Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash. 

The illness is caused by Group A Streptococcus also known as Strep A, which are found on the skin and in the throat (NHS inform, 2022). 

The number of cases of scarlet fever reported to the Public Health Agency has been rising in the past few months (Public Health Agency, 2022). 

Scarlet fever is very infectious and can be caught by:

• breathing in bacteria in airborne droplets from an infected person's coughs and sneezes
• touching the skin of a person with a Streptococcal skin infections
• sharing contaminated towels, linens or clothes (Public Health Agency, 2022).

It can also be caught by people who have the bacteria in their throat or skin but are not presenting with any symptoms. 

The symptoms of scarlet fever are non-specific in early illness and may include:

• sore throat
• headache
• fever
• nausea
• vomiting (Public Health Agency, 2022).

The distinctive pink-red rash will develop 12 to 48 hours after the other symptoms (NHS, 2022). Characteristics include small, raised bumps which typically start on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body, giving the skin a sandpaper-like texture. 

Patients may have flushed cheeks and paleness around the mouth, which may be accompanied by a 'strawberry tongue' (Public Health Agency, 2022). 

Complications from scarlet fever are rare. They can happen during or in the weeks after the infections, and can include:

• ear infection
• throat abscess
• sinusitis
• pneumonia
• meningitis
• rheumatic fever (NHS, 2022).

Most cases of scarlet fever clear up after about a week without the need for treatment. Recommended self care methods include:

• drinking plenty of cool fluids
• eating soft foods
• taking paracetamol to bring down a high temperature
• using calamine lotion or antihistamines to relieve itching (NHS inform, 2022).

Treatment may be recommended if it:

• reduces the length of time of the infection
• speeds up recovery
• lower the risks of complications of scarlet fever

Antibiotics

Scarlet fever is usually treated with a 10-day course of antibiotics, usually penicillin or amoxicillin (NHS inform, 2022). Children should be kept away from nursery or school, and adults from work for at least 24 hours after starting treatment. 

Public Health Agency. Scarlet fever. 2022. https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/scarlet-fever (accessed 9 December 2022)

NHS. Scarlet fever. 2022. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/ (accessed 9 December 2022)

NHS inform. Scarlet fever. 2022. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/scarlet-fever#:~:text=Scarlet%20fever%20is%20a%20bacterial,skin%20and%20in%20the%20throat (accessed 9 December 2022)