Feb 4, 2015 By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read

The Bethel Park School District sent a letter to parents of children who attend Benjamin Franklin Elementary School saying that a student has come down with a case of unconfirmed scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that most commonly affects children. It is caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus, the same bacteria that can cause strep throat, the letter said.

There were no available details about the affected child. Benjamin Franklin Elementary, located on Florida Avenue, has 424 students in kindergarten through fourth grades.

The school district said scarlet fever is a rash that sometimes occurs in people who have strep throat. It is most commonly seen in children under the age of 18. The illness can be caught from other people if you come in contact with the sick person because the germ is carried in the mouth and nasal fluids.

Scarlet fever’s most common symptoms include a rash that appears as tiny red bumps on the chest and abdomen, which looks like a sunburn and feels like a piece of rough sandpaper, the letter said. Other symptoms include a flushed face with a pale area around the lips, a sore throat, a fever of 101 degrees or higher and swollen neck glands. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, a headache and body aches.