Scarlet Fever in Children

Scarlet fever is usually seen in children under the age of 18. The most common symptoms seen in children include rash, sore throat, fever, and chills. Treatment for scarlet fever in children usually involves antibiotics to cure the infection, and other treatments to relieve symptoms.

 

An Introduction to Scarlet Fever in Children

Scarlet fever (known in older medical literature as scarlatina) is an illness caused the same bacteria that cause strep throat. A person with scarlet fever most commonly develops a sore throat and rash. Scarlet fever is usually seen in children under the age of 18. For unknown reasons, scarlet fever has become less common in recent years.
 

Causes of Scarlet Fever in Children

Scarlet fever in children is an illness caused by bacteria called group A streptococcus. Group A streptococcus produces a toxin that causes the scarlet fever symptoms. Some children are sensitive to this toxin; others have developed immunity. This is why two children in the same household can have a strep infection, but only one may develop scarlet fever.
 
(Click What Causes Scarlet Fever? or Scarlet Fever Bacteria for more information on group A streptococcus.)
 

Scarlet Fever in Children: Incubation Period

The time between infection and the first scarlet fever symptoms is called the scarlet fever incubation period. The scarlet fever incubation period in children is usually one to four days.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD