Scarlet fever

Question 1

what causes scarlet fever

Answer 1

Streptococcus pyogenes or group A streptococcus

Question 2

what age is it mainly common

Answer 2

between 2 and 8 years

Question 3

how long does it take to develop symptoms

Answer 3

2 to 5 days to develop symptoms after being infected

Question 4

when is the seasonal rise in cases

Answer 4

December and April

Question 5

what is the management of scarlet fever

Answer 5

• Penicillin V four times a day for 10 days, if not tolerated = Amoxicillin
• rest and drink plenty of fluids
  -analgesics PRN
  -soft diet if sore throat

Question 6

what is the first symptoms

Answer 6

-sore throat
- headache
- fever over 38.3
- swollen neck glands
- nausea and vomiting

Question 7

what symptoms occur after 12-48hrs

Answer 7

• swollen neck glands
  -feeling tired and unwell
  flushed red face but pale around mouth
  -peeling skin in fingertips, toes and groin as rash fades
  -blanching rash on torso & spreading to rest of body. rash characteristics: red with rough sandpaper texture, deep red linear appearance in skin folds.

Question 8

non- pharmacological management

Answer 8

-exclude school/work until at least 24hrs of antibiotic treatment
-encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene
- don’t share towels

Question 9

is there a risk to pregnant women who are in contact

Answer 9

no but they should contact midwife if any doubt of cause of rash

Question 10

name another physical presentation of scarlet fever

Answer 10

strawberry tongue………. tongue covered in white coat with noticeable red papillae (bumps on tongue that help grip food)………… white coat will disappear which leaves tongue with beefy red appearance

Question 11

potential complications with scarlet fever

Answer 11

-ear infection
- throat abscess
-acute sinusitis