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Scarlet Fever, Pediatric

Emily C. Borman-Shoap, MD and John S. Andrews, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Scarlet fever or “scarlatina” is a manifestation of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus) that is characterized by an erythematous “sandpaper” ras...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Sudden onset of fever up to 40.5°C, sore throat, headache, nausea, vomiting, and toxicity are classic symptoms for group A streptococcal disease.

  • Characteristic rash typically occurs 1...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Treatment for scarlet fever is identical to therapy for streptococcal pharyngitis.

  • Therapy started up to 9 days after illness onset is effective for preventing acute rheumatic...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Fever and symptoms usually resolve within 24 to 48 hours of antibiotic treatment.

  • Patients with scarlet fever may experience hyperkeratosis. Peel...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Lamden KH. An outbreak of scarlet fever in a primary school. Arch Dis Child.  2011;96(4):394–397. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Park DW, Kim SH, Park JW, et al. Incidence and ...

CODES

ICD9

  • 034.1 Scarlet fever

  • 034.0 Streptococcal sore throat

ICD10

  • A38.9 Scarlet fever, uncomplicated

  • J02.0 Streptococcal pharyngitis

SNOMED

  • 30242009 Scarlet fever (disorder)

  • 186357007 streptococcal sore th...

FAQ

  • Q: Is culture confirmation of strep infection necessary to make the diagnosis of scarlet fever?

  • A: No. Although laboratory evidence of strep infection is supportive, scarlet fever is a clinical dia...

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