A woman says she contracted scarlet fever—once known as a “Victorian disease”—after attending a concert at a local pub in Brixton.
The Symptoms
Indigo Duffy told Metro UK that she first thought she had caught a cold or flu after a recent festival. However, a few days later, she noticed red welts on her legs while showering. Soon after, she woke up with what she described as a “burning rash” across her body.
“It was a lumpy rash, which was awful. The more you itched it, it kind of made it worse,” Duffy explained.
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The Diagnosis
After researching her symptoms, Duffy suspected scarlet fever—a disease once a leading cause of child deaths in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Doctors later confirmed the diagnosis. She said she was heavily concerned due to the historical reputation of the illness.
Doctors prescribed antibiotics, which they said would relieve her symptoms within a week. Still, Duffy shared that she has been left with ongoing skin issues, including dryness and peeling.
Historical Context
Scarlet fever, caused by group A strep bacteria, was once one of the most feared infectious diseases in Europe. Today, it is treatable with modern antibiotics but can still cause serious complications if untreated. Health officials in the UK have reported periodic spikes in recent years, reminding the public to be aware of symptoms like rashes, fever, and sore throat.