Scarlet fever is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria which make a poison that can cause the scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name. The incubation period of scarlet fever in children is usually 1 - 4 days. If a child has this scarlet rash and other symptoms of strep throat, it can be treated with antibiotics. So if your child has these symptoms, it's important to call your doctor.

Alternative Names of Scarlet Fever is: Scarlatina

Complications of Scarlet fever
If your child has impetigo, scarlet fever can also be spread by touch. People living in crowded conditions are more at risk of the condition. If left untreated Scarlet fever can cause which include:

• Acute Rheumatic Fever
• Adenitis Or Abscess
• Arthritis
• Hepatitis
• Kidney Damage
• Meningitis
• Middle Ear Infection,
• Osteomyelitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Pneumonia
• Septicaemia,
• Sinusitis

Causes of Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is caused by

• If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the bacteria can become airborne, or the bacteria may be present on things the person touches - a drinking glass or a doorknob.
• Scarlet fever strep bacteria can also contaminate food, especially milk, but this mode of transmission isn't as common.
• Strep bacteria that cause scarlet fever spread from one person to another by fluids from the mouth and nose.
• Streptococcal bacteria, the same bacteria that cause strep throat. The type of strep that infects the throat and causes scarlet fever is called group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABS).

If scarlet fever isn't treated, a person may be contagious for a few weeks even after the illness itself has passed.

Signs & Symptoms of Scarlet fever
The following are the common initial symptoms of scarlet fever. The rash begins one to two days after the initial infection. The red sandpaper-like rash is noted on the neck, forehead, cheeks, and chest and then may spread to the arms and back. The rash usually begins to fade after three to four days. The symptoms of scarlet fever may resemble other skin conditions or medical problems.

• Abdominal Pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Loss of Appetite
• Nausea
• Rashes like a sunburn
• Sore Throat
• Strawberry tongue
• Swollen neck glands
• Tonsils
• Vomiting

Diagnosis of Scarlet fever

Exams and Tests

• Physical examination: The physician can make the diagnosis based on a complete medical history and physical examination.
• Throat culture positive for Group A Strep: In addition doctor may order a throat swab to confirm the diagnosis of strep throat as the source of the scarlet fever.
• Rapid antigen detection: Rapid strep test brings the results as positive or negative for GABHS. If it is negative, part of the throat swab will be kept for a throat culture to identify if there is any GABHS present.

Preventions of Scarlet fever
The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. In everyday life, there is no perfect way to avoid the infections that cause scarlet fever. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing and coughing. When a child is sick at home, you should use following prevention methods:

• Keep the child's drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members
• Wash the items thoroughly in hot soapy water
• Wash your hands frequently as you care for a child with an infection of scarlet fever
• Avoid direct contact of infected child with other family members

Treatments of Scarlet fever
If the child has a rash and the doctor suspect scarlet fever, he or she will usually take a throat culture to see if the bacteria grow in the laboratory. Once a strep infection is confirmed, the doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic for your child to be taken for about 10 days.

• Antibiotics: With antibiotic treatment the fever improves within 12 - 24 hours and recovery is made in 4 - 5 days. It would be a long process and may take a few weeks to treat swollen glands and tonsils to return to normal.
• It is very important that the child should completes the full course of antibiotics

Caring for a Child with Scarlet Fever

• A moist warm towel may help to soothe swollen glands around child's neck
• Child's clothing should be comfortable as possible in cool cotton clothing
• Eating can be painful for infected child, so provide soft foods or a liquid diet
• If your child is able to gargling water give him or her salty water to gargle and then spit out.
• Include teas, nutritious soups, or cool soft drinks, milkshakes, and ice cream
• Infection can be spread through sneezing and coughing so keep your child home from school
• Keep the infected child away from infants and younger siblings
• Keep your home free from cigarette smoke and cleaning products that can irritate the throat.
• Make sure that child's fingernails are trimmed short so that the skin isn't damaged through scratching
• Make sure that the child drinks plenty of fluids
• Paracetamol can be helpful in fever and pain
• Use separate plates, glasses, towels and clothes from the rest of the family

When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor whenever your child suddenly develops a rash, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands. Talk to your doctor if your child has any one of the following signs or symptoms:

• Fever of and above 102 oF
• Rashes
• Sore throat
• Sore throat with a fever
• Sore throat with swollen or tender glands in the neck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty in opening his or her mouth all the way

This is especially important if your child has any of the symptoms of strep throat, or if someone in your family or in your child's school has recently had a strep infection.