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Original poster

Scared DD has strep, when do I get her seen?

41 replies

Rolypops · 17/12/2022 07:08

DD is 14 and never really gets unwell. Yesterday she came home from school and said she felt a bit rubbish, by the evening she had a really sore throat and was coughing because it felt irritated. She went to bed but has woken up with a temp of 37.9 and a really bad headache and her throat is really hurting her. I've had a look in her mouth and her tongue and throat look OK but I am so worried it is Strep and I am trying to fight off the urge to rush her in to be seen. She's just so rarely ill and is really upset this morning. I have such terrible health anxiety and don't know what to do for the best, it's seemed to move so quickly in the children that tragically passed and I'm scared to leave it too long. Any advice/reassurance would be really gratefully received. DH was away last night so I've been up all night worried.

OP posts:
panko · 17/12/2022 07:10

Call 111 they will talk you through it

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 17/12/2022 07:12

Yes,call 111.

Hollyhead · 17/12/2022 07:13

Out of hours GP and get it swabbed. That’s what our go did for my DS’s illness - and it wasn’t strep.

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Naz2009 · 17/12/2022 07:13

Have you checked your daughters body for a rash. It appears on the body to start off with and it's like sandpaper.
It is very scary, as a mother of a imunocompromised child, I can understand your anxiety.
Give her plenty of fluids to flush the toxins out of her body and keep her hydrated.
Could be she has a viral bug. Lots of children have it right now.
There is no harm in getting her checked out, for your own peace of mind. Has she got swollen glands. (Check her neck)

Crimsonripple · 17/12/2022 07:18

I wouldn't be too worried of a temp at 37. Strep would be red marks on the throat - doctor showed us the other day when we got our son checked out - he was fine. I would keep her fluids up, rest and pain killers.

Obviously you can ring 111 but they're utterly useless in my opinion. When I was having a miscarriage they said I could visit a pharmacy!! So I will never call them again and will use my instinct.

Singleandproud · 17/12/2022 07:19

Strep is scary but to put it into context I work in a secondary school and we had over 350+ children off on one day with cough, cold, sore throat head ache symptoms in just one day this week. My own DD at a different high school has been off with the same. There are a lot of different viruses about and it's the first year in a while we haven't all been wearing face masks in the winter and students (and staff) in schools are struggling. Keep an eye out for the sandpaper rash but the chances are it's a normal viral infection and will pass shortly.

Original poster
Rolypops · 17/12/2022 07:20

I imagine 111 will tell me she doesn't need to be seen right now as she doesn't have most of the symptoms of strep. Ideally I'd call the GP but as its the weekend I imagine we either wait until Monday or take her to a&e, which is merged with the urgent care centre in our town. I've given her a paracetamol and settled her back into bed, I think if she's any worse this afternoon I will take her in, I'd rather be safe than sorry and with my health anxiety I'm prone to leave things because I know I can be a hyperchondriac, but she just doesn't seem like herself at all.

OP posts:
Shemovesshemoves21 · 17/12/2022 07:21

Call 111 and see if you can get an OOO appointment. Don't fight the feeling to get her seen ASAP, follow your gut. No point stressing yourself out with worry - this what doctors are there for!

Raindancer411 · 17/12/2022 07:22

You could take some photos of her throat and see if a pharmacy can help? Some have extra training to see people.

SuperfastJellyfish · 17/12/2022 07:25

Currently on hold to 111 as I'm having the same worries. My 3 year old was lethargic with a cough yesterday and then has been sick overnight and now rocking a temp of 38.8. I'm not neurotic with the kids usually but fevers worry me and he is prone to really high fevers. We have been in hospital with him several times with them. I'm also mainly concerned as it's the weekend. My GP surgery is great and usually get straight in with kids. Dunno where I may get sent out of hours and dreading ending up in A&E.

Imtoooldforthisbs · 17/12/2022 07:25

Have you done a covid test? We have just been through all this and it turned out to be covid. Sore throat, headache, cough, achy - it may be worth doing one. I hope your DD feels better soon.

Original poster
Rolypops · 17/12/2022 07:28

Imtoooldforthisbs · 17/12/2022 07:25

Have you done a covid test? We have just been through all this and it turned out to be covid. Sore throat, headache, cough, achy - it may be worth doing one. I hope your DD feels better soon.

