Scarlet Fever

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Scarlet Fever

• usually Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus)
• patient infective for 10 days unless treated with antiotics

History

• incubation 2-4 days following streptococal infection (usually Pharyngitis )

Examination

• lymphadenopathy
• fever
• rigors
• headache
• vomiting
• rash - lasts 5 days
  • blanches on pressure
  • initially on neck →
  • punctate
  • erythematous
  • generalised
• → extensive desquamation
• face
  • flushed
  • circumoral pallor
• strawberry tongue / raspberry tongue

Complications

• peritonsillar / retropharyngeal abscess
• otitis media

Investigations

• throat swab
• latex agglutination
• antistreptolysin O (ASO) titre

Treatment

• Phenoxymethylpenicillin (125mg QDS for 10 days)
• Benzathine Penicillin (916mg IM)
• Erythromycin (250mg QDS for 10 days)

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