Government warning over ‘highly contagious’ infection – symptoms and what to do

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that it could become ‘serious if left untreated’ – signs and symptoms to learn

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning about a highly infectious condition that could turn severe if not promptly treated. The agency posted the alert on X, stating: “Scarlet fever mostly affects young children. While it’s usually a mild illness, it can become serious if left untreated.”

The government body further cautioned: “If you or your child have symptoms, contact your GP practice online or over the phone first, as it is highly contagious.” Thankfully, scarlet fever is treatable with antibiotics, but seeking medical advice before starting treatment is crucial.

The NHS describes the initial symptoms of scarlet fever as similar to those of the flu, including a high fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands that may be felt as a lump. Typically, a rash emerges between 12 to 48 hours after these initial symptoms, starting as tiny raised bumps on the chest and abdomen before spreading.

The rash feels like sandpaper and turns the skin pink or red on lighter complexions, reports Surrey Live. For individuals with darker skin tones, the rash might not visibly alter the skin colour, but the texture change and raised bumps are still noticeable.

Additionally, the tongue may develop a white coating which peels off to reveal a red, bumpy “strawberry tongue.” Although the rash doesn’t affect the face, the cheeks might look flushed, which could be less evident on darker skin.

The skin may start to peel as the rash subsides, much like a sunburn. The symptoms are the same for both children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults.

Scarlet fever typically lasts around a week. You can pass on the infection to others until 24 hours after starting your first course of antibiotics.

Without antibiotics, you can spread the infection for two to three weeks from when symptoms first show up. If you or your child has scarlet fever, it’s advisable to stay away from nursery, school, or work for 24 hours after taking the first dose of antibiotics.

What triggers scarlet fever, and how does it spread?

Scarlet fever is caused by a specific strain of Streptococcus pyogenes, which produces a toxin known as streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins. Often referred to as group A strep, this is the same bacterium that causes strep throat.

The bacteria can be passed on through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes and by touching surfaces that have been contaminated. Speak to a GP If you or your child:

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

Scarlet fever is highly infectious. It’s wise to speak to a GP before seeing them in person. They might suggest a phone consultation instead. GPs can usually diagnose scarlet fever by looking at your tongue and rash. Sometimes, they might use a cotton swab to take a sample from the back of your throat to test for bacteria and may also request a blood test.

How to treat scarlet fever:

If you’re diagnosed with scarlet fever, a GP will prescribe antibiotics. These will:

• help you get better quicker
• reduce the chance of a serious illness, such as pneumonia
• make it less likely that you’ll pass the infection on to someone else

Continue taking the antibiotics until the course is complete, even if your symptoms improve. If you’re dealing with scarlet fever, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort yourself.

While undergoing treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional, you can soothe the symptoms of scarlet fever by drinking cool beverages and eating soft foods if you have a sore throat. To reduce fever, painkillers like paracetamol can be effective (just be mindful not to give aspirin to children under 16). For itchiness, calamine lotion or antihistamine tablets may offer some relief.

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Although scarlet fever can be serious, the availability of antibiotics has made it rarer and more treatable. Nonetheless, there’s been an uptick in cases in recent times. It’s rare for complications to arise from scarlet fever, but they can happen during the illness or weeks afterwards. Potential complications include:

• ear infection
• throat abscess
• sinusitis
• pneumonia
• meningitis
• rheumatic fever

How do I prevent spreading scarlet fever?

According to the NHS: “Scarlet fever is very infectious and can easily spread to other people”. To minimise the risk of transmission, you should:

• Stay away from nursery, school, or work for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotics.
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water.
• Catch coughs or sneezes with tissues.
• Dispose of used tissues promptly.
• Avoid sharing eating utensils, cups, towels, clothing, bedding, or baths with others.

Pregnancy advice

The NHS says: “There’s no evidence to suggest that getting scarlet fever during pregnancy will harm your baby. But it can make you feel unwell, so it’s best to avoid close contact with anyone who has it. Contact a GP if you get symptoms. Many of the antibiotics used for scarlet fever can be taken during pregnancy.”