A 15-year-old student from Iași was hospitalized, suspected of having scarlet fever after developing a fever and a skin rash

A 15-year-old student from the Economic College in Iași was brought on Friday to the “St. Parascheva” Infectious Diseases Hospital, suspected of having scarlet fever. The boy arrived at triage accompanied by his father after experiencing a fever for approximately 48 hours, pain and difficulty swallowing, and developing a red, itchy rash on his torso over the previous 12 hours.

Medical investigations will confirm or rule out the diagnosis. The hospital’s manager, Dr. Florin Roșu, said that scarlet fever is a contagious infectious disease caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, which mainly affects children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 15.

The bacterium is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected secretions, or contaminated objects. In schools, crowds and close interaction can facilitate outbreaks.

In Iași County, 275 cases were reported in 2023, 314 in 2024, and 105 in 2025. The disease has a higher incidence during the cold season and at the beginning of the school year.