Hi,
Yes, it is possible to have scarlet fever in 1974...and it is still possible to become infected with it today. It used to be a serious childhood infection, but now is easily treatable, and is caused by a bacteria (A Streptococcus); the same bacteria that causes strep throat.
It looks like the CDC's MMWR (Mortality & Morbidity Weekly Report) stopped reporting on this infectious disease in 1973 (from what I can tell on their website); otherwise, I could provide more information on the prevalence. If you are wanting to know more statistics, let us know and we can get that information for you (a University medical library would most likely have access to back issues of MMWR).
Untreated scarlet fever could lead to complications. Is that why you are asking, or are you trying to fill out some paperwork about your medical history?
Comment Reply
Hi,
Yes, it is possible to have scarlet fever in 1974...and it is still possible to become infected with it today. It used to be a serious childhood infection, but now is easily treatable, and is caused by a bacteria (A Streptococcus); the same bacteria that causes strep throat.
It looks like the CDC's MMWR (Mortality & Morbidity Weekly Report) stopped reporting on this infectious disease in 1973 (from what I can tell on their website); otherwise, I could provide more information on the prevalence. If you are wanting to know more statistics, let us know and we can get that information for you (a University medical library would most likely have access to back issues of MMWR).
Untreated scarlet fever could lead to complications. Is that why you are asking, or are you trying to fill out some paperwork about your medical history?
Let us know what other questions you have!
February 21, 2010 - 8:42pmThis Comment
Reply