Scarlet fever

Question 1

For scarlet fever, state:

- Causative agent and incubation period

Answer 1

• Caused by group A streptococcal infection

Incubation period:
• 1 – 3 days

Question 2

For scarlet fever, state:

- How it is spread

Answer 2

• Coughing and sneezing
• Contact with contaminated surfaces
• Touching or kissing an infected person

Question 3

For scarlet fever, state:

- General signs and symptoms (9)

Answer 3

• Sudden onset of very sore red throat
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Followed by red rash in 12 – 36 hours: red blotches are the first sign of rash, which then changes to look like sunburn and feel like sandpaper
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Swollen glands
• Aches all over the body

Question 4

For scarlet fever, state:

- Oral signs and symptoms (5)

Answer 4

• Tonsillitis
• Pharyngitis
• Petechiae on soft palate
• ‘Strawberry tongue’
Fungiform papillae are red and prominent, dorsal surface of the tongue exhibits either a white coating or erythema

Question 5

For scarlet fever, state:

• Prevention (3)
• Treatment (5)

Answer 5

• Wash hands thoroughly
• Avoid sharing utensils
• Cover nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing

Treatment:
• Keep child home for at least 24 hours after treatment has begun and until feeling better
• See your doctor 
• Antibiotics
• Rest
• Pain relief
• Maintain fluid uptake