UPDATED: A rising number of cases of Scarlet Fever have been diagnosed by Island GPs in the past two weeks, as the now-controlled disease spreads through schools across the Island.
Two cases of pupils having the once-fatal disease have been confirmed at Dover Park Primary School in Ryde, which is now said to have spread to parents of children at the school. One Island Echo reader has said that her daughter contracted the disease a week ago and that now her and her other child are being treated with antibiotics. Another parent has been diagnosed with the disease, but thankfully his child does not appear to be suffering.
Nearby Greenmount Primary School have sent letters home to parents warning of at least one confirmed case in the school, whilst St Francis in Ventnor have done the same. Meanwhile, two cases have also been confirmed at Ventnor Nursery, as well as schools in Sandown, Newport and Totland. West Wight Nursery in Totland have however confirmed they have no reported cases of Scarlet Fever.
Infected children are being kept at home in a bid to stop the spread.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that causes a distinctive pink-red rash. It is uncommon in the UK nowadays and is usually mild. Before the availability of antibiotics, scarlet fever was a major cause of death but is now controlled thanks to medical advances.
Doctors have said that cases are soaring and ‘spreading around like wildfire’ and parents are urged to look out for early signs of the disease.
The characteristic symptom of scarlet fever is a widespread, fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch and it may start in one area, but soon spreads to many parts of the body, such as the ears, neck and chest. The rash can be itchy.
Other symptoms include:
- swollen neck glands
- A high temperature
- A flushed face
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- red lines in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, which may last a couple of days after the rash has gone
- a white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later leaving the tongue red and swollen (this is known as strawberry tongue)
- a general feeling of being unwell
Anyone who suspect they or they child has Scarlet Fever is advised to see a GP as soon as possible.
