Are there different strains of scarlet fever?

Are there different strains of scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria, the same bacteria that cause strep throat. There are many different strains of strep bacteria, some of which cause more serious illness than others.

How many cases of scarlet fever are there?

Since 1999, a total of 9,400 cases of scarlet fever have been reported in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 300 cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) and 600 cases of necrotizing fasciitis have been reported during this period.

What kind of infection does scarlet fever have?

Scarlet fever is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract (mostly the throat) with a type of bacteria called Streptococcus that characteristically produces red, sandpaper-like rash (see Figure 1 below).

Can you get scarlet fever if you have strep throat?

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever features a bright red rash that covers most of the body.

How to tell if your child has scarlet fever?

Other signs and symptoms associated with scarlet fever include: Very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches Enlarged glands in the neck (lymph nodes) that are tender to the touch Talk to your doctor if your child has a sore throat with: Scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that cause strep throat.

How old do you have to be to get scarlet fever?

Anyone can get scarlet fever, but there are some factors that can increase the risk of getting this infection. Scarlet fever, like strep throat, is more common in children than adults. It is most common in children 5 through 15 years old.

What organisms does scarlet fever infect?

Scarlet fever is essentially a bacterial infection that leads to a typical pink-red rash. It is caused by an organism Streptococcus and is seen rarely in developed countries like United Kingdom these days.

What is the treatment for scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin or azithromycin. In addition to antibiotic treatment, patients with scarlet fever and severe throat symptoms may try: Acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) or ibuprofen ( Advil , Motrin and others) to relieve pain and reduce fever.

What damage can scarlet fever cause?

scarlet fever can cause heart arrhythmias and leaky valves. Scarlet fever is due to a strptococcla infection, one protein in this bacteria is similar to a protein found in the heart, and when the body produces chemicals against this protein in the bacteria, it sometimes damages the heart too.

What are the effects of scarlet fever?

However, if left untreated, scarlet fever can lead to serious complications including rheumatic fever (an inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain), kidney damage, ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.