A leading medic at NCIC has issued some advice as to how and spot the signs and symptoms of RSV and Strep A, which are common in children at this time of year.
Katarina Berankova, Consultant in Paediatrics, said: “Group A Streptococci are bacteria that can cause illnesses such as scarlet fever, tonsillitis (throat infection) and impetigo (skin infection). While most of these are usually mild illnesses that can be easily treated with antibiotics, the bacteria is highly infectious. A small proportion of children can develop serious infections such as pneumonia (chest infection) and sepsis (bloodstream infection) as a complication of invasive Group A streptococcus.
“Parents should look for symptoms that indicate an invasive infection is developing, such as a continued raised temperature, lethargy or floppiness, not eating or drinking as usual, and lack of urination.
“There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating at this time of the year. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.
“Look out for symptoms in your child, which include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel.”
RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness worldwide, and almost 90 per cent of children in Britain will catch the bug in their first two years of life.
It typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms but is particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly where it can develop into conditions like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
In the UK, RSV accounts for roughly 40,000 hospitalisations and between 20 and 30 infant deaths every year.
Pregnant women from 28 weeks are now being offered the jab to protect their newborns, whose immune systems typically can’t tolerate vaccinations until they are at least eight weeks old.
Additionally, adults aged between 75 and 79 will be eligible for the jab.
It’s hoped that the new vaccination programme will free up thousands of hospital beds and relieve pressure on the NHS during the winter months.
If you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement and contact NHS 111 or your GP if:
· your child is getting worse
· your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
· your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
· your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
· your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
· your child is very tired or irritable
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
· your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
· there are pauses when your child breathes
· your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
· Your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.
