Clinical management and impact of scarlet fever in the modern era: findings from a cross-sectional study of cases in London, 2018-2019.

Objectives: In response to increasing incidence of scarlet fever and wider outbreaks of group A streptococcal infections in London, we aimed to characterise the epidemiology, symptoms, management and consequences of scarlet fever, and to identify factors associated with delayed diagnosis.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional community-based study of children with scarlet fever notified to London's three Health Protection Teams, 2018-2019.

Participants: From 2575 directly invited notified cases plus invitations via parental networks at 410 schools/nurseries with notified outbreaks of confirmed/probable scarlet fever, we received 477 responses (19% of those directly invited), of which 412 met the case definition.