Treatment:

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

Expectations (prognosis):

With proper antibiotic treatment, the symptoms of scarlet fever should resolve quickly (though the rash can last for up to 2 - 3 weeks before it is fully resolved).

Complications:

Complications are rare with proper treatment. These can include:

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

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of scarlet fever develop, if symptoms do not subside 24 hours after beginning antibiotic treatment, or if new symptoms develop.