scarlet fever

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a contagious febrile disease caused by streptococci and characterized by a scarlet eruption.

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scarlet fever British  

noun

1. Technical name: scarlatina.  an acute communicable disease characterized by fever, strawberry-coloured tongue, and a typical rash starting on the neck and chest and spreading to the abdomen and limbs, caused by all group A haemolytic Streptococcus bacteria

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scarlet fever Scientific  

/ skär′lĭt /

1. A severe acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, occurring mainly in children, and marked by high fever, sore throat and a red skin rash.

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scarlet fever Cultural  

1. An acute and contagious disease caused by a kind of streptococcus. Characterized by fever, sore throat, and a bright red rash, scarlet fever can be treated with penicillin.

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Etymology

Origin of scarlet fever

First recorded in 1670–80

Compare meaning

How does scarlet-fever compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scarlet fever vs. roseola

Example Sentences

Even when Beth dies from the after-effects of scarlet fever, the March sisters aren’t shattered but brought closer together.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Smith, who was born in 1946, was often bed-ridden as a young girl, afflicted with tuberculosis and scarlet fever, along with all the usual childhood ailments.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

In 1922, the Trapp family experienced another disorienting tragedy when their matriarch, Agathe Whitehead, died from scarlet fever.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2025

And then she had to sacrifice herself to scarlet fever because she wore the red gown.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2024

One street is a number—the age your brother was when he died of scarlet fever.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan