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References

Scarlet fever. 2021;
Increase in iGAS infection in children in Europe. 2022; https://tinyurl.com/s2j5d7fx
UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep. 2022; https://tinyurl.com/3mukx2s8
Increase in pediatric invasive Group A streptococcal infections. 2022; https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/han00484.asp
Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease. 2022; https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/surveillance.html
Increased incidence of scarlet fever and invasive Group A Streptococcus infection – multi-country. 2022; https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON429
Ledford H Why is strep A surging and how worried are scientists?. Nature. 2022; 612 https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-022-04403-y
Scarlet fever: diagnosis, symptoms and treatment. 2019; https://tinyurl.com/4nwe49w7
Scarlet fever: guidance and data. 2019;
Antibiotic management of GAS infections in children. 2022; https://tinyurl.com/4prdt53r
National infection prevention and control measures. 2022; https://www.nipcm.hps.scot.nhs.uk/

Scarlet fever and the dental team

From Volume 50, Issue 2, February 2023 | Pages 142-145

Authors

Rebecca Manson

BDS, MPH, DCT1

DCT1, Public Dental Service, Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Articles by Rebecca Manson

Abstract

Scarlet fever is a mild, but highly contagious disease caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. Scarlet fever begins with flu-like symptoms and, within the first 12-48 hours, it is common for a rash to develop that feels like sandpaper to the touch. In rare cases, GAS bacteria can cause an invasive infection that can be fatal. Invasive GAS (iGAS) infection occurs when the bacteria are in a place of the body where they are not normally found, such as the blood stream. Scarlet fever is usually treated with antibiotics, which can reduce the chances of the patient developing iGAS and reduce the risk of them spreading the infection to others. The World Health Organization and UK Health Security Agency have announced that the number of scarlet fever and iGAS cases observed in children has been several times higher than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent period of time. As healthcare professionals, it is important that the dental team understand key aspects of scarlet fever. Here, scarlet fever symptoms, transmission, clinical manifestations, antibiotic treatment, and risks to the dental team are reviewed.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: To describe epidemiology of scarlet fever and discuss the implications for the dental team.

Article

Scarlet fever is mild but highly contagious disease caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.1 This group of bacteria can cause a wide range of skin, soft tissue, and respiratory tract infections ranging from mild to life-threatening.1 The most serious infections linked to GAS come from invasive GAS, known as iGAS. iGAS infections occur when bacteria move to a part of the body in which they are not normally found, such as the blood stream, and in some rare cases, iGAS infections can be fatal.2 Children with viral infections, such as varicella (chickenpox) and influenza, are at a higher risk of developing iGAS disease.3 Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published in December 2022 reported an out-of-season increase in scarlet fever and iGAS infections.4 The report stated that between September and December 2022 there were 7750 notifications of scarlet fever reported.4 This compares to a total of 2538 at the same point in the year during a comparably high season in 2017-2018.4

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