What is scarlet fever and what are the symptoms?
SCARLET Fever is a bacterial bug that causes a distinctive red rash and mainly affects children.
Health experts have warned parents to learn the signs of the highly contagious illness, following news recently that cases have soared to the highest level since the 1960s. Here's what you need to know...
Parents are on high alert as the number of cases has soared across the country.
In the week leading up to April 1 there has been 1,624 recorded cases.
And over the past three months cases of the disease have skyrocketed, with reports of scarlet fever 2.3 times higher than during the same 13-week period in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Between January and March this year there have been 15,500 cases of scarlet fever recorded in England, double last year’s figure and the highest since 1982, according to Public Health England (PHE).
Nick Phin, deputy director of National Infection Service at PHE, said: “While it is not uncommon to see a rise in cases of scarlet fever at this time of year, the numbers we have seen this year have not been seen since 1982 when PHE took over responsibility for collecting data on notifiable diseases.”
And during the winter months there were 11,981 cases recorded, compared to 4,480 in the same five-month stretch 12 months earlier.
It is feared scarlet fever may reach epidemic proportions, with the highest level of cases reported since the 1960s.
Dr Theresa Lamagni, from Public Health England, said: "While current rates are nowhere near those seen in the early 1900s, the magnitude of the recent upsurge is greater than any documented in the last century."
The bacterial infection, which causes a distinctive pink rash, is more common in children with 89 per cent of the recent cases occurring in kids aged 10 and under.
What is scarlet fever?
The contagious illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, which can manifest on the skin and throat.
It commonly affects children aged between five and 15 and often results in a fever and a large red rash on the body.
From September to the end of January 2017, there were 369 cases in the West Midlands, compared to 309 for the same period last year.
Meanwhile in London cases are up from 336 to 386 and in the North West, 546 compared to 500, over the same period.
How is scarlet fever spread?
The bug is so contagious that it's easily spread if there is an outbreak.
You can contract scarlet fever by breathing in bacteria from airborne droplets, touching the skin of an infected person or sharing contaminated towels, baths, clothes or bed linen.
It's possible to catch it from those who are carrying the bug, but aren’t necessarily affected themselves.
What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?
Early warning signs of the bacterial bug include a sore throat or skin infection, including blisters or impetigo.
Those suffering with scarlet fever may also experience a headache, high temperatures, flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue.
A day or two after these initial symptoms, the most noticeable sign of the illness will form.
Scarlet fever causes a large pink or red rash on the skin, which is often itchy and feels like sandpaper.
As well as this, outlines other symptoms to look out for…
- swollen neck glands
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- red lines in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, which may last a couple of days after the rash has gone
- a white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later leaving the tongue red and swollen (this is known as strawberry tongue)
- a general feeling of being unwell
What to do if you or your child has scarlet fever and can it be treated?
In the past, cases of scarlet fever could be extremely serious.
Thankfully, modern day instances are often mild and can easily be treated with antibiotics.
Parents are advised to book an appointment for their children at their local GP if they notice symptoms of the bacterial bug.
More health reads for parents
If diagnosed, sufferers will be prescribed a course of liquid antibiotics, which are to be taken for ten days.
Symptoms often clear up within two weeks, but there can be complications of scarlet fever.
There is a small risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body, causing ear infection, sinusitis or pneumonia.
It’s advisable to return to your GP as soon as possible if you're affected by headache, vomiting or diarrhoea after the initial scarlet fever symptoms have cleared up.