Doctors treat scarlet fever with antibiotics. Either penicillin or amoxicillin are recommended as a first choice for people who are not allergic to penicillin. Doctors can use other antibiotics to treat scarlet fever in people who are allergic to penicillin.
Benefits of antibiotics include:
Decreasing how long someone is sick
Decreasing symptoms (feeling better)
Preventing the bacteria from spreading to others
Preventing serious complications like rheumatic fever
Long-term Health Problems Are Not Common but Can Happen
Complications are rare but can occur after having scarlet fever. This can happen if the bacteria spread to other parts of the body. Complications can include: