What to look for with strep a

[YukoandHiro]

For the first time since all the stories about invasive strep a came about, my toddler (2y 3m) has a fever.
She's kind of fine in herself apart from a bit moany and a runny nose. Doesn't seem extremely unwell, but will keep her off nursery tomorrow if any sign of fever in the morning
I'm just very prone to health anxiety and worried about what to look for if things aren't right
The news articles all seem to point to different things, some which would be hard for a toddler to explain (eg "localised muscle weakness")
Can anyone help? I just want to feel like I know what I'm looking for other than the sandpaper rash for scarlet fever

Bump!

My son was diagnosed with strep a few weeks ago after a phone consultation where he was complaining of sore throat and sudden tummy pains which appeared to be intermittent. He also had a white tongue so that it white at the back of the throat is another sign.

Hope that helps xx

Thank you - can't sleep for worrying which I know is silly

When my DD had strep throat, it was a fever that came on suddenly and we struggled to get it down with paracetamol, being sick (and she’s never sick normally!), refusing food and spots on the roof of her mouth. Scarlet fever, which she didn’t have, has the rash. Runny nose is not a symptom so maybe your DD has a typical cold. Strep is quite common though, 3 in 10 kids with sore throats have strep according to the CDC. O know this year has been bad but usually it isn’t something to worry about.

We've just got over a bout of it, don't worry, I was terrified too but it wasn't unlike any other nursery virus in terms of severity or mending time. My DD had a coated tongue, little ulcers in her mouth, an upset tummy (poos rather than sick but she's basically never one to vomit), refusal of food, refusal of drink, really tired and really really grumpy. Took her to look as we thought perhaps tonsils etc and it was strep a. 24 hours on her antibiotics and she started eating and drinking again, 48 hours she was basically normal. Last day on them today and she's back to nursery absolutely unscathed.

My two had it recently, one of whom developed scarlet fever.
For is it was sudden onset of fever that paracetamol barely touched, at least bit for long, sleepiness and refusal to eat. Swollen tonsils with pus, and then of course the rash for scarlet fever when that developed. Really quick recovery once antibiotics started.

When strep A went in the news and it was first nurses strike, I ordered two test kits from an online pharmacy. We haven't had to use them but I like knowing I can find out and call it in.

There were £13 each but there are cheaper ones on Amazon.

It was this one:
damhealthshop.com/products/strep-a-at-home-test