article_snippet: scarlet fever is a highly contagious bacterial illness that causes a distinctive pink-red rash which feels like sandpaper to touch.
article_snippet: Dr Theresa Lamagni, PHE’s head of streptococcal infection surveillance said: 'As we enter into high season for scarlet fever, we ask GPs and other frontline medical staff to be mindful of the current high levels of scarlet fever activity when assessing patients.
article_snippet: ‘Prompt notification of cases to local health protection teams is critical to enable local monitoring and rapid response to outbreaks.
article_snippet: Schools and nurseries should similarly be mindful of the current elevated levels of scarlet fever and promptly inform local health protection teams at an early stage if local health protection teams become aware of cases, especially if more than one child is affected.
article_snippet: The first symptoms of scarlet fever include a sore throat and fever which may be accompanied by a headache, nausea and vomiting.
article_snippet: Cases are more common in children although adults of all ages can also develop scarlet fever.
article_snippet: Individuals who think they or they child may have scarlet fever should consult Individuals who think they or their child may have scarlet fever GP, said Dr Lamagni.
article_snippet: As scarlet fever is highly contagious, children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid passing on the infection.