Scarlet FeverSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with bacteria called group A streptococcus. This is the same bacteria that causes strep throat.
Scarlatina; Strep infection - scarlet fever; Streptococcus - scarlet fever
Scarlet fever used to be a severe childhood disease. The group A strep bacteria produce a toxin that causes a distinctive red rash, which led to the name.
The main risk factor for getting scarlet fever is infection with the bacteria that causes strep throat. An outbreak of strep throat or scarlet fever in the community, neighborhood, or school may increase the risk of infection.
The time between infection and symptoms is short, most often 1 to 2 days. The illness will likely begin with a fever and sore throat.
The rash first appears on the neck and chest, then spreads over the body. People say it feels like sandpaper. The texture of the rash is more important than the appearance to confirm the diagnosis. The rash can last for more than a week. As the rash fades, the skin around the fingertips, toes, and groin area may peel.
Other symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bright red color in the creases of the underarm and groin
- Chills
- Fever
- General discomfort (malaise)
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Swollen, red tongue (strawberry tongue)
- Vomiting
Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that cause the throat infection. This is crucial to prevent rheumatic fever, a serious complication of strep throat and scarlet fever.
Gordon Dougan practices practicing medicine in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Mr. Dougan is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Scarlet Fever. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Salmonella Enterocolitis, Typhoid Fever, Scarlet Fever, and Cholera.
St. Christopher's Pediatric Associates Emergency Medicine - E. Erie Avenue
Sarah Urbon is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Urbon is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Scarlet Fever. She is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Asthma in Children, Scarlet Fever, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), and Diarrhea. Dr. Urbon is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics.
Theresa Lamagni practices practicing medicine in London, United Kingdom. Ms. Lamagni is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Scarlet Fever. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Scarlet Fever, Streptococcal Group A Infection, Strep Throat, Streptococcal Group B Infection, and Gallbladder Removal.
With proper antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of scarlet fever should get better quickly. However, the rash can last for up to 2 to 3 weeks before it fully goes away.
Complications are rare with the right treatment, but may include:
- Acute rheumatic fever, which can affect the heart, joints, skin, and brain
- Ear infection
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Pneumonia
- Sinus infection
- Swollen lymph glands or abscess
Contact your provider if:
- You develop symptoms of scarlet fever
- Your symptoms do not go away 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment
- You develop new symptoms
Bacteria are spread by direct contact with infected people, or by droplets an infected person coughs or exhales. Avoid contact with infected people.
Summary: Trial Objectives and Exploration Indicators： 1. To explore the improvement effect of different doses of Qinqiao Yanshu Granules on the symptoms/conditions and TCM syndromes of acute pharyngitis (Wind - Heat Exogenous Syndrome), and its effect on shortening the course of the disease. 2. To observe the safety of the clinical application of Qinqiao Yanshu Granules. Overall Trial Design：A block - rand...
Published Date: January 14, 2026
Published By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bryant AE, Stevens DL. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A streptococcus). In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 202.
Michaels MG, Williams JV. Infectious diseases. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 13.
Shulman ST, Patel AB. Group A streptococcus. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 229.
Stevens DL, Bryant AE, Hagman MM. Nonpneumococcal streptococcal infections and rheumatic fever. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 269.