scarlatina

9.9

An infection, usually in children, that causes fever and a red rash

noun
/ˌskɑːr.ləˈtiː.nə/

Archaic

: escarlatina

The doctor diagnosed the child with scarlatina after observing the rash and high fever.

Examples

In the nineteenth century, scarlatina was a common and sometimes deadly childhood illness.
Her parents were relieved when the symptoms of scarlatina began to improve with treatment.
The doctor diagnosed her with scarlatina.
Children often catch scarlatina in the winter.
The doctor diagnosed the child with scarlatina after observing the rash and high fever.
In the nineteenth century, scarlatina was a common and sometimes deadly childhood illness.
Her parents were relieved when the symptoms of scarlatina began to improve with treatment.

Synonyms

scarlet fever

vsscarlatina

6 3.6

A contagious childhood disease that causes fever, sore throat, and a red rash

is the alternative medical name used for the same condition

Surface Forms

scarlatina singular

scarlatinas plural

Morphology

scarlatina = scarlet (semi-transparent) = scarlet + ina

The word clearly links to the colour 'scarlet' (the rash), but the suffix '-ina' is a borrowed, non-productive disease-forming ending in English, so the precise disease name is not fully predictable for learners.

Etymology

Scarlatina comes from the word scarlet and the Italian ending -ina, where scarlet means 'bright red' and -ina means 'little'. So the name points to the bright red rash of the illness, which is why scarlatina is another name for scarlet fever.