Parents are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of scarlet fever after a rise in cases this winter. It comes as a fourth child has died in the UK after contracting Strep A, including a little girl in Penarth who died within hours of falling ill according to her heartbroken family.
The distinction between Strep A and scarlet fever is fairly simple. Highly contagious bacteria called group A streptococcus (Strep A, sometimes known as iGAS) can cause scarlet fever, as well as a range of other illnesses. Scarlet fever, sometimes known as scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by these bacteria. Symptoms are often mild, including a rash and a red face, but can become dangerous if left untreated.
READ MORE: Parents of little girl who died from Strep A infection issue beautiful tribute
