Health care specialists are asking parents not to overwhelm the Emergency Department this Christmas with children who have mild Strep A infections.

The common type of bacteria group A streptococci, which is associated with tonsillitis and scarlet fever, has been in the news lately following the deaths of several children in the UK.

Doctor Clare Betteridge from the MSG says there have been no life-threatening (invasive) Strep A infections in Guernsey.

But she adds there is a risk to the stock of liquid antibiotics usually given to children, if parents use them to treat mild illnesses:

"The main issue of the supply chain would be the oral antibiotics.

Most children would only take a liquid, so it’s important that we save these antibiotics for the children that really need them.

She says that if anyone (adult or child) was to become extremely unwell with invasive Strep A, Guernsey has a large supply of stronger intravenous antibiotics, which would be injected into the bloodstream.

Doctor Betteridge is asking carers to avoid taking young people to the GP or the Emergency department at the PEH unless they have severe symptoms:

The reason to worry and to take your child to ED would be if they become pale, feel cold to the touch, go blue around the lips, have a fit or if they are too breathless to eat, speak or drink.

For any other symptoms then we would suggest that you try and make an appointment with a GP.

And don't be surprised if your child isn't treated with antibiotics. There are lots of bugs going around at the moment and these could be confused with Strep A."

The advice is to contact 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 the Emergency Department 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

• your child has a non-blanching rash (doesn’t go with the glass test)