Please spread the word
Parents are being urged to look out for symptoms of Strep A following a steep rise in cases. At least nine children have died with strep A infection since September, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to issue a rare alert on Friday evening.
. 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 ."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.
Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious. Therefore, parents are being asked to look out for symptoms in children which include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. A spokesperson for the Government added: "On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect 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.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What you need to know about Strep A including symptoms, advice and when to see a doctorAt least nine children across the UK are known to have died from invasive Strep A infection - but what does it cause and what steps can be taken?
Read more »
I lost all four limbs to Strep A that I thought was just 'man flu'‘Don’t be afraid to push to have your child seen.’ Alex Lewis, a Strep A survivor who had to have all four of his limbs amputated, has warned parents to be vigilant as a seventh child in the UK has died from the infection.
Read more »
Seventh child dies from Strep A in UK as parents warned of signs and symptomsSeventh child reported to have died from Strep A as parents warned of signs and symptoms
Read more »
Seventh child 'dies after contracting Strep A infection'Last week a six-year-old died following an outbreak of the same infection at a school in Surrey
Read more »