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 Born in July 1935 in New Brunswick, Canada, Donald McNichol Sutherland was a sickly child, battling polio, pneumonia and scarlet fever, among other diseases, as a boy. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2024 Albion Fellows Bacon: housing crusader 1865-1933 After two of Bacon's children developed scarlet fever, the Evansville mother of four went first to their schools and then the city's riverfront slums, looking for the source of their infection. Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Aug. 2016 If your child has scarlet fever, consult a physician to be tested for strep throat and treated with antibiotics. Parents Editors, Parents, 3 Sep. 2023 But medical professionals later realized that Cathy had been afflicted by Strep A, a bacterial strain that initially causes a sore throat, scarlet fever, and skin lesions, as reported by News.com.au. Sandra Rose Salathe, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for scarlet fever 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scarlet fever.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scarlet fever was circa 1651

Dictionary Entries Near scarlet fever

Cite this Entry

“Scarlet fever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarlet%20fever. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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- How to pronounce scarlet fever (audio)
: 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

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