Cases of Strep A infection are on the rise in the UK, and while most are mild and manageable, a small percentage have been quite serious – as most recently in Northern Ireland, where we saw the devastating loss of five-year-old Stella-Lily McCorkindale from complications with the infection.

Irish pharmacist Sheena Mitchell, who operates the family medical resource Wonderbaba.ie, says parents should be aware of the signs of the infection and should be ready to act quickly – not because their child is likely to fall seriously ill, but because the illness is so easily spread to others.

Sheena has published a useful guide for parents on Wonderbaba.ie entitled A Wonderbaba Guide to Invasive Group A Streptococci (iGAS) & its relationship to Scarlet Fever.

"We have already seen how various strains of COVID-19 spread here in Ireland following their arrival on UK shores, so it is logical to assume that the high levels of Scarlet Fever in the UK are now being replicated here," Sheena says.

"However, because it is not a notifiable disease here in Ireland, we have no way of confirming this hypothesis.

“It is possible to conclude that, due to the inherent link between both the GAS and iGAS conditions borne through Strep A bacterial infection, it is highly likely that if incidences of one rises, so will the other," she adds.

"As both a medical professional and a mother of young children, I urge parents to be vigilant for the symptoms of both scarlet fever and iGAS. Prompt action will result in early medical intervention with readily available antibiotics which will reduce the risk of further complications.”

Symptoms of iGAS

  • A high fever.
  • Severe muscle aches.
  • Redness or blisters at the site of a wound.
  • Localised muscle tenderness in one area.
  • Low blood pressure and dizziness.
  • Confusion.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Stomach pain.

    • Symptoms of scarlet fever

    A child can start to show symptoms of scarlet fever within one to seven days of exposure:

  • High temperature.
  • Sore throat.
  • Headache.
  • A swollen tongue which can appear red and tender or thick with a white coating.
  • Nausea or loss of appetite.
  • Swollen neck glands.
  • A rash usually appears after two to three days of infection. The rash will start with red blotches and develop into a pink-red rash which feels like sandpaper. It normally starts on the torso and spreads to other areas like the legs, arms, and groin, lasting about a week.

    • *A flushed face is often a distinguishing feature of scarlet fever.

    When contagious illnesses like Strep A are on the rise, communication between parents, GPs, schools and the wider community is important to help stop its spread. According to Sheena, if treated promptly, children will recover more quickly and will be less contagious as well.

    "If you suspect your child may have scarlet fever, you need to bring them to see your GP," she says.

    "Getting an antibiotic like penicillin will not only speed up your child’s recovery, but it will also reduce the length of time that they remain contagious. In fact, your child will be able to return to childcare after 24 hours of taking antibiotics, depending on how they are feeling. Without an

    antibiotic, they will remain highly contagious for one to two weeks after they first develop

    symptoms."

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