Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.
"Scarlet fever is highly contagious but not usually serious and is easily treatable with antibiotics. It is important to take antibiotics, if prescribed by a GP, to minimise the risk of complications and spread to others. "To limit the spread of scarlet fever it is important to practice good hygiene by washing hands with warm water and soap, not sharing drinking glasses or utensils, and covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing."
Although generally mild in otherwise healthy children, it can be more severe in pregnant women and immuno-suppressed individuals.Children with chickenpox should remain at home until they are better and the rash has gone.