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Scarlet fever in adults

What is scarlet fever? And how do the symptoms of scarlet fever manifest themselves in adults? Here you will learn more about the symptoms of scarlet fever, its causes and treatment.

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What is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus . It most often affects children aged 5–15 years, but adults can also get the disease. Sore throat, rash and fever are symptoms that the infection can cause, although the symptoms are sometimes milder in adults.

How is scarlet fever transmitted?

Scarlet fever is transmitted through droplet transmission (when an infected person coughs or sneezes), direct contact (when close contact is made with an infected person's saliva or skin) and indirect transmission (via objects such as handles, toys or towels).

The incubation period for scarlet fever is usually between 2–4 days after infection.

What are common symptoms of scarlet fever in adults?

In adults, the symptoms may be milder than symptoms in children , but they include:

  • Swollen tonsils and sore throat
  • High fever (often over 38.5°C)
  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Characteristic red rash, often on the upper body
  • Scaly skin, especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
  • "Scarlet tongue" — red and lumpy tongue

What happens in the body with scarlet fever?

When the body becomes infected by the streptococcal bacteria, they release a poison (toxin) that causes the typical rash and other symptoms. The body responds with an inflammatory process that can affect the skin, throat, and sometimes other organs.

Without treatment, the infection can lead to complications such as:

  • Strep throat
  • Nephritis (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis)
  • Rheumatic fever

How is scarlet fever treated?

Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics, usually penicillin. Treatment shortens the duration of the illness, prevents complications, and also reduces the risk of spreading the infection.

If the person is allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics are used. It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve quickly. Rest, plenty of fluids, and fever-reducing medications such as paracetamol can also relieve symptoms.

How many times can you get scarlet fever?

It is possible to get scarlet fever more than once, as you do not always develop lifelong immunity to all types of streptococcal toxins.

Signs to watch out for

  • Scaly skin on the palms of your hands: After a few weeks of scarlet fever, the skin may start to peel off.
  • High fever that does not go down: This may indicate complications and should be investigated together with a doctor.

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Biological age

This health check includes an analysis of your biological age. Biological age is a measure of how your body ages at the cellular level compared to your chronological age. Comparing your blood counts with advanced algorithms will give you a deeper insight into your overall health status and how your lifestyle affects your biological aging. Based on the PhenoAge method. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5940111/

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With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

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