Due to the bacterium Streptococcus beta-haemolytic group A, scarlet fever can be transmitted through saliva and volatile droplets emitted by coughing, sneezing, deep breaths, etc., or through contact with objects contaminated by the bacterium (for example, cutlery previously used by a scarlet fever patient).
In addition to the scarlet red rash, to complete the symptomatological picture of scarlet fever are: fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, tachycardia, headache, white strawberry tongue (in an early phase of the disease), diffuse furfuraceous desquamation (in a late stage of the disease) and raspberry tongue (also in a late stage of the disease).
Generally, the diagnosis of scarlet fever is based on the "physical examination, ie the evaluation of the symptoms and signs complained of by the patient; in the presence of any doubts, the use of a throat swab is decisive.
Treatment includes antibiotic-based drug therapy for at least 7-10 days and bed rest for as long as the fever is present.
With adequate treatment, the prognosis is generally positive.
