Here’s what you need to know about Group A Strep (GAS)

GAS is a common bacteria which causes a range of infections including scarlet fever. These infections are usually mild. Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS). It can also cause a rare, more serious infection called Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS). This occurs when GAS bacteria gets into parts of the where is causes serious disease, like the lungs or bloodstream.

Parents know their children best and should trust their judgement when they are poorly. Speak to your GP or call 111 if your child is poorly and getting worse. Always call 999 or go to A&E if your child: is having difficulty breathing – such as grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs, there are pauses when your child breathes, child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue, is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

Cases of Invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) are rare. Some current cases are presenting with sepsis-like symptoms. Be aware of important sepsis symptoms: blue, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on darker skin, check for blueness on the lips, tongue or gums, under the nails or around the eyes, rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it, difficulty breathing, weak, high-pitched cry – not like their normal cry, not responding like normal, not interested in feeding or normal activities, being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake.

Get an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• your child is unwell and is getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has fewer wet nappies than usual or is peeing less than usual, or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
• your child is very tired or irritable

It’s important to trust your instincts if your child is unwell. Get medical help if you think you need it.

Check symptoms on 111 online (for children aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5).

Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – they may make grunting noises, or you may notice their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue or grey – on black or brown skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Here’s what you need to know about Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects young children. It’s easily treated with antibiotics.

The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).

A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper.

On white skin the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin it might be harder to see a change in colour, but you can still feel the rash and see the raised bumps.

A white coating also appears on the tongue. This peels, leaving the tongue red, swollen and covered in little bumps (called “strawberry tongue”).

The rash does not appear on the face, but the cheeks can look red. The redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin.

The symptoms are the same for children and adults, although scarlet fever is less common in adults.

See a GP if you or your child:

• have scarlet fever symptoms
• do not get better in a week (after seeing a GP)
• have scarlet fever and chickenpox at the same time
• are ill again, weeks after scarlet fever got better – this can be a sign of a complication, such as rheumatic fever
• are feeling unwell and have been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is very easily spread. Check with a GP before you go in. They may suggest a phone consultation.