Parents are being warned over “unseasonably high” levels of a Victorian illness that attacks children which has broken out in the UK in recent days.
According to health experts, there are some areas experiencing unusual levels of Scarlet fever and parents are being told to be on the lookout for symptoms of the disease. Irish parents should also be on alert.
Scarlet Fever is a bacterial infection that mainly affects children, and causes a telltale red rash.
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At this point, the highest rates of infection are being reported in the Scottish borders with the health board there monitoring the numbers in the community.
In lines with the latest outbreak, advice has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), on how to protect under-5s from Scarlet fever this winter.
Although anyone can catch the bug, children under the age of 10 are most at risk, with those between two and eight years of age usually affected, medics have warned.
UK-wide advice has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), giving guidance to parents about how to protect under-5s from Scarlet fever this winter.
Although anyone can catch the bug, children under the age of 10 are most at risk, with those between two and eight years of age usually affected, medics have warned.
Levels of infection are higher than usual for the time of year, the UKHSA reports.
Scarlet fever was once a very common and dangerous disease, but antibiotic treatment means it is now much less serious.
The health guidance includes a list of symptoms to watch out for: “Early illness may include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.
“Within 48 hours, a characteristic pinkish-red, generalised pinhead rash develops, typically first appearing on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body, giving the skin a sandpaper-like texture.
“On more darkly-pigmented skin, the scarlet rash may be harder to spot, although the ‘sandpaper’ feel should be present. Patients typically have flushed cheeks and pallor around the mouth.
“This may be accompanied by a ‘strawberry tongue’. During convalescence, peeling of the skin may occur at the tips of fingers and toes and less often over wide areas of the trunk and limbs.”
The illness usually clears up after about a week, but if you think you or your child may have it, medics stressed the importance of contacting your GP.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, scarlet fever and the other milder infections caused by GAS bacteria are not notifiable in Ireland meaning that healthcare professionals do not have to report cases to the national surveillance centre.
Because of this, the number of cases in Ireland is not known.
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