Scarlet Fever - Description

Scarlet fever gets its name from the appearance of the patient's skin, especially around the cheeks, which becomes red and flushed. Scarlet fever is accompanied by a sore throat, fever, sluggishness, and a raised rash over much of the body.

The fever that accompanies scarlet fever usually lasts only a few days. By the end of two weeks, the disease has usually run its course. At that point, skin begins to peel off. The most dramatic peeling occurs on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Scarlet fever primarily affects children ages two to ten. It is highly contagious and is spread by sneezing, coughing, or direct contact. The incubation period is three to five days. The incubation period is the time between infection and the first appearance of symptoms. The symptoms of scarlet fever usually last four to ten days.

At one time, scarlet fever was a very common disease, but it has since become quite rare. This is due in part to the availability of antibiotics that are able to kill off the infection. Some scientists believe another reason for the decline is that the organism that causes scarlet fever became weaker.