Dear Parent/Carer,

Please see below for extracts of information from Public Health Scotland and supporting advice from the school.

 

Increase in group A streptococcal infections (including scarlet fever)

This year we have seen higher than usual numbers of group A streptococcal (GAS) infections in Scotland and persistently high numbers of cases of scarlet fever (a common presentation of this infection) among children.

Information related to this infection including, signs, symptoms and action to consider is shared below;

 

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a common infection in children caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A Streptococcus (GAS). Scarlet fever can cause the following symptoms: headache, sore throat, high temperature and raised pink/purple spots that join up to produce a skin rash, which feels like sandpaper to the touch. The scarlet rash may be harder to spot on darker skin, although the ‘sandpaper’ feel should be present. Although scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, in very rare occasions the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause a more serious invasive illness.

Trusted health advice on scarlet fever can be found on NHS Inform. Children with suspected scarlet fever should be seen by a health professional.

 

Infection control advice

Infections can be spread by respiratory droplets, through direct physical contact and through shared contact with surfaces such as tabletops, taps, toys and handles.

Good hygiene practice such as hand washing remains the most important step in preventing and controlling spread of infection. Continued encouragement for children to wash their hands at the start of the day, after using the toilet, after play, before and after eating etc would be important.

Regular cleaning of shared contact points e.g. door handles, toilet handle and light switches may also help reduce the risk of spreading infection in the home.

Hand washing with liquid soap is recommended – some hand sanitisers may not be as effective concerning some viruses.

Children and adults should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze and then wash their hands with soap and water after using or disposing of tissues.

 

Children with combined symptoms of fever, coughing and sore throat

Children and adults with suspected symptoms above should not attend nursery or school until there is no fever. Any child diagnosed with scarlet fever should not return to school until 24 hours after the commencement of appropriate antibiotic treatment (and providing they no longer have a fever/are feeling unwell).

Other siblings can continue to attend school or nursery unless they too have suspected symptoms.

• Any children attending school exhibiting these combined symptoms (or presenting as ill/distressed) will be sent home and families are advised to refer to the above information/links and seek NHS advice or GP support. 
• If any parent/carer is aware of their child being diagnosed with Scarlet Fever then we would be grateful if you could please update the nursery/school office. This will in turn assist the school with the monitoring and implementation of any additional infection control measures.

Thank you for your continued support.