What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?
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- Sore throat and fever (high temperature) are the typical first symptoms.
- A bright red (scarlet) rash soon develops. This is caused by a toxin (poison) that is made by the streptococcal bacteria. The toxin gets into the blood from the infected throat. The rash starts as small red spots, usually on the neck and upper chest. It soon spreads to many other parts of the body. The face may become quite flushed. The rash blanches (goes white) if you press on it.
- The tongue may become pale but coated with red spots ('strawberry tongue'). After a few days the whole tongue may look red.
- Other common symptoms include: headaches, vomiting, being off food, and feeling generally unwell.
Most children will recover fully within a week or so, even without treatment. (However, it is best to have treatment - see below.) The sore throat and fever last a few days, and then usually ease. The rash lasts about six days, and then usually fades away. As the rash fades, some of the skin may peel, mainly on the hands and feet (a bit like after being sunburnt).
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claire barnett, over 2 years
i had scarlet fever when i was thre and got a really bad heart mummer out of it . so it can have lasting damage just be safe and get your child checked.
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