Rheumatic fever (RF) and scarlet fever are both caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, but they present with different symptoms and complications, some of them potentially serious.

Scarlet fever is itself a bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Also known as scarlatina, it’s most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15. This infection is highly contagious, meaning it can easily be passed from person to person.

If left untreated, scarlet fever can lead to RF.

RF is an inflammatory condition that can develop as a complication of untreated strep throat, strep skin infection, or scarlet fever. It also typically occurs in children 5 to 15 and affects about 470,000 people each year.

RF can lead to inflammation in various parts of the body, typically the heart, joints, skin, and brain.

Symptoms of rheumatic fever may include:

  • fever
  • joint pain and swelling
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • fatigue
  • skin rash

Scarlet fever is characterized by a red rash that covers most of the body and gives the skin a rough, sandpaper-like texture. Additional symptoms may include:

  • sore throat
  • fever
  • headache
  • swollen tonsils
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • red lines in the folds of the skin
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting

Treatment for both RF and scarlet fever includes antibiotics to eliminate the streptococcal bacteria.

Additionally, RF treatment typically involves anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation and swelling and other medications to manage specific symptoms or complications of the condition.

In severe cases, you may require ongoing monitoring and additional antibiotics to prevent complications and protect heart health.

Scarlet fever usually involves additional medications to manage or treat its symptoms.

While both RF and scarlet fever are associated with group A Streptococcus bacteria, RF is an inflammatory response affecting various parts of your body, and scarlet fever specifically presents with a distinctive rash, headache, fever and swelling of lymph nodes and tonsils.

RF is the more serious condition, but scarlet fever passes from person to person easily and can lead to RF.

RF requires prompt treatment to reduce the risk of long-term damage to your body. It’s also important to get medical attention promptly if you believe you have scarlet fever in order to prevent complications and reduce the risk of passing the infection to others.

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have symptoms of either condition.