To take my baby to baby groups? She's just had scarlet fever

[juniper44]

My 6mo dd was hospitalised this week with scarlet fever. It was an incredibly stressful, upsetting and scary time for all of us, but she responded well to her IV of fluids and heavy duty doses of antibiotics. She had IV antibiotics at 2am on Wednesday and Thursday and then 10pm on Thursday night (Friday's dose brought forwards). From Friday (yesterday) onwards, she's been on oral antibiotics 4 times a day. We were discharged from hospital on Thursday night, hence why they gave the final IV shot early.

She is getting better and is happy to roll around and play.

The nhs website says that it's no longer contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics, so that would have been 2am on Thursday. I did ask the doctor at the hospital but she didn't know about the infection period. I think she's their first case.

Wibu to take her to my usual baby groups this week, assuming she is well enough? She still has the rash so looks like she's ill, but the information I've read says she isn't a risk.

[TimeForAnotherNameChange]

In all honesty I think I probably wouldn't, is be worried she was still vulnerable to other infections herself. Perhaps give it another week till after the holidays.

[Misspixietrix]

Are they not still infectious with the rash? I think I read that somewhere. I wouldn't risk it to be honest.

[shakinstevenslovechild]

I wouldn't risk it either, I'd wait until the rash goes, sounds like you have all been through the mill for the past few days, a couple more days of rest will be good for you.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

She won't be infectious so if she seems well it's up to you.

The rash will probably worry other mums though.

[CbeebiesIsAboutToPop]

I wouldn't, she may not be infectious but her immune system is compromised. She's fighting off this illness and is susseptable to all the coughs, colds and sickness bugs the other children will be harbouring :( I'd wait at least a week if not 2.

[MinesaMess]

You're right about not being infectious 24 hours after commencing antibiotics. However anyone who's been in contact with your baby could well harbour the bacteria asymptomatically and spread it to others. Not sure how long for though.

[annielouisa]

Please do not do it my DGD3 suffered from scarlet fever which reduced her immune system and then caught chickenpox. She was really ill and in hospital and she is a normally healthy 6 year old.

[EverythingIsAwesome]

It took my gran, husband and daughter a long time to recover from scarlet fever despite no longer being infectious, it really wore them out. Id let her have a weeks rest.

[BerniesBurneze]

I give my son a week's rest if he's been v poorly. I hate it when illnesses stack up.

[Waltonswatcher1]

Not a good idea!
I am so happy your dd came through that nightmare safely .
She has had a battering physically and needs time to recover her strength . I would avoid large gatherings of kids . Invite close play mates to your house if you need company .

[Rushyswife]

I really wouldn't. Aside from the fact other mums may feel (rightly or wrongly) that you are disregarding their child's health, your poor dd needs to recover. Her immune system will have taken a real battering and will therefore be much more likely to pick up each and every bug doing the rounds.

For what it's worth, I really empathise, my dis was hospitalised at 6 months for an operation which knocked his immune system. A week later he was back in with a throat infection. Take the time, enjoy the cuddles and at least good weather is on the cards so you can sit out in the garden/park

[PansOnFire]

Please don't, you've been through a really awful time and I'm sure you wouldn't wish that on anyone. I realise you've been told that it's not contageous at this point but it's very close, and realistically no one really knows. There may be babies who have weakened immune systems from being premature/ill, there may also be adults who have compromised immune systems too. If she is still contageous then it would be awful for another child to catch it knowing it could have been prevented.

Secondly, your baby will be at a very low ebb and will be susceptible to every bug. Give her another week to recover and then get back out there. It must feel quite suffocating to have to stay away from groups etc if you're used to going, but it's better to not take risks when it comes to health.

[sittingatmydeskagain]

I wouldn't - I think she needs a proper chance to rest and recover without the risk of catching something else.

[coldwater1]

I wouldn't but then i'm not a fan of those baby groups due to all the bugs .

[aermingers]

I wouldn't. My mother had Scarlet Fever in the 80s and was very ill for years afterwards with what would now be considered post viral ME.

I just wouldn't take the tiniest risk with other people. It can have such horrible consequences that it's just not worth taking even the smallest risk.

When you weigh up risks to benefits does not missing out on baby group to for a couple of weeks really seem like a benefit worth risking someone elses health for?

I'm rather shocked you're even asking the question TBH.

[TheRealJoanWarburton]

I'm old, and scarlet fever killed people when I was a child. Everything in your house had to be burned, all fabrics and soft furnishings, if there was a case of scarlet fever in the family.

Remembering that, even though times have changed, I'd keep away from other children for a while.

[whatever5]

She won't infect other children with scarlet fever but they might infect her with something. I would keep her away from other children until she is totally better.

[BornFreeButinChains]

TheRealJoanWarburton

really? why does it not kill now then>

I have never heard of it till this week and heard its going round.

op I would leave it a week, CP is going round and all sorts....just let her rest and play at home.

[BornFreeButinChains]

why has SF suddenly emerged I have not heard of it? why no vaccinations?

[Sharaluck]

I wouldn't, it would worry the other mums too much imo. Also let her rest up at home.

[Misspixietrix]

Antibiotics I presume Born .

[aermingers]

I wouldn't be completely convinced it wasn't infectious either. What about anti-biotic resistance?

[Misspixietrix]

There is no vaccines for SF but I also think the reduced number (in my very humble opinion) of vaccinations intake hasn't helped stop it from being so prevalent. A big part of vaccinations is that it offers herd immunity for those who can't have it (I could never have whooping cough vaccine for medical reasons) and I think it helps booster their immune system so that the body can cope better when non preventable illnesses such as SF occur. I'm in the East Midlands and there's a huge epidemic here.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Aermingers there is no antibiotic resistance when it comes to SF