Derbyshire: Scarlet fever advice after high number of cases

Public health officials from Derbyshire County Council are warning parents to look out for the symptoms of scarlet fever in their children.
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Guardian News

This year there has been a higher number of reports of the illness, which most commonly occurs in children aged between two and eight.

Public health officials have published guidance about how to spot signs of infection and are advising parents to take children with suspected symptoms to their GP, to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for health and communities Coun Dave Allen said: “We want to help prevent anyone catching the disease where it can be avoided and are urging parents with children who display symptoms to seek treatment as soon as possible.”

“That’s why we’ve sent through information to local schools and nurseries to give parents the facts about signs to look out for and what they should do if they think their child has caught it.”

The first symptoms of scarlet fever often include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting. After 12 to 48 hours a fine red rash develops which feels like sandpaper to touch.

The rash usually appears on the chest and stomach before rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On darker skin the rash can be harder to spot, although the skin will still feel like sandpaper.

Parents who think their child has scarlet fever should see their GP as soon as possible, make sure their child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the GP and keep them away from nursery or school for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment if the illness is confirmed.

Parents can also get free advice about scarlet fever from the NHS 111 telephone healthcare service or find more information from Public Health England at www.hpa.org.uk