Living with Staphylococcal scarlet fever
A rare bacterial infection with a red, sandpaper-like rash, strawberry-like tongue, and sore throat.
Understanding Staphylococcal scarlet fever
People may also have a flushed face with a pale area around the mouth, sore throat, tonsillitis, fever, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. It can affect people of any age, though it is most common in children. Possible complications include sinusitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, kidney inflammation, and heart valve infection.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these:
- Red, sandpaper-like rash
- Strawberry-like tongue
- Flushed face with pale skin around the mouth
- Sore throat or tonsillitis
- Fever and headache
- Swollen lymph nodes
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD's summary says it is caused by infection with toxin-producing strains of Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Staphylococcal scarlet fever.
Explore research for Staphylococcal scarlet fever
Explore actively recruiting Staphylococcal scarlet fever studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Staphylococcal scarlet fever with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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