Parents warned of the very first symptom of scarlet fever - and it's not a rash

28 September 2023 , 20:55

784     0

The first signs of scarlet fever are flu-like symptoms including a high temperature (Image: Getty Images)

Parents are being warned of the first scarlet fever symptoms to appear even before the famous rash as cases spike in the UK.

Data shows that there was a surge of scarlet fever cases in the second half of 2022 and that has carried on into this year with 28,500 people so far having caught the bacterial illness. There were 16,000 people infected up to September last year and then from there to January there were 37,068 cases. Scarlet fever can be treated easily with antibiotics, but it can develop into a serious illness. The rash itself is not harmful but it is an indicator of Group A Strep disease which can be fatal if ignored.

The NHS states: “Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash. The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as Group A Streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat.” It mostly affects young children, and the NHS says that for parents looking out for the infection, the first signs do not include the rash many associate with scarlet fever.

A rash develops when people have scarlet fever - but it's not the first symptom (Stoke Sentinel)

It states: “The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck). A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper.

"On white skin the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin it might be harder to see a change in colour, but you can still feel the rash and see the raised bumps. A white coating also appears on the tongue. This peels, leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in little bumps (called strawberry tongue)."

Scarlet fever cases eight times higher than last big season - symptoms to know

See a GP when you or your child:

• have scarlet fever symptoms
• do not get better in a week (after seeing a GP)
• have scarlet fever and chickenpox at the same time
• are ill again, weeks after scarlet fever got better – this can be a sign of a complication, such as rheumatic fever
• are feeling unwell and have been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is highly infectious and it is important to take antibiotics. The infection lasts for around one week and you can spread it to other people until 24 hours after you take your first dose of antibiotics. If you do not take antibiotics, you can spread the infection for two to three weeks after your symptoms start.

Tim Hanlon