Urgent warning over ‘very infectious’ illness that mostly affects young children

AN urgent warning has been issued to parents over a “very infectious” illness that mostly affects young children.

The HSE issued an alert for the highly contagious disease scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever is caused by a bacterial infection.

It usually begins with a sore throat and high fever, but symptoms usually worsen as the day goes on.

A red rash that feels like sandpaper often appears, usually starting on the chest and spreading to other parts of the body.

The tongue can also become bumpy and red, and in cases of the illness with children it is often called “strawberry tongue.”

Red lines might also appear in body folds, like the armpits or groin and the skin might peel as the rash begins to fade.

The HSE took to X to issue the warning as cases have climbed over the last few months.

They said: “The first signs of a scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature over 38 degrees, sore throat, chills and swollen neck glands.

“A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps. It starts on the chest and tummy then spreads.”

Scarlet fever spreads through tiny droplets in the air when an infected person coughs and sneezes, or through touching surfaces that have bacteria on them.

The bacteria, streptococcus pyogenes also causes strep throat, but is usually more severe in children.

Doctors can diagnose scarlet fever by doing a throat swab to check for the bacteria.

Treatment involves taking antibiotics, and symptoms usually fade within a week.

If your child has any of these symptoms, get it checked with your GP to see if they have the illness.

SEPSIS ALERT

This comes after the HSE issued a stark warning to parents over a life-threatening illness that can silently hide behind other infection.

Sepsis is on the rise across Ireland, and the illness can be fatal if symptoms go unnoticed.

The HSE said on X: “Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of an infection. If your child has had an infection and is very unwell, ask ‘could it be sepsis?”

Although there isn’t any data available for the illness last year, 3,219 people lost their lives to sepsis in 2022.

If the illness is identified early on, a full recovery usually happens but if its not picked up sepsis could lead to multiple organ failure and death.

Sepsis is dificult to tell when you have it but the HSE urges the public to trust ‘your instincts.’

The HSE said: “If you or someone you look after has symptoms of sepsis or is very unwell, call 999 or 112, or go to the emergency department.”