Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that sometimes develops in people with strep throat. It is most common in children 5 – 15 years of age. It is treated with antibiotics, if left untreated it can cause serious conditions affecting the heart and kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms
- Red rash. The rash looks like sunburn and feels like sandpaper
- Red lines. The folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees, and neck become a deeper red than the surrounding rash
- Flushed face
- Strawberry tongue. Tongue generally looks red and bumpy, often covered with a white coating early in the illness
- Fever usually 101º F or higher
- Difficulty swallowing
- Enlarged lymph nodes in neck
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
Treatment
Follow up with your primary care provider for diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Students may return to school once they have been taking antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours and are fever free for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Contact school nurse Lea Hysom at lea.hysom@tbcs.org to report a case of scarlet fever.
More information about scarlet fever is available on the CDC website.