Illness is something that you sadly have to get accustomed to when you have children. 

Rashes, temperatures, coughs and colds come with the territory of bringing up little ones because they can easily pick up bugs from nursery, playgroups or school. 

I always have a bottle of Calpol and Nurofen next to my thermometer in the first aid box so I can administer it quickly when my seven-year-old and four-year-old get ill. 

We have been lucky with our children because they have good health in general. 

But there have been times when they spike a high temperature and we did have to take our daughter into hospital in Christmas 2019 when she was one and had breathing problems and a rash. 

It was scary but she recovered quickly. 

There is a lot of coverage in the press though after at least nine children in the UK have died because of Streptococcus A - or Strep A - following outbreaks across the country.   

Strep A is a bacterial infection of the throat or skin which can sometimes cause scarlet fever. 

There were 851 cases reported between November 14 to 20 this year, compared to an average of 186 in previous years, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). 

The bacteria are commonly found in the throat and on the skin with some of the main symptoms including a high temperature, a sore throat, or swollen glands. 

Children can also develop a sandpaper-like rash or a red, bumpy, inflamed tongue.   

I try to be calm but when you read about cases of Strep A and deaths, it is hard not to panic. 

The problem is, some of the symptoms are similar to other childhood illnesses, so it is a confusing situation for parents and doctors. 

It is always important though that families should seek medical advice if they are

worried.