The control of Scarlet Fever: BJN 100 years ago

Abstract

Although uncommon today, Scarlet Fever was a serious infectious disease, often affecting children, which led to serious side effects. We now know that it is caused by a strain of streptococcal bacteria and can be easily treated with antibiotics. The symptoms include a severe sore throat, vomiting, high fever and a rash of tiny red spots on the neck and upper trunk that spreads rapidly. The throat and tonsils appear intensely red, the tongue is furred and often has an appearance which gave rise to the term, ‘white strawberry tongue’, as the surface is covered with a creamy white fur through which bright red spots project. Later, the fur strips off from the edges inwards, leaving a perfectly clean, bright red tongue, to which the name ‘red strawberry tongue’ has been applied.