NHS warn of scarlet fever increase after outbreak in East Ayrshire school
NHS are warning of scarlet fever symptoms after a small outbreak at annanhill primary school, Kilmarnock.
Parents in East Ayrshire are being asked to stay vigilant amid a recent outbreak of scarlet fever in a primary school.
Health experts in the NHS say there has been an increase in the number of cases across the full country and are hoping parents and guardians can help stop the spread of the infection.
The public health department at NHS Ayrshire & Arran were recently notified of a small outbreak within Annanhill Primary School in Kilmarnock and have written to parents and carers with information on what to do if they have symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Public Health Consultant at NHSAAA, Brian O’ Suilleabhain is telling West FM about the symptoms of the infection.
He said: “The symptoms include a sore throat, headaches, fever, nausiea and vomiting. This is usually followed by a fine red rash which usually appears on the chest or the stomach and then spreads to other parts of the body.
“On more darkly pigmented skin, the scarlet rash can be harder to spot, but it will feel like sandpaper so can still be detected. Also, the child’s face can be flushed red and pale around the mouth.
“Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as a persistent high fever, cellulitis which is a skin infection and arthritis which will seem like joint pain and swelling. These are the severe symptoms of infection.”
What should you do if you think your child has scarlet fever?
If you think you, or your child, have scarlet fever:
• See your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible out of hours for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
• Make sure that you or your child take the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
• Stay at home, away from nursery, school, or work for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.