For Kim Gardener, finding a much-needed bottle of penicillin for her sick daughter wasn’t easy.
Lexi has scarlet fever – she woke up Wednesday morning with a fever, a white tongue with red spots, and flu-like symptoms.
After bypassing the initial hurdle of getting a doctor’s appointment, Lexi was given a course of penicillin – but the problems had only just begun.
Read more: How dangerous is Strep A and what should you do if you have symptoms?
The GP’s pharmacy was out of antibiotics, so Ms. Gardener went to another pharmacy and they didn’t have the penicillin stock that her daughter needed so much.
He told Sky News that chasing the drug is frustrating and a major concern.
“The prescription was not initially sent to our regular pharmacy because it was out of stock. The GP and pharmacy said we might have problems, so I called the nearby pharmacies and luckily the third pharmacy I called had a prescription.”
“All the pharmacists I spoke to said there was a shortage in Crewe – it’s just frustrating, there needs to be more pharmacies as this continues.”
With rising cases In the North West of England, it is a problem that is likely to continue.
In fact, Lexi’s school declared an epidemic of scarlet fever, a contagious infection caused by bacteria that can cause Invasive Group A Strep. A boy at Leighton Academy Elementary was diagnosed with this and school attendance plummeted to record levels.
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Parents at the school gate were eager to share their concerns – one mother, Sarah Bibbey, told Sky News: “Knowing that there’s been a case at school is really intimidating, scary and we don’t want our kids to get into a bad situation.”
Another parent whose child goes to Grade 1 said, “Receiving a letter from the school that there is a case. Strep A It made me quite worried. You should consider whether to bring your child. I would say close the school and keep it closed until Christmas is over.”
The quarrel between them also angered the parents. government and pharmacists While Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claims that there is no shortage of antibiotics, nationwide saying the pharmacies stocks are minimal.
One father told us, “It’s very worrying to hear short speeches from pharmacists. I hope the government and companies figure this out soon because who knows, we may need them soon.”
Read more: How many cases of severe Strep A infection and scarlet fever are there in your area?
Leighton Academy is part of a trust of four other schools. Joanna Young, director of the primaries, said the three of them were facing the epidemic but were awaiting public health advice and guidance.
“This is very worrying and that’s why as a trust we have implemented some of our own measures, as we did during COVID-19. Like bringing back extra cleaning, sanitizing and antibacterial handwashing. The guideline has been a point of contention, a little bit more because we made decisions without full knowledge. It could have helped if he had been proactive.”
“Parents are afraid, seeing it on the news and hearing about the horrific deaths that have occurred are afraid of the unknown. They are worried and want more information themselves.”
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Scarlet fever is not uncommon at this time of year, but it is the level at which children become infected.
There is unease for those who finally need antibiotics.
And for schools – at the very front of this bacterial infection – guidance and support is much needed.