As Scarlet fever cases soar what is it and how can you treat it?
Cases of Scarlet fever, which causes red rashes, headache, swollen neck glands, sore throat, and other symptoms, have hit a 24-year high.
16:47 12 March 2014
Incidents of scarlet fever have soared to their highest level in England since 1990. February alone saw an unexpected boost in contractions of the fever with 868 cases reported to health officials in the four weeks to 23 February.
Public Health England's head of streptococcal infection surveillance, Dr Theresa Lamagni, was quoted by The Guardian: "The first symptoms of scarlet fever often include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
"Between 12 to 48 hours after this a characteristic rash develops. Cases are more common in children although adults can also develop scarlet fever. Symptoms usually clear up after a week and in the majority of cases remain reasonably mild providing a course of antibiotics is completed to reduce the risk of complications.
"Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection.
"We will continue to closely monitor these increases and work with healthcare professionals to try and halt the spread of infection."
Scarlet fever, which is an illness caused by a bacteria called streptococcus, tends to affect children aged 3-15, with the most common age being four years old.
This illness, which is spread through mucus and saliva, causes a red rash. Although it is not as dangerous as meningitis, the fever lasts a few days while the rash typically lasts about 6 days.
Doctors typically diagnose patients from symptoms however, in some cases, a swab is taken from the throat and sent to be test for streptococcus. Patients are advised to take antibiotics and they are to stay at home at least 24 hours. This means no school or nursery for young children.
Scarlet fever is relatively mild and once you had it, you’ll build up immunity to it.