An uncommon infectious disease, more often seen in childhood, that is caused by a strain of streptococcal bacteria. Symptoms include a severe sore throat, high fever, vomiting, and a rash of tiny red spots on the neck and upper trunk that spreads rapidly. The face is flushed, except around the mouth, and a white coating with red spots may develop on the tongue. This coating comes off after a few days to reveal a bright red colour. The fever then soon subsides, the rash fades, and the skin may peel. As with other types of streptococcal infections, rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis may rarely develop 6 weeks later. Treatment with antibiotics prevents this and promotes a rapid recovery.
Scarlet fever |
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