Scarlet fever and chickenpox - What you need to know

» Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus and can complicate other skin infections such as chickenpox, when both infections are circulating, as is currently the case.

A total of 3,488 notifications of scarlet fever were reported between September 2021 and March 2022 in England compared to an average of 8,605 for this same period in the previous 5 years.

Notifications last season and at the start of this season are thought to be below average due to a variety of measures in place during the pandemic.

Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious, so UKHSA is advising parents to be on the lookout for symptoms, which include a sore throat, headache and fever with a characteristic fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel.

If signs of scarlet fever are suspected, it is important to contact your local GP or NHS 111. Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important as it helps reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia and the spread of the infection to others.

Children or adults diagnosed with scarlet fever are advised to stay at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

» Chickenpox

Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly infectious infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, an presents with a characteristic rash, with vesicles on the face, spreading down over the body to the arms and legs.

Although generally mild in otherwise healthy children, it can be more severe in pregnant women and immunosuppressed individuals. Children with chickenpox should remain at home until they are better and the rash has gone.

Many common infections declined during lockdown and are now circulating at higher levels, and this includes chickenpox, which is also common in pre-school and nursery settings.