30 Questions
What is the characteristic appearance of the tongue in scarlet fever?
Red and bumpy, often covered with a white coating early in the disease
What is the typical duration of the rash and redness in the face and tongue in scarlet fever?
About a week
What is the minimum temperature required to be considered a fever in scarlet fever?
101 F (38.3 C) or higher
What is the characteristic appearance of the throat in scarlet fever?
Very sore and red, sometimes with white or yellowish patches
What are some common complications of scarlet fever?
Abscesses, swollen lymph nodes, ear infections, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and others
What is the best way to prevent scarlet fever?
Standard precautions against infections
What are the first-choice antibiotics for treating scarlet fever?
Penicillin or amoxicillin
What is another name for scarlet fever?
Scarlatina
What is the typical age range of people affected by scarlet fever?
5 to 15 years of age
What is the alternative treatment for scarlet fever in people who are allergic to penicillin?
Other antibiotics
What is the causative agent of scarlet fever?
Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs) types A, B, and C produced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS)
What is the other name for scarlet fever?
Scarlatina
What is the incubation period of scarlet fever?
Two to four days
What is the characteristic feature of the rash in scarlet fever?
Bright red, covering most of the body
How does the infection of scarlet fever spread?
Via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes
What is the characteristic of the rash in scarlet fever?
Looks like a sunburn and feels like sandpaper
What happens to the reddened skin when pressure is applied?
It will turn pale
What is the common symptom of Scarlet fever besides high fever?
Sore throat
How long did the boy have a fever before being hospitalized?
4 days
What is the appearance of the face in scarlet fever?
Flushed with a pale ring around the mouth
What is the result of untreated scarlet fever?
More-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys, and other parts of the body
What was the initial diagnosis made by the family doctor?
Acute tonsillitis
What was the medication given to the patient by the family doctor?
Acetaminophen
What is the significance of antibiotic treatments in scarlet fever?
Made it less threatening
What was the notable feature of the rash on the 4th day?
Pin-point rash on the lower extremities and inguinal skin folds
What was the patient's underlying medical condition?
Down syndrome
What was the patient's heart rate on admission?
96 bpm
What was the patient's blood pressure on admission?
110/60 mmHg
What is the likely diagnosis (Dx) based on the patient's symptoms?
Scarlet fever
What is the causative agent of Scarlet fever?
Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS)
Study Notes
Scarlet Fever
- Also known as scarlatina, scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat.
- Features a bright red rash that covers most of the body, accompanied by a sore throat and a high fever.
Causes
- Caused by streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs) types A, B, and C produced by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS).
- Found in secretions and discharge from the nose, ears, throat, and skin.
- Spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Incubation period is usually two to four days.
Risk Factors
- Children 5 to 15 years of age are more likely to get scarlet fever.
- Germs spread more easily among people in close contact, such as family members or classmates.
Symptoms
- Red rash: looks like a sunburn, feels like sandpaper, and starts on the face or neck, spreading to the trunk, arms, and legs.
- Red lines: folds of skin around the groin, armpits, elbows, knees, and neck become deeper red.
- Flushed face: face appears flushed with a pale ring around the mouth.
- Strawberry tongue: tongue looks red and bumpy, often covered with a white coating.
- Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, often with chills.
- Very sore and red throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Enlarged glands in the neck (lymph nodes) that are tender to the touch.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Headache.
Complications
- Rare but can occur if bacteria spread to other parts of the body.
- Complications include:
- Abscesses (pockets of pus) around the tonsils.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
- Ear, sinus, and skin infections.
- Pneumonia (lung infection).
- Rheumatic fever (a heart disease).
- Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease).
- Arthritis (joint inflammation).
Treatment and Prevention
- No vaccine to prevent scarlet fever.
- Best prevention strategies include standard precautions against infections.
- Treatment with antibiotics can prevent most complications.
- Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin.
Learn about the bacterial illness scarlet fever, its causative agent, clinical presentation, complications, and available treatments. This quiz covers the key aspects of scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina.
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