Scarlet fever once had been a dangerous illness, but with early care it is easily treatable.
Scarlet fever needs to be treated with antibiotic and can not be left to run its course, it is characterize by sore throat, high fever  spots on the tongue ( looks like strawberry tongue ), bright red rash.  If left untreated it can lead to arthritis, jaundice, kidney problems rheumatic fever and can lead to death.  Incubation period is 2 to 5 days, and anywhere from 24 to 48 hours later, a rash ( scarlet rash ) appears, the rash can feel like sandpaper.

Scarlet fever is caused by a bacteria known as streptococcal, it is contagious and spread by contact with an infected person or from inhalation of the bacteria

Symptoms:

Sore Throat
High fever 
Rash - usually starts at the neck and chest than spreading through out the whole body
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea and or vomiting
Abdominal pain
Tongue becomes red and swollen ( looks like strawberry tongue )

 * Your doctor may want to take a culture of your throat for the presence of streptococcal bacteria, he/she will examine your throat.  Your doctor may order blood work to be done. 

Treatment:

Antibiotic therapy
Drink plenty of fluids
Acetaminophen ( tylenol product ) * do not take aspirin unless specified by your doctor, due to the fact that  it can be associated with Reye's syndrome ( a sometimes fatal brain disease - cause - unknown )
Cool baths helps to reduce fever.
Your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine/anitpuritis medication to relieve the itching

Latest Article: Salmonella

What it is: Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. The Salmonella germ is actually a group of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans.  They are microscopic living creatures that pass from the feces of people or animals, to other people or other animals. There are many different...

Related Articles:

• Scabies
  Scabies: A contagious skin disease due to the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei; the female mite bores into the stratum corium (the dermis; or the layer of the skin deep to the epidermis ),...
• Scarlet Fever
  Scarlet fever also known as Scarlatina Scarlet fever once had been a dangerous illness, but with early care it is easily treatable. Scarlet fever needs to be treated with antibiotic...
• Schizophrenia
  Schizophrenia:   Severe emotional disorder, usually of psychotic proportions, characterized by withdrawal from reality, delusion, hallucinations, ambivalence, inappropriate affect, and...
• Sciatica
  Sciatic:   pertaining to the ischium Sciatica is a form of neuritis ( inflammation of a nerve ) characterized by severe pain along the sciatic nerve and its branches.  The pain...
• Scoliosis
  Scoliosis:   a lateral curvature of the vertebral column., scoliosis may occur in the thoracic, lumbar, or thoracolumbar spinal segment.  The curve may be convex to the right ( more...
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  Sexually Transmitted Disorders or STD:   A group of contagious sexually related disorders results from infection that is transmitted through sexual contact.  These disorders include...
• Shingles
  Shingles  also known as Herpes zoster:   this disorder is an acute unilateral and segmental inflammation of the dorsal root ganglia caused by infection with the herpes virus...
• Sickle Cell Anemia
  Sickle cell anemia:   A congenital hemolytic anemia that occurs primarily but not exclusively in black people, sickle cell anemia results from a defective hemoglobin molecule ( hemoglobin...
• Sinusitis
  Sinusitis:   Inflammation of the sinus.   " I have sinus" is an expression many people use to indicate they have an infection of the sinuses.  The sinuses are located close to...
• Skin Cancer
  Skin Cancer: The most common of these cancers include; malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant melanoma: A cancer that arises from...
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  Squamous cell carcinoma: The skin cancer is an invasive tumor with metastatic potential. It may be caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays, X - ray therapy, chronic skin...
• Stroke
  Stroke also called Cerebrovascular accident or CVA: Is a sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain. A CVA...
• Syphilis
  Syphilis:   This Chronic, infectious venereal disease begins in the mucous membranes and rapidly becomes systemic, spreading to nearby lymph nodes and the bloodstream.  The infecting...