title: Scarlet fever can mimic toxic shock syndrome.
abstract: We describe a patient who presented with a widespread erythematous rash, diarrhoea, confusion, pre-renal uraemia and hyponatraemia. The diagnosis of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome seemed likely as she was menstruating and there was no evidence of pharyngitis. A rising ASO titre confirmed a streptococcal aetiology and thus 'toxic' scarlet fever. Toxic shock syndrome and toxic scarlet fever are compared.
authors.affiliation: Royal Free Hospital Department of Infectious Diseases, London, UK.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Brook
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bannister
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012541:Scarlet Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis*