What is a common symptom that appears prior to the rash in scarlet fever?

In scarlet fever, fever is indeed a common symptom that typically appears prior to the onset of the rash. This infectious disease, caused by Group A Streptococcus, presents with an acute fever, which can be one of the first indicators of the illness. The fever is often accompanied by other symptoms such as sore throat and redness in the throat, which can precede the characteristic strawberry tongue and the subsequent rash that develops over the body. Recognizing the fever early is important as it helps in the timely diagnosis and management of scarlet fever, allowing for the appropriate use of antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent complications.