Parents warned as Scarlet fever is on the rise in the UK

Make sure you know the signs and symptoms incase your child catches it…

A huge 37 cases of scarlet fever were reported in the South West last week, according to Public Health England.

Parents are being urged to keep lookout for symptoms after the new cases of scarlet fever were recorded.

There are often a peak in scarlet fever in March and April, as it is extremely contagious.

Although scarlet fever is now a much less serious infection than it used to be, complications can still arise, particularly in those who are not treated promptly.

• Symptoms of Scarlet Fever generally take between two to five days to appear after infection
• The illness usually starts with symptoms such as a sore throat, headache and a high temperature with a rash developing 12 to 48 hours later.
• Other symptoms include a high temperature, a flushed face and a red, swollen tongue 

   

• Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that causes a distinctive pink-red rash.

   

• Scarlet fever remains a concern for doctors after a sharp rise across the country during 2015.

   

• There have been 37 cases of scarlet fever in the South West..

Public Health England’s advice to parents and carers on how to protect against scarlet fever:

• Make sure children wash their hands regularly
• Not allow children to share cutlery with an infected person
• Make sure children avoid people with the infection
• Wash or dispose of tissues or handkerchiefs used by an infected person
• Be aware that you can catch scarlet fever by inhaling airborne droplets if someone with the illness coughs or sneezes in the air near you.

Credit to exeter express for the story.