A mother whose two children both have Strep A has urged other mothers to be on the watch for the symptoms of the bacterial infection. Aimee Byron reported that her three-year-old son Jamie Jones became tired and began wailing in pain, holding his head and claiming to have “tickles in his throat.”
Looking Out for Symptoms
Due to a recent uptick in Strep A infections, health officials are warning parents to be on the lookout for Scarlet Fever signs in their children.
The latest information from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that the incidence of scarlet fever is still higher than usual for this time of year. In week 46, 851 cases were reported, which is much higher than the annual average of 186 occurrences reported by the agency, Independent reported.
The bacteria Group A Streptococcus is to blame for this disease. Strep throat and impetigo are just two of the many respiratory and skin illnesses caused by this same group of bacteria.
Isolated cases of invasive Group A Strep disease can occur when bacteria enter the circulation. There has been an uptick in the number of cases of invasive Strep A this year, most of them occurring in children younger than 10.
In addition to a sandpapery rash that may seem pink or red on your child’s body, a sore throat, headache, and fever are all warning signs, according to health experts.
The rash may be less noticeable on darker skin, but it will still feel rough. If you suspect your child has scarlet fever, the UKHSA recommends getting in touch with NHS 111 or your primary care physician as soon as possible so that antibiotics can be started, as per the report.
Also, protect others from contracting scarlet fever by keeping your sick child at home for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
Death of 5-Year-Old Girl Links to Strep A
In Belfast, a 5-year-old girl has passed away from an illness that was connected to the bacterial infection strep A.
Stella-Lily McCorkindale had been admitted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children after falling very unwell the previous week. Despite receiving treatment there, she passed away on Monday.
On Friday, a letter was delivered to the parents of the P1 to P3 students at the school that had been sent by the Public Health Agency (PHA), according to BBC.
It was recommended that parents bring their children to a clinic so that they could be examined by a physician and obtain a preventive round of antibiotics.
It also revealed that seven children in England and one in Wales have died since September from complications related to strep A bacterial infections.
As reported by RTÉ, health officials in the Republic of Ireland are looking into whether or not the death of a 4-year-old was caused by strep A.
Related Article: California Shows Scary Rise in COVID Hospitalization
