Scarlet Fever

Diagnosis

Physical Examination for Suspected Scarlet Fever

During the physical examination, the health care provider will:

• Examine the throat area: Check the throat, tonsils, and tongue for any abnormalities.
• Check the neck: Feel the neck to see if the lymph nodes are enlarged.
• Assess the rash: Examine the appearance and texture of the rash.

Diagnostic tests for strep bacteria
If strep is suspected as the cause of your child’s symptoms, the following tests may be conducted:

• Throat swab: The provider will swab the tonsils and back of the throat to collect samples that could contain strep bacteria.
• Rapid strep test: This test can quickly identify the presence of strep bacteria, usually during the appointment itself.
• Strep throat culture: If the rapid test results are negative but strep is still suspected, a throat culture is taken for further analysis. This test takes longer to return results.

Testing for strep bacteria is critical as various conditions can mimic the symptoms of scarlet fever, necessitating different treatments. If strep bacteria are not found, another cause is likely responsible for the illness.

Treatment

If your child is diagnosed with scarlet fever, their healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic, which must be taken exactly as directed to fully eliminate the infection and prevent complications. To manage fever and throat pain, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used; however, consult with your child’s healthcare provider for the appropriate dosage. Once your child has been on antibiotics for at least 12 hours and is fever-free, they can safely return to school.