Scarlet Fever & Strep A
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious.
Therefore, look out for symptoms in your child, which include; a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection.
If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Click following link to find out more: UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Streptococcus A (strep A)
Group A Streptococcus (GAS), also known as Strep A, are bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the throat. Under some circumstances these bacteria can cause disease.
GAS infection commonly presents as a mild sore throat (‘strep throat’) and skin/soft tissue infections such as impetigo and cellulitis.
Cases of invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) are rare. Some current cases are presenting with sepsis-like symptoms.
Be aware of important sepsis symptoms:
- blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on darker skin, check for blueness on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes
- rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it
- difficulty breathing
- weak, high-pitched cry – not like their normal cry
- not responding like normal, not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake.
Click following link to find out more: Streptococcus A (Strep A) | NHS inform