Health Information for Parents
This is for information – we do not have any confirmed cases in our school or nursery.
Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, it should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.
The symptoms of scarlet fever include:
- the first symptoms of scarlet fever often include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.
- after 12 to 48 hours the characteristic fine red rash develops (if you touch it, it feels like sandpaper). Typically, it first appears on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On more darkly-pigmented skin, the rash may be harder to spot, although the ‘sandpaper’ feel should be present
- fever over 38.3º C (101º F) or higher is common
- white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later, leaving the tongue looking red and swollen (known as ‘strawberry tongue’)
- swollen glands in the neck
- feeling tired and unwell
- flushed red face, but pale around the mouth. The flushed face may appear more ‘sunburnt’ on darker skin
- peeling skin on the fingertips, toes and groin area, as the rash fades.
Lots of these symptoms are similar to general illness and viruses but the ‘rough rash’ and ‘strawberry tongue’ are specific to Scarlet Fever.
If you think you or your child may have scarlet fever, the advice from Public Health states:
- see your GP or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible
- make sure that you/your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
- stay at home for 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.
Complications
Children who have had chickenpox recently are more likely to develop more serious infection during an outbreak of scarlet fever and so parents should remain vigilant for symptoms such as:
- a persistent high fever,
- cellulitis (skin infection)
- arthritis (joint pain and swelling).
If you are concerned for any reason please seek medical assistance immediately.
If your child has an underlying condition which affects their immune system, you should contact your GP or hospital doctor to discuss whether any additional measures are needed.
Please trust your own judgement and if your child seems seriously unwell call 999 or go to A&E if:
- a child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
- there are pauses when a child breathes
- a child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
- a child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.
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Scarlet-Fever-factsheet