Headteacher Update

December 2022

Just one item this week, Strep A and Scarlet Fever has very much been in the news recently with a number of deaths reported. Complications leading to serious illness are exceptionally rare, nevertheless due to the current national  increase in Scarlet Fever cases, I thought it was sensible to pass on some advice from local public health:

Information for Parents on Group A Streptococcal Infections

Please be assured that severe group A streptococcal infections are exceptionally rare.  This information is intended to give some background advice which you may find helpful.

Mild Group A Streptococcal infections

Infections caused by Group A streptococcal infections are very common and are usually mild. These include mild skin infections and sore throats, including tonsillitis. These often require no treatment; antibiotics are not necessarily required. There is generally no need for any exclusion from school in connection with, for example, a sore throat, even if this is suspected or confirmed to have been caused by Group A strep, if the child feels well enough to attend school.

Scarlet fever 

Scarlet fever is another infection caused by Group A Streptococci. This is also typically a mild illness, though it usually needs to be treated with a course of antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others.  Scarlet fever is characterised by a fine red rash which typically appears first on the chest and stomach, rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. The skin can feel a bit like sandpaper, and the face can be flushed red while remaining pale around the mouth. The rash often appears after or along with symptoms such as a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.

If parents suspect that a child has scarlet fever, they should be encouraged to seek prompt medical attention from NHS 111, a nurse or a doctor, so that the appropriate antibiotics can be prescribed if required.  Any child that develops scarlet fever should stay off school until 24 hours after their first dose of antibiotics.

Severe Group A streptococcal infections 

Severe Group A streptococcal infections (also known as ‘invasive Group A strep infections’ or ‘iGAS’) are very rare, and especially so in otherwise healthy school-aged children. Severe infections are usually diagnosed following hospital admission. Current national advice for parents concerned if their child seems seriously unwell is to: Contact NHS 111 or their GP if:

  • the child is getting worse
  • the child is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • the child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
  • the baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
  • the  baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
  • the child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

  • the child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
  • there are pauses when your child breathes
  • the child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
  • the child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

Preventing infection

Handwashing is a highly effective way of preventing many infections from spreading. Adults and children should frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap, particularly after using the toilet, after using a tissue to catch a cough or sneeze, and before eating. Hand sanitiser gels are not a suitable substitute for handwashing after using the toilet as they are not effective against some germs which cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Best wishes

Jonathan