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Questions and Answers
What is the characteristic appearance of the tongue in scarlet fever?
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?
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?
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?
What is the characteristic appearance of the throat in scarlet fever?
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What are some common complications of scarlet fever?
What are some common complications of scarlet fever?
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What is the best way to prevent scarlet fever?
What is the best way to prevent scarlet fever?
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What are the first-choice antibiotics for treating scarlet fever?
What are the first-choice antibiotics for treating scarlet fever?
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What is another name for scarlet fever?
What is another name for scarlet fever?
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What is the typical age range of people affected by scarlet fever?
What is the typical age range of people affected by scarlet fever?
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What is the alternative treatment for scarlet fever in people who are allergic to penicillin?
What is the alternative treatment for scarlet fever in people who are allergic to penicillin?
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What is the causative agent of scarlet fever?
What is the causative agent of scarlet fever?
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What is the other name for scarlet fever?
What is the other name for scarlet fever?
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What is the incubation period of scarlet fever?
What is the incubation period of scarlet fever?
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What is the characteristic feature of the rash in scarlet fever?
What is the characteristic feature of the rash in scarlet fever?
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How does the infection of scarlet fever spread?
How does the infection of scarlet fever spread?
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What is the characteristic of the rash in scarlet fever?
What is the characteristic of the rash in scarlet fever?
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What happens to the reddened skin when pressure is applied?
What happens to the reddened skin when pressure is applied?
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What is the common symptom of Scarlet fever besides high fever?
What is the common symptom of Scarlet fever besides high fever?
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How long did the boy have a fever before being hospitalized?
How long did the boy have a fever before being hospitalized?
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What is the appearance of the face in scarlet fever?
What is the appearance of the face in scarlet fever?
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What is the result of untreated scarlet fever?
What is the result of untreated scarlet fever?
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What was the initial diagnosis made by the family doctor?
What was the initial diagnosis made by the family doctor?
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What was the medication given to the patient by the family doctor?
What was the medication given to the patient by the family doctor?
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What is the significance of antibiotic treatments in scarlet fever?
What is the significance of antibiotic treatments in scarlet fever?
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What was the notable feature of the rash on the 4th day?
What was the notable feature of the rash on the 4th day?
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What was the patient's underlying medical condition?
What was the patient's underlying medical condition?
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What was the patient's heart rate on admission?
What was the patient's heart rate on admission?
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What was the patient's blood pressure on admission?
What was the patient's blood pressure on admission?
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What is the likely diagnosis (Dx) based on the patient's symptoms?
What is the likely diagnosis (Dx) based on the patient's symptoms?
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What is the causative agent of Scarlet fever?
What is the causative agent of Scarlet fever?
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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.
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Description
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.