Some of you may have heard on the news there has been an increase in cases of Scarlet fever and Group A strep. Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but highly infectious. Therefore, we ask you look out for the following symptoms in your child.

Sore throat
Fever
Chills
Muscle aches
Raised rash which can feel rough to the touch like sandpaper
Swollen tongue

If you feel your child is showing signs of Scarlet fever and group A strep please seek medical attention via your GP or 111. An early diagnosis and treatment of antibiotics is required to reduce the risk of complications. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home for at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

You can consult https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep for additional information or contact your GP for further queries

We have also been asked to share information to parents to help reduce the strain on the Emergency Departments in hospitals which are already feeling the strain with an increased number of worried families taking children in with concerns regarding Strep A. The Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust has asked us to share the following information:

The Children’s Hospital Emergency Department is incredibly busy – those who are not seriously ill will face very long waits to be seen and may need to go elsewhere for help.

Remember, the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department can’t help with dental or eye issues. For an eye emergency, please attend the Midland Eye Centre at Dudley Road open 9am-7pm. NHS 111 can help with finding and accessing an Emergency Dentist

There are things you can try before visiting, such as:

View our ‘virtual consultations’ to hear our doctors’ advice on the most common reasons people come to the Emergency Department.

Visit Healthier Together, a website recommended by our doctors, which has advice and resources for parents and young people.

Visit 111 online (for children aged 5 and over) answer questions about your symptoms on the website and they will tell you what to do next.

Take these simple steps to keep well this winter:

Wash your hands regularly just like you did during the pandemic.  Get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster