Adult scarlet fever: Case report and epidemiology.

A 30-year-old woman presented to the ED with a generalized rash, fever, and tachycardia. A detailed review of systems and physical examination revealed symptoms and signs of streptococcal pharyngitis. PCR testing confirmed the diagnosis of streptococcal infection and scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is generally a disease of children, but episodic outbreaks are associated with the disease in adults, sometimes with significant complications. It is important for Emergency Medicine clinicians to be aware of this childhood illness presenting in adults.