Scarlatina (Scarlet fever) - Definition
April 2018
Definition
Scarlet fever, previously called scarlatina, is a contagious disease that affects children caused by the streptococcus bacteria from group A of the genus, which is transmitted by inhalation of droplets of saliva expelled by sneezing or coughing. Scarlet fever manifests after a period of symptoms lasting 3 to 5 days (incubation period) as high, sudden fever with sore throat and swollen cervical glands. Some hours after these manifestations, a rash appears, initially on the chest, then spreading to the limbs and little by little reaching the cheeks and around the mouth. Late on it affects the tongue, constituting one of the most stereotypical symptoms, as it turns from white to red, classically described as "strawberry" tongue. The rash disappears after a few days, giving way to desquamation, a type of peeling skin, which lasts around 3 weeks. By administering antibiotics, the condition can be healed and the disease progression stopped.