PARENTS are being urged to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of scarlet fever after a rise in the number of reported cases.

Figures released by Public Health England show 546 cases were reported across the North West from September to the end of January, an increase of 46 from the same time last year.

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Nationally, 3,325 people contracted the bacterial illness in the skin and throat across the country.

It mainly affects children and is highly contagious with symptoms including a sore throat, a high temperature and a pinkish rash.

Dr Tom Smith, The Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, said the infection can be treated with antibiotics and paracetamol.

He said: “Parents of children who are not sick should not be put off sending their children to school or nursery.

“It is a lot easier to treat now than it was before the 1950s because there’s penicillin and other drugs available.

“People can be infected one or two days before they start showing symptoms.

“The figures show there’s been a rise, but if we look back through history, there used to be epidemics of 70,000 contracting scarlet fever every year.

“The use of penicillin from the 1950s onwards would treat streptococcus, a strand of bacteria that causes the fever to occur, helped bring the number of cases down.

“A rash can start on the chest and spread all over the patient’s body, with a strong scarlet colour. Years ago, those who had scarlet fever suffered with complications in later life, such as joint paint and kidney problems.”

In rare cases the fever has been known to spread to a patient’s heart and cause it to become inflamed. Between 300 and 400 cases of scarlet fever are being reported every week.

The highest levels are typically seen in March and April.

In the past two years, the total number of cases reported by the end of April has been on the rise.

Scarlet fever usually occurs in children, mostly between the ages of two and eight.

A PHE spokeswoman said nurseries and schools are told to try to curb the spread of the bug through encouraging youngsters and staff to wash their hands.

He said: “It’s not uncommon to see more cases of scarlet fever during winter and spring.

“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.”