Parents in Tayside and Fife are being urged to look out for symptoms of Strep A in their children following reports of local cases.
Eight cases of Strep A in children under 10 years have been identified in Scotland, according to Public Health Scotland (PHS).
The illness is caused by the bacteria group A streptococci. It is spread by contact with an infected person, or contact with infected skin lesions.
Common symptoms of a Strep A infection include:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- High temperature
- A skin rash made up of raised pink or purple spots, which feels like sandpaper to the touch.
- Swollen tonsils with white patches.
- Swollen neck glands.
In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause IGAS. Symptoms include:
- High fever.
- Severe muscle aches.
- Pain in one area of the body.
- Redness at the site of a wound.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea.
