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Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococcus (GAS). [3] It most commonly affects children between five and 15 years of age. [1] The signs and symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. [1]
The 1875–1876 Australia scarlet fever epidemic was a severe outbreak of scarlet fever in the British colonies of Victoria and New South Wales in Australia.Part of a series of measles and scarlet fever epidemics in Victoria as a result of poor sanitation in the post-gold rush era, the epidemic claimed in both colonies the lives of over 8,000 people, mainly children. [1]
In the UK, scarlet fever was considered benign for two centuries, but fatal epidemics were seen in the 1700s. [56] Scarlet fever broke out in England in the 19th century and was responsible for an enormous number of deaths in the 60-year period from 1825 to 1885; decades that followed had lower levels of annual mortality from scarlet fever. [52]
The first stage of scarlet fever is typically strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis) characterized by sore throat, fever, headache and sometimes nausea and vomiting. In two to three days, this is followed by the appearance of a diffuse erythematous rash that has a sandpaper texture.
[9] [10] Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, red tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes in the front of the neck. A headache and nausea or vomiting may also occur. [11] Some develop a sandpaper-like rash which is known as scarlet fever. [2] Symptoms typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to ten days. [2] [3] [11]
Scarlet fever is also a non-invasive infection caused by GAS, although much less common. The invasive infections caused by Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus tend to be more severe and less common. These occurs when the bacterium is able to infect areas where bacteria are not usually found, such as blood and organs. [8]
George Frederick Dick (July 21, 1881 – October 10, 1967) was an American physician and bacteriologist best known for his work with scarlet fever. Dick studied scarlet fever whilst serving the Army Medical Corps during World War I. Dick continued with his research into scarlet fever following the war, and in 1923, in collaboration with his ...
A rash accompanied by a fever might be smallpox, measles, scarlet fever, or varicella, and many epidemics overlapped with multiple infections striking the same population at once, therefore it is often impossible to know the exact causes of mortality (although ancient DNA studies can often determine the presence of certain microbes). [31]