Scarlet Fever: Risks of Untreated Infection & Potential Complications

If left untreated, scarlet fever can lead to a number of serious complications, including:

- Bloodstream infections: Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria that can spread through the bloodstream, leading to infections of the blood (bacteremia) or heart (endocarditis).

- Rheumatic fever: This is a rare but serious complication that can develop weeks or months after scarlet fever. Rheumatic fever can affect the heart, joints, and brain.

- Kidney damage: The bacteria that cause scarlet fever can damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

- Pneumonia: This is an infection of the lungs that can be a complication of scarlet fever.

- Meningitis: This is an infection of the brain and spinal cord that can be a rare but serious complication of scarlet fever.

In severe cases, scarlet fever can be fatal. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications and serious illness.