An Overview of Scarlet Fever Complications
Because both
scarlet fever and strep throat are caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, possible scarlet fever complications are similar to those of strep throat; however, with the widespread use of antibiotics to treat scarlet fever and strep throat, these complications are not as common as they once were.
Specific Scarlet Fever Complications
Scarlet fever complications can occur if the group A streptococcus spreads from the throat to other surrounding tissues, such as the tonsils or sinuses. Complications can also occur if the bacteria spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other organs, such as the brain or heart.
Specific scarlet fever complications that can occur include:
- Sinusitis (sinus infection)
- Otitis media (ear infection)
- Meningitis
- Rheumatic fever (inflammatory disease that can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain)
- Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
- Pneumonia
- Bacteremia (bloodstream infections)
- Cervical lymphadenitis (inflammation of lymph glands in the neck)
- Abscess (collection of pus in tissue).
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