The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an alert on Strep A cases, after cases of the infection rose drastically in the last few weeks.
Health officials at Public Health Scotland have stated that there are more than 430 cases of the condition in the country right now. The UKHSA revealed that the rise in cases may be due to the high amounts of bacteria in the air, and increased social gatherings.
Strep A, also known as Scarlet fever, is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious. 851 cases have been reported UK-wide, according to the Government, with Scotland making up approximately half of these infections.
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While this condition is mild, it can also become serious in rare cases. Six children have died from an invasive form of the infection in England since September.
No deaths have been confirmed in Scotland at the moment.
So, what should people be looking out for in themselves and children, when it comes to the symptoms of Strep A? Here are signs to look out for.
What are the symptoms of Strep A?
The most common symptoms of Strep A, or Scarlet fever, are as follows:
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fever
- 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.
How does Strep A develop into a serious illness?
In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive Group A strep (iGAS). While still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive Group A strep cases this year, particularly in children under ten.
There were 2.3 cases per 100,000 children aged one to four compared to an average of 0.5 in the pre-pandemic seasons (2017 to 2019) and 1.1 cases per 100,000 children aged five to nine compared to the pre-pandemic average of 0.3 (2017 to 2019) at the same time of the year.
What should I do if I, or my child has Strep A?
Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or 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.
As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
- your child is getting worse
- your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
- your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
- your baby is under three months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than three months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
- your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
- your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when your child breathes
- your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said: "We are seeing a higher number of cases of Group A strep this year than usual. The bacteria usually causes a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics.
"In very rare circumstances, this bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive Group A strep (iGAS). This is still uncommon; however, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor as quickly as possible so that their child can be treated and we can stop the infection becoming serious.
"Make sure you talk to a health professional if your child is showing signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection."
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