What is scarlet fever and how do you get it

The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. Kids with scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through sneezing and coughing. A skin infection caused by strep bacteria, like impetigo, can be passed through contact with the skin. When a child is sick at home, it's always safest to keep his or her toothbrush, drinking glasses, and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and to wash these items well in hot soapy water. Wash your own hands often as you care for a child with a strep infection.

Call the doctor whenever your child suddenly develops a rash, especially if he or she also has a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands. This is especially important if your child has any of the symptoms of strep throat, or if someone in your family or at your child's daycare or school recently had a strep infection. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Scarlet Fever? What Are the Symptoms of Scarlet Fever? How Is Scarlet Fever Diagnosed? How Is Scarlet Fever Treated?

Can Scarlet Fever Be Prevented? Still, if left untreated, scarlet fever can result in more-serious conditions that affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body.

The rash and the redness in the face and tongue usually last about a week. After these signs and symptoms have subsided, the skin affected by the rash often peels. Other signs and symptoms associated with scarlet fever include:. Scarlet fever is caused by the same type of bacteria that cause strep throat. In scarlet fever, the bacteria release a toxin that produces the rash and red tongue. The infection spreads from person to person via droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The incubation period — the time between exposure and illness — is usually two to four days. Children 5 to 15 years of age are more likely than are other people to get scarlet fever. Scarlet fever germs spread more easily among people in close contact, such as family members or classmates. There is no vaccine to prevent scarlet fever. The best prevention strategies for scarlet fever are the same as the standard precautions against infections:.

If your child has scarlet fever, wash his or her drinking glasses, utensils, and, if possible, toys in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Scarlet fever can be a serious illness, but thanks to antibiotics, it's less common than it used to be and easier to treat. But cases of scarlet fever have increased in recent years.

Public Health England records the number of scarlet fever infections each year. Complications from scarlet fever are rare. They can happen during or in the weeks after the infection, and can include:. There's no evidence to suggest that getting scarlet fever during pregnancy will harm your baby. But it can make you feel unwell, so it's best to avoid close contact with anyone who has it. Many of the antibiotics used for scarlet fever are considered to be safe to take during pregnancy.

Page last reviewed: 29 June Next review due: 29 June Scarlet fever.