Rise of the Rashes!
From time to time, we see a significant rise in childhood illnesses such as scarlet fever, measles and ‘Slapped cheek’. All of these present with a red rash of some form. Below are quick links to each diagnosis. If you are concerned about your child please ring us asap.
Scarlet Fever
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Scarlet-fever/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Children with this condition will require antibiotics and should be on these for at least 24 hours before they can go back into school/ nursery to reduce the risk to others.
Slapped Cheek (Parvovirus B19)
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Slapped-cheek-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
This is a viral infection and is infectious for the 2 weeks before the rash appears. Once the rash has appeared the child is no longer infectious. If they are well enough they should be able to go to school/ nursery.
Measles
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Measles/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Children are infectious until 4/5 days after the rash has come out.
PLEASE NOTE ANY RASH THAT DOES NOT DISAPPEAR UNDER PRESSURE (FAILS THE SO CALLED ‘GLASS TEST’) NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION