What is the Difference Between Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

Bacteria known as group A Streptococcus can cause a variety of infections, ranging from minor ailments to severe and life-threatening conditions. These diseases include strep throat, scarlet fever, cellulitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, impetigo, necrotizing fasciitis, and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Both strep throat and scarlet fever are caused by group A Streptococcus and share some common symptoms. Moreover, these conditions are more prevalent in children aged 5 to 15 years. However, they differ in their clinical features.

The difference between strep throat and scarlet fever is their symptoms. People with strep throat have fever, an inflamed, painful throat with swelling of the tonsils, while people with scarlet fever have all the symptoms associated with strep throat with a fine, reddish rash on the skin.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Strep Throat  
3. What is Scarlet Fever
4. Similarities Between Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever
5. Strep Throat vs Scarlet Fever in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Strep Throat vs Scarlet Fever
7. FAQ – Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

What is Strep Throat?

Strep throat, also known as sore throat or medically pharyngitis, is caused by a bacterial infection from group A Streptococcus. Symptoms of this condition may include sudden fever, chills, red sore throat, pain when swallowing, swollen and tender neck glands, loss of appetite, abnormal sense of taste, headache, and nausea.

Diagnosis of strep throat involves evaluating physical symptoms and culturing. Treatment options typically include prescribed antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin, along with home remedies such as drinking warm liquids, gargling with salt water several times a day, consuming cold liquids, sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges, using a cool mist vaporizer, and taking over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

What is Scarlet Fever?

Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is characterized by a distinctive pink-red or discolored rash on the skin, primarily affecting children. Symptoms may include a red, sore throat with white or yellowish patches, a fever of 101 Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) or higher often accompanied by chills, and a rash appearing 12 to 48 hours after the initial symptoms on various parts of the body.

Caused by the bacterium S. pyogenes, or group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, scarlet fever is diagnosed through physical symptom evaluation, throat swab culturing, and blood tests. Treatment options may include prescribed penicillin, increased fluid intake, maintaining a cool environment, administering acetaminophen to alleviate aches, pains, and fever, and applying calamine lotion to reduce itching.

Similarities Between Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

1. Strep throat and scarlet fever are both caused by group A Streptococcus.
2. Both share some common symptoms.
3. Both can be diagnosed through physical symptom evaluation and throat swab culturing.
4. They can be treated through therapies and specific medications such as antibiotics.

Difference Between Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

Definition

1. Strep throat is a bacterial infection characterized by high fever and an inflamed, painful throat with tonsil swelling.
2. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection exhibiting all symptoms of strep throat along with a fine, reddish rash on the skin.

Symptoms

1. Symptoms of strep throat include fever, chills, red sore throat, pain when swallowing, swollen and tender neck glands, loss of appetite, abnormal sense of taste, headache, and nausea.
2. Scarlet fever symptoms comprise a red, sore throat, sometimes with white or yellowish patches, fever of 101 Fahrenheit (38.3 Celsius) or higher often with chills, and a rash appearing 12 to 48 hours after initial symptoms on various body parts.

Diagnosis

1. Strep throat diagnosis involves physical symptom evaluation and culturing.
2. Scarlet fever diagnosis includes physical symptom evaluation, throat swab culturing, and blood tests.

Treatment

1. Treatment for strep throat includes prescribed antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin, drinking warm liquids, gargling with salt water, consuming cold liquids, sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges, using a cool mist vaporizer, and taking over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
2. Treatment for scarlet fever may involve prescribed antibiotic penicillin, increased fluid intake, maintaining a cool environment, administering acetaminophen to relieve aches and pains and reduce fever, and applying calamine lotion to alleviate itching.

The infographic below presents the differences between strep throat and scarlet fever in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Strep Throat vs Scarlet Fever

Strep throat and scarlet fever are two diseases caused by group A Streptococcus. People with strep throat have fever, an inflamed, painful throat with swelling of the tonsils, while people with scarlet fever have all the symptoms associated with strep throat with a fine, reddish rash on the skin. Thus, this is the key difference between strep throat and scarlet fever.

FAQ: Strep Throat and Scarlet Fever

1. What are the symptoms of strep throat?

• Fever, pain when swallowing, sore throat that starts quickly and may appear red, red and swollen tonsils, and white patches or streaks of pus on the tonsils, along with petechiae and swollen lymph nodes in the front of the neck, are symptoms of strep throat.

2. Can strep throat go away on its own?

• Strep throat typically resolves in three to seven days, with or without antibiotic treatment. However, if left untreated, it can remain contagious for two to three weeks, increasing the risk of complications such as rheumatic fever.

3. How do people get strep throat?

• Streptococcal bacteria are contagious and can spread through droplets when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes or through shared food or drinks. Additionally, these bacteria can be transferred from surfaces like doorknobs to the nose, mouth, or eyes.

4. What are the three symptoms of scarlet fever?

• Scarlet fever typically begins with a fever and sore throat, accompanied by chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, and malaise. Additionally, streptococcal bacteria produce a toxin that causes a rash to develop one to two days after the onset of illness, appearing on the skin of the ears, throat, thighs, groin, and other parts of the body.

5. Is there a vaccine for scarlet fever?

• There is currently no vaccine available to prevent scarlet fever. Children with scarlet fever should refrain from attending school or daycare for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotics. The most effective preventive measure is frequent handwashing.

Reference:

1. “Strep Throat.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Scarlet Fever: All You Need to Know.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Strep throat with white strawberry tongue” By Whispyhistory – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Child with scarlet fever” By Dr Graham Beards with thanks to Tamii Render – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia