Scarlet fever overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Scarlet fever is an exotoxin-mediated disease that occurs most often in association with a sore throat and rarely with impetigo or other streptococcal infections. It is characterized by sore throat, fever, a 'strawberry' tongue, and a fine sandpaper rash over the upper body that may spread to cover almost the entire body. Scarlet fever is not rheumatic fever, but may progress into that condition as the infection develops (rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that can occur after infection with Group A strep).