Health expert Dr Hilary Jones has appeared on TV to warn families which Strep A signs to look out for in their children. Good Morning Britain's favourite medic's message to ITV viewers came after the deaths were recently announced of eight UK children from the illness. Since his appearance on the show on Tuesday morning that figure has now increased to nine following the confirmation of the death of a girl in Belfast.
The health expert was discussing the outbreak with hosts Robert Rinder and Susanna Reid and said: "Invasive Strep A is a rare disease. While it's killed eight children it's very, very unusual to see such serious illnesses – we're talking of a rate of 2.3 in 100,000 children.
"However it doesn't make it any easier for a parent who is worrying about their children," he added. Dr Hilary then went on to list the most important signs to watch out for, ChronicleLive reports.
Read More: Ninth child dies with Strep A as expert says parents right to be worried
"I think the best advice I can give is to be vigilant," he said. "Look out for the red-flag symptoms which are severe sore throat, white spots on the back of the tonsils and back of the throat.
"You can see that if you open your child's mouth you can catch the white on the tonsils at the back of the throat. Look also for large glands in the neck. A fever is always going to occur and sometimes there is a rash – a scarlet fever rash, small."
He added: "A fever is always going to occur with a Strep A infection and sometimes this rash, which is small red bumps that feel like sandpaper." He also gave advice to those having trouble seeing a doctor. The doc told viewers: "If you can't get a GP appointment, if 111 can't phone you back within a few hours and you're worried then you only have one alternative. That's to go to A&E."
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