Scarlet fever advice issued – Bailiwick cases “stable”

Tuesday 06 December 2022

Strep A cases are on the rise nationally and Bailiwick parents and doctors are being urged to be alert to the symptoms of infection.

The UK Health Security Agency note that cases are higher than usual for this time of year. Several young children have died in the UK due to severe infections of invasive Group A strep (iGAS), which occurs when the bacteria enters the bloodstream.

But the outbreak is currently not perceived to be any different from a typical high season of infections.

Scarlet fever is also caused by Strep A, which also causes other respiratory and skin infections such as strep throat. Symptoms are usually mild, but it is a highly infectious disease. 

However, cases in the Bailiwick are said to be stable “with no significant increase so far this year”. No cases of iGAS have been found in individuals aged 18 and under to date, according to the Committee for Health & Social Care.

Alex Hawkins-Drew, Associate Director of Public Health Guernsey, says it’s “important that parents and carers are aware of the signs and symptoms of iGAS and where to obtain help. 

“As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.”

Pictured: Starting antibiotics early can help prevent more serious complications. 

What are the symptoms? 

• A sore throat 
• Headache 
• Fever (of 38C or more) 
• A fine, pinkish, or red body rash with a sandpapery feel 
• A red face, but pale around the mouth and a white or red tongue 
• Muscle aches

What should I do?

Contact 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. 

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. 

Also contact your surgery if they:

• Are getting worse
• Are eating much less than usual
• Have a temperature of 39C or higher, or 38C if under three months
• Are hotter than usual or sweaty
• Are very tired and irritable

Call 999 or go to the Emergency Department if they:

• are having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs 
• pause when they breathes 
• have blue skin, tongue or lips
• are floppy and will not wake up or stay awake 
• have a non-blanching rash (doesn’t go with the glass test) 

Pictured: Take your child to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital if experiencing some of the more extreme symptoms. 

Mr Hawkins-Drew added: “There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell. 

“I understand that parents must be very anxious but Strep A is something that we have all dealt with and I want to reassure parents that GPs, Emergency Department, and the paediatric department will be extra vigilant."