Home > Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine > Scarlet Fever

Definition

Scarlet fever is an infection caused by a streptococcus bacterium. It can be transmitted through the air or by physical contact and primarily affects children between four and eight years of age. In temperate climates, scarlet fever is most common during the late fall, winter, and early spring.

Scarlet fever is characterized by a sore throat, a fever of 103–104°F (39.4–40°C), and a sandpaper-like rash on reddened skin. If scarlet fever is untreated, such serious complications can develop; as rheumatic fever (a heart disease) or kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis).

Description

Scarlet fever, or scarlatina, gets its name from the...