Ancient Victorian Disease Are On the Rise and Making a Comeback in the UK

Gout, scarlet fever and pertussis or whooping cough, all these are diseases that sound straight out of A Dickensian Novel but believe it or not, Victorian diseases that haunted London at one time are making a comeback. Diseases like gout of which signs are an increase in uric acid was usually called the rich man’s disease because it usually occurred in those eating high protein and meat diets something which only rich people could afford in Victorian England. But today, research has seen that these diseases are occurring again in the UK which is a cause for concern among health professionals.

1A significant increase in Victorian diseases

Research of analysis from data acquired by the UK National Health Service revealed that there was a 52% increase in four main Victorian diseases since 2010 and 2011. Till now, these diseases were assumed to be from a bygone era and not expected to make a comeback but they have which has alarmed health care officials probing the reasons.

2Thought to be eradicated by vaccinations but not so

The diseases in question were thought to be eradicated mainly due to vaccination and modern medicine but it seems medical history is resurrecting itself in the form of such conditions according to such research and the old enemies of England are at it again. Research has also found life expectancy declining in the UK especially in poorer communities and malnourishment cases in hospitals have increased by 54 %.

3Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever cases have soared in the past ten years and the increase has been a whopping 208%. From just 429 cases in 2010/11, it has jumped to 1,321 in 2017/18. The disease caused by bacteria is a leading cause of fatality in children characterized by symptoms like sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph glands and pin to red rash.

4What is scarlet fever?

Also known as scarlatina, it is a streptococcus group A strep infection that develops from strep throat. Its typical symptoms are the bright red rash on the body and are accompanied by high fever, sore throat and possible body pain. The fever mainly attacks children between 5-15 and can be serious if not treated. Antibiotics administered early in the disease can help with faster recovery and reduce the symptoms.