Scarlet fever in children
goodtoknow says: Scarlet fever used to be a much more common and potentially serious illness but now it's mild thanks to a change in the bug that causes it. It's mainly children who get it. It starts with a fever and a sore throat caused by the streptococcus bacteria. Your child will get a bright red, scarlet rash on their chest and neck, which then spreads to the rest of their body. Scarlet fever is very infectious. Antibiotics such as penicillin work well, but many children recover without any treatment within a week or so. The rash lasts about six days.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of scarlet fever from patient.co.uk, read on.
Scarlet fever causes a sore throat, high temperature and a rash. It usually only occurs in children. It has become much less common and less serious than it once was. Full recovery is usual.
What causes scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is due to a throat infection caused by a bacterium (germ) called streptococcus. There are various strains (types) of streptococcus. They cause various infections, and one strain causes scarlet fever.
Average rating:
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
Kirby Hill, about 1 year
Hi i have scarlet fever and i am waiting for my throat swabs to come back (either tomorrow or day after) Is it meant to itch a little?
Report this commentFiona, about 1 year
hiya im 23 weeks pregnant and my sons aunt has just been told her son has scarlet fever. my son has been staying there for the past 10 days and last saw his cousin 4 days ago. his cousin came out with the rash 2 days after this. im worried this could affect my unborn baby or my 2 week old niece
Report this commenttracey, about 1 year
Hi all my 6 year son has just been diagnosed with scarlet fever. After 3 weeks, it started with a throat infection then he had diarrhea for six days then began vommiting for 2 days when i took him to a and e 3 doctors checked him but didn't seem to know what it was all his fingers are peeling they said it was excema. i came home still concerned about him as he was still being sick i took him to another a and e today who immediately diagnoised hom with scarlet fever. I am glad that finally after 3 weeks i know what is wrong with him. How can 3 doctors get it so wrong???????????
Report this commentkelley Rushin, about 1 year
My 5 year old son has it , and is up to date on all shots. and im wondering can he get this again?
Report this commentdonna manning, about 1 year
My friends 1year old son his really poorly in Hospital with Scarlet Fever, i have 3 children of my own including a 1 year old. Is this contageous, would you advice me to stay away.
Report this commentCarolyn, about 1 year
reply to Debs Yes, apparently they can get it again - which is why some websites advise you to wash all toys and cups in hot soapy water (or dishwasher!) and change your toothbrush after symptoms disappear during the course of antibiotics so that you don't reinfect. (You can get it again like sore throat or impetigo skin rash because it is a bacteria not a virus).
Report this commentlinda flack, over 2 years
iv tock over my granson 3 years ago over iv got 4 childon of my own iv hard of scarlet fiver but never seen it when my granson went ill he was very ill hehas adhd so it is very rear to se him yust liying there unwell so tock him to dc and says he has this at first i thort it was menagitas but when i got home i looket it up but u dont get tolda bute it just that it contagas and it will go away in 6to7 days he is on antebaotics for it thanks for this site
Report this commentdebs goudie, over 2 years
just wanted to know if a child can suffer with scarlett fever more than once?????????????thanks d.goudie
Report this commentbitza, over 2 years
we are waiting for the throat swabs to conferm if my 4 year old had scarlet fever but all the classic signs are there. the sore throat the rash and now the peeling she has been on medication since wednesday. if it wasnt for sites like this i wouldnt know what scarlet fever was or what to expect as the hospital didnt give us any information just said they would let us know about the swabs results in a few days. people have told me scarlet fever is a thing of the past and rear now days so we are wondering where my daughter could have contacted it. and why the brush off from the hospital if it can be infectious. there first thought was sun burn to the cheat area then because she is a chubby child it was a sweat rash. im now angry that they could even think this. she has never had sweat rash before and baths every evening. so this site has proved wonders for me well done
Report this comment
Geoff, 6 months
This was once the biggest killer of children in rural areas. The reason why it is now less lethal is not really understood, but since it responds to antibiotics, it is no longer dreaded. My family lived in a village on Salisbury Plain. When little Mary Ellen Ayres died of Scarlet Fever aged 6, she had to be buried with Martha Hart aged 11 (on 1st Jan 1880). The vicar commented next to this burial entry, that James & Mary had lost 4 children in 13 months (from this outbreak) and now had none surviving.
Report this comment