Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Symptoms of Scarlet fever

The disease often starts with a sore throat or a skin infection about 12 hours before the main symptoms appear.

The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a fine rash on the body that feels like sandpaper to touch. It may start in one place, but soon spreads to many parts of the body, commonly the neck, chest, elbows, inner thighs and groin.

The rash does not normally spread to the face, but the cheeks become flushed and the area just around the mouth stays quite pale. The overall impression of someone with a flushed, red face is what gives the disease its name.

Other symptoms include:

• high temperature,
• headache,
• white coating on the tongue which peels a few days later leaving the tongue looking red and swollen (known as ‘strawberry tongue’),
• and a general feeling of being unwell.

Very severe infections may cause high fever, feeling sick and vomiting.

• SARSScabiesScarlet feverScarsSchizophreniaSciaticaScoliosisScurvySeasonal affective disorderSecond opinionSelf-injurySeptic shockSexual health clinicsSexually transmitted infectionsShinglesShort-sightednessSick building syndromeSickle-cell anaemiaSinusitisSjogren's syndromeSlapped cheek syndromeSleep apnoeaSlipped discSmear testSmoking (quitting)SnoringSore throatSpina bifidaSpinal muscular atrophySports injuriesSprainsSquintStaphylococcal infectionsSterilisationStillbirthStings, insectStings, marine creaturesStreptococcal infectionsStressStretch marksStrokeSubarachnoid haemorrhageSubdural haematomaSudden infant death syndromeSuicideSunburnSupraventricular tachycardiaSyphilis

  ---