Scarlet Fever in the Community

NHS Borders Health Protection team are currently monitoring unseasonably high numbers of scarlet fever in the community.

Parents are asked to be aware of the signs and symptoms so that early treatment with antibiotics can be given.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children under 10 (usually between two and eight years of age) however, people of any age can get the illness.

Initial symptoms usually include a sore throat, headache and a high temperature (38.3C/101F or above), flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue followed by a distinctive pink-red rash a day or two later.

It usually clears up after about a week, but if you think you or your child may have it, please contact your GP for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Due to the contagious nature of scarlet fever, if you or your child has the illness, please stay at home for at least 24 hours after starting treatment with antibiotics.

Further information about scarlet fever can be found on the NHS Inform website.