infectious disease which most commonly affects children.
Knowledge center. Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is a disease caused by a toxin (erythrogenic exotoxin) released by Streptococcus pyogenes or group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus-the disease occurs in a small percentage of patients with strep infections, such as strep throat or impetigo. Although scarlatina may be used interchangeably with scarlet fever, scarlatina is more commonly used to refer to the less acute form of scarlet fever. The bacterial illness, scarlet fever, causes a distinctive pink-red rash, which occurs when the bacteria release toxins. Scarlatina: Also called scarlet fever, a disease caused by infection with group A streptococcal bacteria that occurs in a small proportion of people with strep throat. The incubation period between contracting strep and the onset of scarlet fever is short, typically 72 hours but may range from 1 to 7 days. Illness usually begins with a fever and sore throat and may be accompanied by chills, vomiting, abdominal pain and malaise. Therapy is designed to treat the infection with antibiotics (usually penicillin) and relieve symptoms with analgesics, rest, and plenty of fluids. Scarlet fever is usually not a serious illness when treated promptly. Improvement typically begins within 24 hours of starting treatment. Scarlet fever (sometimes referred to as scarlatina) is an infectious disease characterized by fever, sore throat (pharyngitis), and a characteristic rash.  Scarlatina is an alternative name for scarlet fever, which is a much less serious infection than it used to be in the past. It is a bacterial infection caused by a form of streptococcus that is spread by droplet infection such as happens with other forms of upper respiratory tract infection. Most children with scarlatina also have a sore throat and on examination will have infected tonsils with associated glandular swelling in the neck. The tongue is usually coated and after several days the coating fades leaving the surface of the tongue looking like the skin of a strawberry. Scarlet fever (also called scarlatina in older literature) is an infectious disease which most commonly affects children. Signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, and a characteristic red rash. Scarlet fever is usually spread by inhalation. No vaccine is known, but the disease is effectively treated with antibiotics. Most of the clinical features are caused by erythrogenic toxin, a substance produced by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci) when it is infected by a certain bacteriophage. Symptoms of scarlet fever typically include a fever over 101 degrees and a red, sore throat. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache, and abdominal pain. A distinctive scarlet rash appears -- first on the neck and chest and then all over the body. The rash feels like sandpaper. Scarlet fever is a childhood diseases that can be tamed by antibiotics -- if it’s recognized and treated. Causes of scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This is the same bacterium that causes strep throat. When the bacteria release toxins scarlet fever symptoms occur, including the rash, Pastia's lines, red tongue and flushed face. Although scarlatina may be used interchangeably with scarlet fever, scarlatina is more commonly used to refer to the less acute form of scarlet fever. The bacterial illness, scarlet fever, causes a distinctive pink-red rash, which occurs when the bacteria release toxins. This illness usually occurs in a few people (about 10%) who have strep throat and occasionally streptococcal skin infections or even wound infections. Scarlet fever is also known as scarlatina; group A Streptococcus is often shortened to read as group-A strep or group a beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS). Scarlet fever is mainly known for its sunburned-skin-colored sandpaper-like skin rash that is associated with fever. 1 Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria that results in a rash and fever. 2  Group a beta hemolytic streptococci produce an erythrogenic toxin that causes scarlet fever. 3  The incubation period for scarlet fever is about 12 hours to seven days.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176242.php http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17685 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/scarlet_fever/article_em.htm http://www.irishhealth.com/askdoc.html?q=2630 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_fever http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-scarlet-fever-basics http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176242.php http://www.medicinenet.com/scarlet_fever_scarlatina/article.htm
what is scarlatina