CHESHIRE East Council is urging parents to know how to spot the signs of scarlet fever.

This message follows a rise in cases of the infection being seen by doctors across the North West region.

Dr Matt Tyrer, Health Protection Lead at Cheshire East Council, said: “Although scarlet fever is a mild illness, it spreads very easily. With more cases than usual being seen this year it’s very important for parents to recognise the signs, so that their children can be treated early.”

The main symptoms of scarlet fever are a fine pinkish or red rash, usually starting on the chest or stomach and is rough to the touch, like sandpaper.

These early indicators are usually paired with a sore throat, headache and fever.

Dr Tyrer added: “If parents think that their child has the symptoms of scarlet fever, we urge them to contact their GP so that they can be assessed and treated as soon as possible.

“It’s also important that the children are kept out of school at least 24 hours after starting taking the antibiotics.”

Scarlet fever is one of the diseases that usually spreads at this time of year – but a higher number of cases than expected have been seen so far in 2018.

It mostly affects the under-10s and is less common in teenagers and adults.

Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness but it spreads from person to person very easily and, if untreated, can have some more severe complications.

It is best for antibiotics to be started early so that more serious health problems, such as pneumonia, can be avoided and to stop the illness from spreading further.

The spread from person to person can be slowed down or stopped by thorough hand washing and by keeping children off school for at least 24 hours after their GP has started them on antibiotics, and until the child is well enough to go back.

For more information about scarlet fever and its symptoms, visit the NHS webpage at nhs.uk/conditions/scarlet-fever/.