Parents get NHS Highland's advice on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections – including scarlet fever

NHS Highland has issued advice to parents regarding Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections – including scarlet fever.

The organisation has issued its guidance about the disease in a letter sent out to residents.

In her letter Dr Jenny Wares, the consultant in public health medicine (health protection), says recent reports in the media have highlighted higher than usual numbers of GAS infections in Scotland and persistently high numbers of cases of scarlet fever.

She said: “We are keen to try to further raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of this infection and the actions to take if you suspect your child has Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection.”

It is a common infection in children and can cause these symptoms:

• Headache;

• Sore throat;

• High temperature;

• Swollen tongue;

• Distinctive pink-red rash which feels like sandpaper to the touch;

• Swollen neck glands;

• Loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting.

Dr Wares said: “Streptococci survive in throats and on hands for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing, coughing and skin contact.

“People may carry group A streptococci in the throat or on the skin and have no symptoms of illness. This is sometimes known as being colonized.”

• For more information visit NHS Inform website.

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