Scarlet Fever
What is scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is a strep throat infection with a rash. The
rash is caused by a toxin that is produced by some strep
bacteria.
If your child has scarlet fever:
- Your child's skin looks red or sunburned and feels rough.
If you look closely, the redness is speckled (tiny pink
dots).
- Your child has more redness in skin folds (especially the
groin, armpits, and elbow creases).
- Your child has a reddened face and is pale around the
mouth.
- Your child has a sore throat and fever (usually before
the rash appears).
How can I take care of my child?
- Give antibiotics. Your child's medicine is
______________________. Give ________, ____ times a day
during waking hours for 10 days.
- Help sore throat pain and fever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
or ibuprofen (Advil) is very helpful for throat pain.
Children over 1 year old can sip warm chicken broth or
apple juice. Children over 4 years old can suck on hard
candy or lollipops. Also give acetaminophen or ibuprofen
for fevers over 102°F (39°C).
- Do not treat the rash. The rash itself needs no
treatment. It generally clears in 4 to 5 days.
- Keep from spreading the disease. Your child can no
longer spread scarlet fever to other children after he or
she has been taking the antibiotic for 24 hours.
- Get throat cultures for the family. Scarlet fever and
strep throat can spread to others in the family. Any
child or adult who lives in your home and has any of the
symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, headache,
vomiting, sores, or who doesn't want to eat) should have
a throat culture. If one of your family gets these
symptoms in the next 5 days, they should also get a
throat culture. In most homes, only the people who are
sick need throat cultures. Your physician will call you
if any of the cultures are positive for strep.
Call your child's doctor right away if:
- Your child starts acting very sick.
Call your child's doctor during office hours if:
- The fever lasts over 48 hours after starting the
antibiotic.
- You have other concerns or questions.
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.