scarlet fever

American  

noun

Pathology.

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

---

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

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

Peggy and Dorothy discovered the truth, only to learn that the little boy had since died of scarlet fever.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

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

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

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2024

In just one week in January 1862, he and his wife lost three of their four living children to a scarlet fever epidemic raging through the Confederate capital of Richmond.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2023

Or the kid that was your partner in line the last time had got scarlet fever and you'd have a new partner.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger