infection
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina and scarlatiniform rash, is an disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococcus (GAS). It most commonly affects children and young adolescents between five and 15 years of age. The signs and symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. The face is flushed and the rash is red and blanching. It typically feels like sandpaper and the tongue may be red and bumpy. The rash occurs as a result of capillary damage by exotoxins produced by S. pyogenes. On darker-pigmented skin the rash may be hard to discern.
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Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Sore throat, fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, characteristic rash
How it's found
- ·Throat
Prevention
- ·Handwashing, not sharing personal items, staying away from sick people
Treatment
- ·
Complications
- ·Kidney disease, rheumatic fever,
Outlook
- ·Typically good
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See all of Immune System →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.