child has scarlet fever, antibiotics can help your child feel better faster and prevent long-term health problems. Antibiotics can also help protect others from getting sick.
How old does a child have to be to have scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is a complication associated with strep throat. Caused by the same group of bacteria that are responsible for causing strep throat, scarlet fever or scarlatina usually affects children between 5 and 15 years of age. Scarlet fever in children will cause a bright red rash with a sore throat and high fever.
Can a child with scarlet fever have strep throat?
The group A streptococci also causes other illnesses and children with scarlet fever will usually present with a “strep throat” infection or tonsillitis. Two or more members of one family may develop a strep throat, yet only one may go on to develop scarlet fever. Some common symptoms include:
What are the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Scarlet fever is a disease which can occur as a result of a group A streptococcus (group A strep) infection. The signs and symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. The rash is red and feels like sandpaper and the tongue may be red and bumpy.
Who is most at risk for scarlet fever?
Contact with open sores from group A strep skin infections can also spread the disease. Which children are at risk for scarlet fever? Scarlet fever most commonly occurs in children between 5 and 12 years old. A child is more at risk for scarlet fever if he or she is around a person who is infected with GABHS bacteria.
How can Scarlet Fever Kill You?
Scarlet fever can interfere with breathing by causing swelling of the pharynx. It can kill by causing a blood infection, septicemia. The fever it causes can result in severe dehydration, which can be fatal for infants and young children.
Can a child have scarlet fever without the fever?
Scarlet fever usually appears with rash and fever. This however can be managed with antibiotics. Some children and adults can even recover scarlet fever even without the use of antibiotics. Nevertheless, immediate treatment is still very important in order to prevent the fast spread of infection in the blood known as sepsis.
Can scarlet fever be cured?
In the past, scarlet fever was considered to be a serious childhood disease, but it’s now easily treated with antibiotics and complications are rare. Most cases of scarlet fever clear within about a week of starting treatment. Over-the-counter medications may also provide relief for the itching and the associated sore throat.
What are the symptoms of strep throat in children?
The symptoms below may also appear on children with strep throat, regardless of their age: white patches on tonsils and throat. “strawberry” tongue – taste buds are inflamed and red. headache. chills. abdominal pain. rash.