The key difference between slapped cheek and scarlet fever is that slapped cheek is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19, while scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes.
Slapped cheek and scarlet fever are two medical conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as a red colour rash on the skin affecting the cheeks and trunk. Therefore, a slapped cheek can often be mistaken for scarlet fever. However, they are quite different conditions with different aetiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Slapped Cheek
3. What is Scarlet Fever
4. Similarities – Slapped Cheek and Scarlet Fever
5. Slapped Cheek vs. Scarlet Fever in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Slapped Cheek vs. Scarlet Fever
What is Slapped Cheek?
Slapped cheek is a skin condition caused by a virus called parvovirus B19. It most commonly affects children under the age of 10 years. However, some adults may get this condition if they are not immune from having slapped cheek in their childhood. This disease spreads by droplets from the respiratory tract. Transmission can happen through close contact, coughing, and sneezing. The symptoms of this condition may include lower-grade fever, chills, headache, body ache, sore throat, diarrhoea, firm, bright red cheeks that are burning hot in the child, a fine, red, lace-like rash on the arms and legs of the child, a rash that may be itchy, seem to fade and flare up when the child is hot or upset and painful, swollen joints in adults who suffer from this condition.
Figure 01: Slapped Cheek
Slapped cheek can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and viral culture tests. Furthermore, there are no proper treatments for this condition. But having plenty of rest, paracetamol to relieve fever, antiviral medications, using cold clothes to relieve, and drinking plenty of water may be helpful.
What is Scarlet Fever?
Scarlet fever is a condition that is caused by a toxin released by the bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes. Scarlet fever is also known as scarlatina. Children aged 5 to 15 years have a higher risk of developing scarlet fever than other age groups. However, around 80 % of cases are reported in children aged less than 10 years. The symptoms of this condition may include a red, sore throat with white or yellowish patches, fever, red blotches on the skin that spread to the ears, neck, elbows, inner thighs, groin, chest, and other parts of the body, flushed cheeks, pale area around the mouth, the rash turning white if pressed, difficulty swallowing, feeling unwell, headache, itching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, broken blood vessels in the fold of the body, swollen neck glands or lymph nodes, and a white coating on the tongue that peels away.
Figure 02: Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation, throat swabs, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for scarlet fever may include oral antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin, drinking plenty of liquids, keeping the environment cool, giving Tylenol or Acetaminophen to relieve aches and pains, and using calamine lotion to help reduce itching.
What are the Similarities Between Slapped Cheek and Scarlet Fever?
- Slapped cheek and scarlet fever are two medical conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as a red colour rash on the skin.
- Children are affected predominantly by both conditions.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation.
- They can be treated through specific medications.
What is the Difference Between Slapped Cheek and Scarlet Fever?
Slapped cheek is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19, while scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes. Thus, this is the key difference between slapped cheek and scarlet fever. Furthermore, slapped cheek most commonly affects children under the age of 10 years. On the other hand, scarlet fever cheek most commonly affects children aged 5 to 15 years.
The infographic below presents the differences between slapped cheek and scarlet fever in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Slapped Cheek vs. Scarlet Fever
Slapped cheek and scarlet fever are two conditions that are contagious. However, slapped cheek mostly affects young children aged less than 10 years. It rarely affects adults. Scarlet fever mostly affects young children aged 5 to 15 years old. Moreover, slapped cheek is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19, while scarlet fever is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes. So, this summarizes the difference between slapped cheek and scarlet fever.
Reference:
1. “Slapped Cheek Syndrome.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Scarlet Fever: All You Need to Know.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Slapped cheek Erythema Infectiosum” By Gzzz – File:Erythema_infectiosum.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Scarlet Fever” By Badobadop – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia