Scarlet Fever
Scarlet Fever is an infection that may develop after having had a strep throat, a bacterial infection to the throat that can also lead to tonsillitis. The same bacteria that causes strep throat can cause a bodily rash and high fever, diagnosing it as the Scarlet Fever. As with the tonsillitis, scarlet fever mostly affects kids under the age of 15 and rarely is harmful to the older population.
Symptoms
- Body rash, it looks like a sunburn and has a scarlet color. Although the rash starts on the chest, it can spread to the rest of the body quickly and turns into a deeper red color. The rash usually lasts up to 7 days
- White tongue with red spots
- Fever above 38.5 degrees
- Nausea and vomiting
- Throat pain
Treatments
Since Scarlet fever is strictly bacterial, it is treated with antibiotics. Aspirin and ibuprofen can also help to reduce inflammation and fever. Panadol can be used to reduce the throat pain as well if present. Scarlet fever can be passed through skin contact in addition to through germs from the mouth and therefore it is important to avoid school for a until after at least 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.