SCARLET FEVER

Question 1

What is the organism responsible for scarlet fever?

Answer 1

Group A Beta haemolytic streptococci (usually Streptococcus pyogenes)

Question 2

How long is the incubation period of scarlet fever?

Answer 2

2-4 days

Question 3

What are the clinical features of scarlet fever?

Answer 3

Fever
Malaise
Tonsillitis
'Strawberry' tongue
Rash - fine punctate erythema ('pinhead')

Question 4

Where does the rash associated with scarlet fever usually appear?

Answer 4

Appears first on the torso and spares the face although children often have a flushed appearance with perioral pallor.

Question 5

How is a diagnosis of scarlet fever made?

Answer 5

Throat swab

Question 6

What antibiotics should be prescribed for someone presenting with the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever?

Answer 6

Oral Penicillin V

Question 7

What antibiotics should be prescribed for someone with a penicillin allergy who presents with the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever?

Answer 7

Azithromycin

Question 8

Other than antibiotics what other important step must the clinician take in the management of a patient with scarlet fever?

Answer 8

Scarlet fever is a notifiable disease

Question 9

What are the complications of scarlet fever and how long after infection does each occur?

Answer 9

Otitis media: the most common complication, with or straight after infection

Rheumatic fever: typically occurs 20 days after infection

Acute glomerulonephritis: typically occurs 10 days after infection