• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Friday, June 20, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

    New vicar appointed for churches

    New vicar appointed for churches

    Award for Eden writer

    Award for Eden writer

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    Man arrested after fleeing from police in Penrith

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    £37.7 million to tackle potholes and upgrade roads

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

    Over £38,000-worth of fake goods seized at Appleby Horse Fair

  • Sport
    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Eden man competes in Hyrox World Games

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Double national triumph for Stuart Robinson

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Patterdale’s Eden Eagles make history

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Parents told not to panic over spike in scarlet fever cases

by CWH
12 December 2022
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Cumbria’s health chief has repeated his calls for parents not to panic over a spike in scarlet fever cases.

However, the county’s director of public health, Colin Cox, is asking worried parents to remain vigilant.

High rates of scarlet fever continue to be seen both locally and nationally – higher than would be expected for this time of year.

but understandably, many people remain unsure about what scarlet fever is, and how it is linked to Group A Streptococcus.

Scarlet fever is an infection caused by Group A Strep. Group A Strep is common and is carried naturally by many of us in our throats and our skin – but doesn’t always result in illness. However, it can cause several mild infections such as tonsilitis, scarlet fever, and impetigo.

On rare occasions, Group A Strep can cause more serious infections. The most serious infections linked to Group A Strep come from invasive Group A Strep. These infections are caused by bacteria getting into parts of the body where it isn’t normally found, such as the lungs or bloodstream.

Signs and symptoms of scarlet fever

The early symptoms of scarlet fever include sore throat, headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. After 12 to 48 hours the characteristic red, pinhead rash develops, typically first appearing on the chest and stomach, then rapidly spreading to other parts of the body, and giving the skin a sandpaper-like texture.

The scarlet rash may be harder to spot on darker skin, although the ‘sandpaper’ feel should be present. Children typically have flushed cheeks and pallor around the mouth. This may be accompanied by a ‘strawberry tongue’. As the child improves, peeling of the skin can occur.

What should you do if you think your child has scarlet fever?

Mr Cox, said: “Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is infectious, and we would urge the public not to panic but to be aware of the symptoms, in your child, which include a sore throat, headache, fever, a fine, pinkish, or red body rash with a sandpapery feel, and eventually a bumpy rash on the tongue.

“If you suspect your child has scarlet fever, please contact NHS 111 or your GP because early treatment with antibiotics is important to reduce the health impact and the risk of spreading the infection.

“Please also remember if your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.”

Additional advice for parents

Children and adults with suspected scarlet fever should not attend early years setting/school/work until 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment for scarlet fever.

Whilst scarlet fever is circulating it is especially important that any children and adults with chickenpox stay off school or their early years setting until all their blisters have dried over, which is at least five days after they first appeared.

There’s no need for the siblings or close contacts of cases to stay at home. If any close contacts develop symptoms such as a high temperature and vomiting (or generally feel too unwell to attend their school or childcare setting) then they should stay at home. If a parent is concerned that their child has symptoms of scarlet fever, they should contact their GP or NHS 111.

Related Posts

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith
Latest

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose
News

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
New vicar appointed for churches
News

New vicar appointed for churches

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer
News

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply
News

Penrith man admits possessing cannabis twice with intent to supply

20 June 2025
Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown
Expert advice

Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

15 June 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

Medal success for Upper Eden tug-of-war team

20 June 2025
New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

New Kirkby Stephen shop blends retail with purpose

20 June 2025
Award for Eden writer

Award for Eden writer

20 June 2025
Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

Risks and strategies for flexible pension drawdown

15 June 2025
Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

Arrests after drugs raid in Penrith

20 June 2025
New vicar appointed for churches

New vicar appointed for churches

20 June 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald