Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is contagious and is spread from person to person by breathing in airborne droplets from an infected person's coughing or sneezing.

Bacteria can also be passed by:

• touching the infected skin of someone with a streptococcal skin infection
• sharing contaminated clothes, towels or bed linen.

Those at greatest risk for scarlet fever include:

• people living in overcrowded environment such as boarding schools, day care or military camps
• tamariki older than 3 years
• people in close contact with someone who has a strep throat or skin infection.

Scarlet fever symptoms usually show within 1 to 4 days of getting it. Symptoms include:

• sore throat
• high temperature — 38 degrees or more
• vomiting
• headache
• a whitish coating on the surface of the tongue — making the tongue look like a strawberry because the normal bumps on the tongue look bigger
• a flushed face except for an area around the lips
• a fine red rash.

The rash shows up as tiny red bumps starting on the neck or chest and then spreading to other areas of the body. It looks like sunburn but is usually rough to touch. The rash may last for 2 to 7 days. After the rash is gone, there may be some peeling on the tips of the fingers and the toes.

If not treated, scarlet fever can cause the following complications:

• rheumatic fever — which can permanently damage the body and require long-term treatment
• earache (otitis media)
• pneumonia
• sepsis (septicaemia)
• inflammation of the kidney filters (glomerulonephritis)
• inflammation or infection of bone tissue (osteomyelitis)
• death.

Scarlet fever is diagnosed by a blood test or throat swab.

Tamariki and adults should stay away from school or work until 24 hours after starting treatment or as your healthcare provider advises.

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics. It is important to take the full course of antibiotics to make sure the infection is cleared and reduce the risk of complications.

Additional treatments include:

• paracetamol when necessary for fever, headache or throat pain
• eating soft foods and drinking plenty of cool liquids, particularly if the throat is very painful
• oral antihistamines and moisturisers to relieve the itch of rash.

Keep fingernails short on tamariki to prevent them from damaging the skin.

The fever usually improves within 12 to 24 hours after starting antibiotics. Most people recover after 4 to 5 days, with skin symptoms clearing over several weeks.

Wash your hands often.