Treatment:

Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that causes the throat infection. This is crucial to prevent rheumatic fever, a serious complication of strep throat and scarlet fever.

Expectations (prognosis):

With proper antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of scarlet fever should get better quickly. However, the rash can last for up to 2 - 3 weeks before it fully goes away.

Complications:

Complications are rare with the right treatment, but can include:

• Acute rheumatic fever
• Bone or joint problems (osteomyelitis or arthritis)
• Ear infection (otitis media)
• Inflammation of a gland (adenitis) or abscess
• Kidney damage (glomerulonephritis)
• Liver damage (hepatitis)
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if:

• You develop symptoms of scarlet fever
• Your symptoms do not go away 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment
• You develop new symptoms