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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Strep A: Surge in parents at Broomfield A&E over child health concerns | Strep A: Surge in parents at Broomfield A&E over child health concerns |
| (3 months later) | |
| Broomfield Hospital saw a high number of children over the weekend following concerns about strep A infections | Broomfield Hospital saw a high number of children over the weekend following concerns about strep A infections |
| An emergency ward doctor said hospitals were seeing increased numbers of worried parents after a rise in cases of strep A infections nationally. | An emergency ward doctor said hospitals were seeing increased numbers of worried parents after a rise in cases of strep A infections nationally. |
| The infection has led to nine deaths of children in the UK in recent months. | The infection has led to nine deaths of children in the UK in recent months. |
| Dr Stephen Hughes, of Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, said hospitals in Essex had seen "very, very high attendances from parents who are very worried". | Dr Stephen Hughes, of Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, said hospitals in Essex had seen "very, very high attendances from parents who are very worried". |
| The NHS advised people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms. | The NHS advised people to familiarise themselves with the symptoms. |
| Dr Hughes, a consultant and a senior lecturer in medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, said the rise in children being presented was "putting particular pressure on hospitals around the county and nationally". | Dr Hughes, a consultant and a senior lecturer in medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, said the rise in children being presented was "putting particular pressure on hospitals around the county and nationally". |
| He said he had been "briefing his team to make sure they know what they're looking out for" when presented with poorly children. | He said he had been "briefing his team to make sure they know what they're looking out for" when presented with poorly children. |
| Strep A: Broomfield Hospital doctor gives advice to worried parents | Strep A: Broomfield Hospital doctor gives advice to worried parents |
| Strep A: Broomfield Hospital doctor gives advice to worried parents | Strep A: Broomfield Hospital doctor gives advice to worried parents |
| The symptoms of a strep A infection can include a sore throat, sandpaper-like skin rash, high temperature, swollen glands and muscle aches. | The symptoms of a strep A infection can include a sore throat, sandpaper-like skin rash, high temperature, swollen glands and muscle aches. |
| Medical experts said symptoms were usually mild and could be treated with antibiotics. | Medical experts said symptoms were usually mild and could be treated with antibiotics. |
| The bacteria could cause scarlet fever, which mostly affects young children, and could also be treated with antibiotics. | The bacteria could cause scarlet fever, which mostly affects young children, and could also be treated with antibiotics. |
| Very rarely, strep A can cause invasive group-A streptococcal infection (iGAS), which can be deadly. | Very rarely, strep A can cause invasive group-A streptococcal infection (iGAS), which can be deadly. |
| Dr Hughes, who has worked in emergency services for 12 years, said: "The main message is, most sore throats, mercifully, are self-limiting viral infections." | Dr Hughes, who has worked in emergency services for 12 years, said: "The main message is, most sore throats, mercifully, are self-limiting viral infections." |
| He said parents should also look out for the tongue being coated with a red rash and children not wanting to eat which meant "medical treatment should be sought". | He said parents should also look out for the tongue being coated with a red rash and children not wanting to eat which meant "medical treatment should be sought". |
| Dr Hughes said: "If a child is complaining of a little bit of a sore throat, but is still managing breakfast, is still managing to eat and drink, it probably isn't invasive group A strep." | Dr Hughes said: "If a child is complaining of a little bit of a sore throat, but is still managing breakfast, is still managing to eat and drink, it probably isn't invasive group A strep." |
| Strep A schools may be given preventive antibiotics | Strep A schools may be given preventive antibiotics |
| Strep A: Why it can be dangerous and what to know | Strep A: Why it can be dangerous and what to know |
| Five-year-old girl dies from illness linked to strep A | Five-year-old girl dies from illness linked to strep A |
| Dr Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend's director of public health, said strep A cases had presented themselves earlier than normal this winter. | Dr Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend's director of public health, said strep A cases had presented themselves earlier than normal this winter. |
| The last time there was a similar outbreak was in 1718, he said. | The last time there was a similar outbreak was in 1718, he said. |
| "The level of immunity in the system is very low, there's a lot of challenges there, a lot of people getting concerned and turning up to hospital because they are concerned," said Dr Ramkhelawon. | "The level of immunity in the system is very low, there's a lot of challenges there, a lot of people getting concerned and turning up to hospital because they are concerned," said Dr Ramkhelawon. |
| He added that at this time of year there were a lot of respiratory illnesses and it was important to observe good hygiene, such as washing children's hands and using tissues. | He added that at this time of year there were a lot of respiratory illnesses and it was important to observe good hygiene, such as washing children's hands and using tissues. |
| Worried parents should contact their GP and the NHS 111 service in the first instance before going to hospital, he said. | Worried parents should contact their GP and the NHS 111 service in the first instance before going to hospital, he said. |
| Dr Ramkhelawon said there was no reason at present to introduce preventative antibiotics in schools. | Dr Ramkhelawon said there was no reason at present to introduce preventative antibiotics in schools. |
| Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk | Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Chelmsford | Chelmsford |
| Broomfield | Broomfield |
| Health | |
| Child health | Child health |
| Essex |