From the Guidelines
The signs and symptoms of scarlet fever exposure include sudden-onset sore throat, fever, scarlet fever rash, headache, and G.I. symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Clinical Presentation
The clinical presentation of scarlet fever, caused by Group A streptococcal (GAS) infection, typically includes:
- Sudden-onset sore throat
- Pain on swallowing
- Fever
- Scarlet fever rash
- Headache
- G.I. symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Tonsillopharyngeal erythema
- Tonsillopharyngeal exudates
- Soft palate petechiae (“doughnut” lesions)
- Beefy, red, swollen uvula
- Tender, enlarged anterior cervical nodes 1
Differential Diagnosis
It is essential to differentiate scarlet fever from viral infections, which may present with distinct symptoms such as conjunctivitis, coryza, cough, hoarseness, discrete ulcerative stomatitis, and viral exanthem 1.
Epidemiology
Scarlet fever typically affects children between 5 to 15 years of age and is more common during winter or early spring in temperate climates, with a history of exposure to streptococcal pharyngitis being a significant risk factor 1.
From the Research
Signs and Symptoms of Scarlet Fever
The signs and symptoms of scarlet fever exposure include:
- Sore throat 2, 3, 4, 5
- Fever 2, 3, 4, 6, 5
- Sandpaper-like, papular skin rash 2, 3, 4, 5
- Flushed cheeks 3
- Enlarged lymph nodes 4
- Tonsillar exudate 4
- Absence of cough 4
Gastrointestinal (G.I.) Symptoms
There is no direct evidence of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with scarlet fever in the provided studies. However, it is essential to note that the studies primarily focus on the general symptoms and diagnosis of scarlet fever, rather than specifically addressing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Age-Related Symptoms
The pattern of onset of symptoms may vary with age: