Strep Infection and Scarlet Fever (Scarletina)

Symptoms

Streptococcal sore throat (strep throat) is a bacterial infection. Sore throat, headache, fever, tonsillitis and tender lymph nodes of the neck may be warning signs of strep infection. Strep throat can also occur with very few symptoms; all sore throats resembling "strep throat" are not due to strep. Scarlet fever is the combination of strep throat and a rash. The fine rash feels like sandpaper and appears most often on the neck, chest and body. Typically this rash does not involve the face but there is flushing of the cheeks.

Incidences

Cases most often occur in children between three to fifteen years of age. The highest incidence of the disease is during late winter and early spring.

Treatment and communicability

With adequate antibiotic therapy, communicability usually ends after48 hours. Therefore, children must be on antibiotic therapy for at least 48 hours before being readmitted to school. In addition, children must be fever and symptom free for 24 hours prior to returning to school. (It may be longer if so advised by the private doctor).

Parents must continue the antibiotic therapy for the full ten to fourteen days to prevent further complications and reoccurrence. Please see the doctor promptly if your child displays any of the above symptoms for strep infection.