scarlet fever

noun

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

Examples of scarlet fever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Frequently Asked Questions Can scarlet fever go away on its own? —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 15 Feb. 2025

In extreme cases, the disease is much worse than strep throat or even scarlet fever. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

In those days, patients afflicted with scarlet fever were treated in infectious disease wards. —Linda Chase, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2024

The most common causes include Kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1651, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scarlet fever

noun

: a contagious disease caused by a bacterium and characterized by fever, swelling, pain in the nose, throat, and mouth, and a red rash

Medical Definition

scarlet fever

noun

scar·​let fever ˈskär-lət- 

: an acute contagious febrile disease caused by Group A bacteria of the genus Streptococcus (especially various strains of S. pyogenes) and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

called also scarlatina