Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Follow-up care for patients recovering from scarlet fever to prevent complications includes:
- Advise patients or their carers to seek medical follow-up if symptoms worsen or have not improved after 7 days of antibiotic treatment to consider alternative diagnoses or complications.
- Educate patients and carers about the possible complications of scarlet fever in the first few weeks after infection and instruct them to seek immediate medical advice if complications are suspected.
- Maintain a low threshold for prompt referral to secondary care for children with persistent or worsening symptoms.
- Encourage adequate hydration, symptom relief with paracetamol or ibuprofen if appropriate, and good skin care to prevent secondary infections.
- Advise on infection control measures to reduce cross-infection risk, including exclusion from school or work for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotics and good hand hygiene.
- Inform patients that household contacts have a low but increased risk of invasive Group A streptococcal infection and should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms.
- Routine testing of asymptomatic contacts is not recommended, but local health protection teams may advise on antibiotic prophylaxis in specific high-risk situations.
These measures help ensure early detection and management of complications, reducing morbidity associated with scarlet fever.
References: NICE CKS