People are being urged to be on the lookout for the signs of scarlet fever after it was revealed that the disease is on the increase in Wales

Cases of scarlet fever have soared in the last three years with 1,234 cases reported in 2015, compared to just 190 cases in 2013, and 1,375 in 2014.

The infection comes into its peak season typically between late March and mid April.

Public Health Wales urged people to be aware of its symptoms.

These include a pink-red rash, high temperature and a red, swollen tongue, with the disease most common in children under 10.

Cases of scarlet fever in England and Wales taken together are now at their highest level for almost 50 years, according to Public Health England.

In Wales, 283 cases have been reported so far this year.

Dr Chris Williams, consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales, said: "Most cases of scarlet fever will clear up on their own, but it is still best to seek medical advice

According to NHS Choices the symptoms of scarlet fever usually take two to give dats to appear after infection and include AV sore throat, headache, high temperature (38.3C/101F) or above), flushed face and swollen tongue and a distinctive pink-red rash which develops 12 to 48 hours later.

Red blotches are the first sign of the rash. These turn into a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch and looks like sunburn. It may also be itchy.

The rash usually starts on the chest and stomach, but soon spreads to other parts of the body, such as the ears, neck, elbows, inner thighs and groin.

The rash doesn’t usually spread to the face. However, the cheeks become flushed and the area just around the mouth stays quite pale. The rash will turn white if you press a glass on it.

The rash usually fades after about a week, but the outer layers of skin, usually on the hands and feet, may peel for several weeks afterwards.

In milder cases, sometimes called scarlatina, the rash may be the only symptoms

Other symptoms may include:

swollen neck glands

loss of appetite

nausea or vomiting

red lines in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, which may last a couple of days after the rash has gone

a white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later leaving the tongue red and swollen (this is known as strawberry tongue)

a general feeling of being unwell

See your GP as soon as possible if you think you or your child has scarlet fever. Although the illness usually clears up after about a week, your GP will be able to confirm a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

If your child has chickenpox and develops a rash that looks like scarlet fever, it may be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection.

In this case, you should seek immediate medical advice to reduce the risk of potentially serious complications.