26/08/2026
🌼 SCARLET FEVER – KNOW THE SIGNS
Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects young children and is usually treated with antibiotics.
Early symptoms can include:
🌡️ A high temperature
😣 Sore throat
💙 Swollen neck glands
A rash usually appears 12–48 hours later, often starting on the chest and tummy before spreading. It can feel rough like sandpaper.
On white skin the rash may look pink or red. On brown or black skin the colour can be harder to see, but you can still feel the rough, raised texture.
The cheeks may look flushed and a white coating can appear on the tongue, which can later become red and swollen.
Scarlet fever is very infectious, so if you think your child may have it, keep them away from nursery or school and seek medical advice.
⚠️ Get medical advice promptly if you're concerned your child is becoming more unwell, particularly if they develop symptoms such as severe muscle aches, localised muscle tenderness, redness around a wound or unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea.
As always, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, seek medical advice. 💙
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Source: NHS
