eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Bacterial Infections
Scarlet Fever: Follow-up
Updated: Apr 28, 2009
Follow-up
Further Outpatient Care
- Follow-up evaluation is recommended to ensure resolution of the primary infection. Some patients report pruritus associated with the desquamating rash. Oral antihistamines and emollients usually are sufficient to control the pruritus.
Complications
- A number of serious complications may develop as a consequence of streptococcal infection. Otitis media, pneumonia, septicemia, osteomyelitis, rheumatic fever, and acute glomerulonephritis are the most common. Appropriate evaluation and early intervention with antibiotics are essential to prevent these disorders.
Prognosis
- When identified in a timely fashion, the prognosis is excellent. Most patients recover after 4-5 days, with resolution of skin symptoms over several weeks.
Patient Education
- Completion of the prescribed antibiotic regimen is essential. Follow general good hygiene precautions, especially in households with other small children.
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Children's Health Center and Ear, Nose, and Throat Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Strep Throat and Skin Rashes in Children.
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Follow-up: Scarlet Fever |
| Multimedia: Scarlet Fever |
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References
Dong H, Xu G, Li S, et al. Beta-haemolytic group A streptococci emm75 carrying altered pyrogenic exotoxin A linked to scarlet fever in adults. J Infect. Apr 2008;56(4):261-7. [Medline].
Yang SG, Dong HJ, Li FR, Xie SY, Cao HC, Xia SC, et al. Report and analysis of a scarlet fever outbreak among adults through food-borne transmission in China. J Infect. Nov 2007;55(5):419-24. [Medline].
Cunningham MW. Pathogenesis of group A streptococcal infections. Clin Microbiol Rev. Jul 2000;13(3):470-511. [Medline].
Sandrini J, Beucher AB, Kouatchet A, Lavigne C. [Scarlet fever with multisystem organ failure and hypertrophic gastritis.]. Rev Med Interne. May 2009;30(5):456-9. [Medline].
Gomez-Carrasco JA, Lassaletta A, Ruano D. [Acute hepatitis may form part of scarlet fever]. An Pediatr (Barc). Apr 2004;60(4):382-3. [Medline].
Guven A. Hepatitis and hematuria in scarlet fever. Indian J Pediatr. Nov 2002;69(11):985-6. [Medline].
Lau SK, Woo PC, Yuen KY. Toxic scarlet fever complicating cellulitis: early clinical diagnosis is crucial to prevent a fatal outcome. New Microbiol. Apr 2004;27(2):203-6. [Medline].
Leslie DL, Kozma L, Martin A, et al. Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infection: A Case-Control Study Among Privately Insured Children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. Aug 21 2008;[Medline].
Gaston DA, Zurowski SM. Arcanobacterium haemolyticum pharyngitis and exanthem. Three case reports and literature review. Arch Dermatol. Jan 1996;132(1):61-4. [Medline].
Sanz JC, Bascones Mde L, Martin F, Saez-Nieto JA. [Recurrent scarlet fever due to recent reinfection caused by strains unrelated to Streptococcus pyogenes.]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. Jun-Jul 2005;23(6):388-9. [Medline].
Swartz MN, Weinberg AN. Infections due to Gram-Positive Bacteria. In: Dermatology in General Medicine. Vol 2. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1993:2318-20.
Further Reading
Keywords
scarlet fever, scarlatina, group A beta hemolytic streptococci, GABHS, septicemia, rheumatic fever, erythematous eruption, rash, upper respiratory infections, streptococcal wound infections, osteomyelitis, white strawberry tongue, red strawberry tongue, fine erythematous punctate eruption, Pastia lines, beta hemolytic Lancefield Group A streptococcus
Follow-up: Scarlet Fever