It only dawned on me this morning that it could be Covid, at this point I think I'd prefer that to Strep A! It's just so hard to know what to do for the best right now. I don't want to waste anyone's time but ultimately I'd rather be cautious at the moment. Her throat does look ok to me though, no obvious marks or redness and her tongue is normal.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 17/12/2022 07:29

Get some spray that numbs her throat, some painkillers and send her to bed. Plenty fluids.

If she's not ill often then it might be a bit of a fright, there are some nasty vicious bugs going around but the majority of them can be managed at home.

Imtoooldforthisbs · 17/12/2022 07:35

I understand how you feel, I went through these same emotions. I was very relieved when DS8 DD6 tested positive for covid (never thought I would say that), as it meant I could relax about step A (for now)!

Morechocmorechoc · 17/12/2022 07:35

The problem taking her in is she'll likely catch something else if she's already Ill. Personally I'd wait and see for now as it's just started.

Chaiandchocolate · 17/12/2022 07:36

Trusts your instincts and seek advice later if you feel she is getting worse, and look out for the sandpaper rash and strawberry tongue symptoms etc.

However, do remember that it’s most likely to be the common cold or Covid. DS(7) woke up yesterday with a high temp, sore throat, headache and aching all over - turns out it’s Covid again.

StaringAtTheWater · 17/12/2022 07:40

A few rules of thumb I'd use. Does paracetamol bring down her temperature at least a little and make her feel a little (but assume not fully) better?

Is she still eating reasonable amounts?

Both the above are good signs. Most of the deaths from strep A are in children under 10, so at 14 (and normally healthy) she would be highly unlikely to develop a serious complication, even if it is strep. But obviously keep a good eye on her, and if she takes a turn for the worse then get her seen.

Whattodonowadays · 17/12/2022 07:44

Some of the pharmacy’s in my area are testing for strep a, is that an option for you? Take her to the chemist to get her swabbed? Put your mind at rest?

Original poster
Rolypops · 17/12/2022 07:49

Whattodonowadays · 17/12/2022 07:44

Some of the pharmacy’s in my area are testing for strep a, is that an option for you? Take her to the chemist to get her swabbed? Put your mind at rest?

I didn't know this I might call and ask when they open.

I had considered that as well @Morechocmorechoc , if I take her in and it isn't strep she could catch something else while at the clinic getting seen!

I've given her paracetamol and tucked her in. Going to check on her in a couple of hours, if worse by lunchtime I think I'll have to take her in.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 17/12/2022 07:54

I’m not usually too worried about things but dc had similar recently, it stressed me a bit before we knew it was chicken pox not strep A

The GP was so nice and easy to see though, with phone consultation. The hard part is that it’s the weekend but see if you can get a GP

Try 111 too - if there’s no rash etc it might be a factor

3WildOnes · 17/12/2022 08:08

If she is still chatty and OK in herself I wouldn't do anything. That is a pretty low grade fever. We have all had a similar bug this past week.

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 17/12/2022 08:11

www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a.

ShowOfHands · 17/12/2022 08:15

I have health anxiety and struggle to know what to do but nothing about what you've described would ring alarm bells for me. I work in secondary and we've had half our students off with throat/cough/fever/flu symptoms and not a single case of strep confirmed.

DS had scarlet fever 12 months ago in a localised outbreak and it was obvious. He had a raised, rough sandpapery rash over his entire torso, strawberry tongue, pus in his throat and a fever of 40.

MarshaBradyo · 17/12/2022 08:17

ShowOfHands · 17/12/2022 08:15

I have health anxiety and struggle to know what to do but nothing about what you've described would ring alarm bells for me. I work in secondary and we've had half our students off with throat/cough/fever/flu symptoms and not a single case of strep confirmed.

DS had scarlet fever 12 months ago in a localised outbreak and it was obvious. He had a raised, rough sandpapery rash over his entire torso, strawberry tongue, pus in his throat and a fever of 40.

Yeh I think this is key.

Dd had pox but looking at pics when we were trying yi work it out the rash is quite distinct and the tongue too

Triffid1 · 17/12/2022 08:20

There are a lot of bugs going around and even if it is strep, she seems to be coping well. I would continue to monitor and give paracetamol, as much fluid as possible and see how she is.

Many children with strep don't even seem to need antibiotics. If she does seem worse, check.local pharmacies if they do a swab kit because certainly in our area, if the child is v unwell and has a positive test, they seem to be prescribing meds over the phone.

Half of dds class seems to have it. And so far, severity seems to range from "bad cold and sore throat but fine" to " very ill and a bit lethargic but recovering"