Scarlet fever is appearing in Saanich schools.
The office of Dave Eberwein, superintendent of School District 63, confirmed there were a couple of cases affecting students, although Eberwein was not immediately available to comment.
According to HealthLink BC, scarlet fever is much like strep throat with a rash and is most common in children between the ages of two and 10.
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Scarlet fever comes with the same symptoms as strep throat except for the rash and can include a fever, sore throat and difficulty swallowing, white or yellow spots on the throat and tonsils. Other symptoms that appear before the rash, especially in children, can include body aches, headaches, nausea, vomiting or listlessness.
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The rash is rough, red, feels like fine sandpaper and will usually appear 24 hours after the fever starts, beginning on the chest and abdomen and spreading over the rest of the body within a couple of days.
The illness can be treated with antibiotics.
kendra.crighton@blackpress.ca
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