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Ency. home > Disease > S > Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Scarlatina

Treatment

The treatment of scarlet fever is the same as the treatment of strep throat -- antibiotic therapy to eliminate the bacteria that causes this infection from the throat. This is crucial to preventing rheumatic fever, the most feared complication of strep throat and scarlet fever.

Prognosis

With proper antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of scarlet fever should resolve quickly (though the rash can last for up to 2-3 weeks before it is fully resolved).

Complications

Complications are rare with proper treatment. These can include:

  • Acute rheumatic fever
  • Ear infection (otitis media)
  • Adenitis or abscess
  • Pneumonia
  • Sinusitis
  • Meningitis
  • Bone or joint problems (osteomyelitis or arthritis)
  • Liver damage (hepatitis)
  • Kidney damage (glomerulonephritis)

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of scarlet fever develop, or if symptoms do not subside 24 hours after beginning treatment.

Ency. home > Disease > S > Scarlet fever

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