What is the Difference Between Slapped Cheek and Scarlet Fever?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Slapped cheek and scarlet fever are two different medical conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as a red rash on the skin affecting the cheeks and trunk. However, they have distinct differences:
Slapped Cheek:
- Caused by parvovirus B19.
- A mild viral infection.
- Most commonly affects children aged 5-15 years.
- Symptoms usually appear around 2 weeks after infection.
- Rash typically lasts for around two weeks but can continue after that.
- Other symptoms may include red eyes, swollen glands, sore throat, and diarrhoea.
Scarlet Fever:
- Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium.
- More common in children aged 4-8.
- Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting.
- Erythematous rash with scarlet macules develops within 12-48 hours.
- Rash spreads from face to the trunk and limbs.
- Other features include strawberry tongue, white-coated tongue with red papillae showing through.
Treatment for slapped cheek is usually not necessary, but a pharmacist may recommend an antihistamine for an itchy rash. For scarlet fever, antibiotics are typically prescribed. If you are concerned about your child's symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Comparative Table: Slapped Cheek vs Scarlet Fever
The main differences between slapped cheek and scarlet fever are their causative agents, symptoms, and treatments. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two conditions:
Feature | Slapped Cheek | Scarlet Fever |
---|---|---|
Causative Agent | Parvovirus B19 | Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) |
Age Group Affected | 3-15 years | <10 years |
Transmission | Respiratory droplets | Respiratory droplets |
Infective Period | No longer infective once rash appears | Isolate from school until after 24 hours of antibiotics |
Rash | Red rash on face sparing the nose, perioral and periorbital regions. May spread to trunk and limbs as a macular rash, especially on extensor surfaces | Diffuse erythema/maculopapular rash of face, trunk, and limbs. Begins on neck or upper trunk. May peel. Circumoral pallor on face. Sandpaper texture |
Other Symptoms | Rash preceded 1/52 by coryza, sore throat, headache, low-grade fever | Rash preceded 1-2 days by fever, sore throat, myalgias, vomiting. Strawberry tongue. Cervical lymphadenopathy |
Treatment | Usually none | 10/7 phenoxymethylpenicillin |
Notifiable | No | Yes |
Both conditions are predominantly affecting children and can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation.
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