Scarlet Fever Again

[RJ6]

About 18 days ago my child had typical symptoms of scarlet fever (high fever, sore throat, red strawberry tongue, rash over body). I took her to GP and they prescribed Penicillin 10 day course which she completed. After 1 week of completing, she started developing a sore throat again and a strawberry tongue. I took her to the GP yesterday but they didn't want to give antibiotics as there was no fever.

Today she has woken up with fever and has a rash as well. I've taken her back to the GP and they are confused why the scarlet fever has come back even after a 10 day course of antibiotics. Has anyone seen this before?

We are due to fly out on holiday for halfterm this Friday so I am so stressed out. GP has prescribed Erythromycin (5 day course) but I'm feeling so worried for my little one - she's 4 years old.

Hi OP

We're just moving this over to children's health in hopes of you getting some support from other Mumsnetters.

My dd had scarlet fever twice. Her first round was awful and she was very unwell. She had it again a few months later and it was much milder that time. Took her many months to recover completely from it all though.

Could it be a different strain? Its going round atm, and I believe they can pick up different stains without being immune to it from others

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/group-a-streptococcal-infections-seasonal-activity-in-england-2025-to-2026/group-a-streptococcal-infections-report-on-seasonal-activity-in-england-2025-to-2026

Group A strep that's resistant to penicillin is really really rare. If it were me, I would want the GP to take a swab and also talk to Microbiology at the nearest hospital for advice. I wonder if it's another bug as well as GAS or something that mimics scarlet fever. Other options are glandular fever, even in little ones, slapped cheek or Kawasaki disease, to name three - NICE guidance has quite a long list of possible alternative diagnoses.

Thank you for your responses. I asked GP to take a throat swab today, she said it’ll take a few days for results. My daughter is up and down, sometimes quite warm with a low grade fever, sometimes she’s got energy. Her tongue is red with the strawberry like bumps, throat/tonsils is red and big. I’m so confused why it’s come back after a 10 day course of penicillin but hoping that the erythromycin will get rid of it now.

I guess they just don’t build immunity the first time. Kids can also get chicken pox twice too 🤷🏼‍♀️