What is the Difference Between Scarlet Fever and Rheumatic Fever?

Scarlet fever and rheumatic fever are both diseases caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria, but they differ in their symptoms, development, and potential complications.

Scarlet Fever:

Scarlet fever usually occurs after a few days of being exposed to the group-A strep bacteria.
It presents with fever and a classic red, raised rash on most of the body.
It responds well to a single course of antibiotics.
Symptoms include a bright red rash that covers most of the body, a sore throat, and a fever.

Rheumatic Fever:

Rheumatic fever develops 2-4 weeks after exposure to group-A strep.
It is an inflammatory disease that can develop when strep throat or scarlet fever isn't properly treated.
Rheumatic fever most often affects children ages 5 to 15 but can also occur in younger children and adults.
Symptoms include fever, joint pain and inflammation, chest pain, fatigue, and a flat or slightly raised, painless rash with a ragged edge.
Rheumatic fever can cause long-lasting heart damage, including heart valve problems and heart failure.

In summary, the main differences between scarlet fever and rheumatic fever are the time of onset, symptoms, and potential complications. Scarlet fever occurs earlier after exposure to the bacteria, presents with a red rash and sore throat, and responds well to antibiotics. In contrast, rheumatic fever develops later, presents with joint pain and inflammation, and can cause long-lasting heart damage.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Scarlet Fever and Rheumatic Fever?

Comparative Table: Scarlet Fever vs Rheumatic Fever

Scarlet fever and rheumatic fever are both childhood illnesses associated with group-A strep bacteria. They share some similarities, but there are key differences between the two conditions. Here is a table outlining the differences between scarlet fever and rheumatic fever:

Feature	Scarlet Fever	Rheumatic Fever
Cause	Group A streptococcus bacteria	Group A streptococcus bacteria
Symptoms	Bright red rash, sore throat, fever, accentuation of red rash in flexor creases (e.g., underarms, groin)	Joint inflammation, fever, rapid heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, heart murmur (if heart is affected)
Complications	Rare complications can include peritonsillar abscesses, kidney infection, rheumatic fever	Rheumatic fever is a complication of scarlet fever, which can lead to heart valve damage, heart failure, or valvular heart disease
Diagnosis	Scarlet fever is diagnosed through blood tests	Rheumatic fever is diagnosed based on the presence of one major criterion plus two minor criteria, or two major criteria plus two minor criteria
Age Range	Most common among children 5 through 15 years of age, rare in children younger than 3 years of age	Usually appears in children between ages 5 and 15, but can also affect older children and adults

Scarlet fever is characterized by a bright red rash, sore throat, and fever, while rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that develops if strep throat or scarlet fever isn't identified and treated early, leading to joint inflammation and various other symptoms. Rheumatic fever can cause heart valve damage, heart failure, or valvular heart disease if left untreated.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.