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AIBU?

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Original poster

DS has fever and sore throat - strep A?

115 replies

Badgerandfox227 · 03/12/2022 09:43

So my DS 4 came down with a fever overnight and has a sore throat. He’s had some calpol and has gone back to sleep. I would normally let something like this run it’s course, but it’s concerning with the Strep A reports and seems that getting antibiotics early is the best thing if it ends up being Strep A.

AIBU to call 111 and try and get an out of hours?

OP posts:
00kitty · 03/12/2022 21:32

My 1 yr old dd was really I’ll last week, fever of 39.7 and totally not herself literally sleeping all day, not eating, really bad cough. Partner had taken her to GP in day who said she was fine just had a cold.
When I called 111 they said 1 hour for a callback…meanwhile don’t travel on public transport anywhere as some symptoms are covid….so I tested and low and behold positive and eldest DD positive too. So it may be worth doing a covid test too.

Took dd a good 3-4 days to go back to normal and 10 days until we could go out again as I kept testing positive (today was our 1st trip out, such a joy getting back out!)
If the strep A news had been in the news the week before I most definitely would have wanted her seen again, I don’t think I would have slept at all myself for worrying about that.

Thanks to poster who said they do tests you can order for strep A going to have a Google and see if we can add to the first aid box

00kitty · 03/12/2022 21:33

00kitty · 03/12/2022 21:32

My 1 yr old dd was really I’ll last week, fever of 39.7 and totally not herself literally sleeping all day, not eating, really bad cough. Partner had taken her to GP in day who said she was fine just had a cold.
When I called 111 they said 1 hour for a callback…meanwhile don’t travel on public transport anywhere as some symptoms are covid….so I tested and low and behold positive and eldest DD positive too. So it may be worth doing a covid test too.

Took dd a good 3-4 days to go back to normal and 10 days until we could go out again as I kept testing positive (today was our 1st trip out, such a joy getting back out!)
If the strep A news had been in the news the week before I most definitely would have wanted her seen again, I don’t think I would have slept at all myself for worrying about that.

Thanks to poster who said they do tests you can order for strep A going to have a Google and see if we can add to the first aid box

Oh and she developed an awful rash mainly over her forehead and behind ears and all through her hair

CheesenCrackersmm · 03/12/2022 22:17

Children are dying. You can be as pissy as you like but if my child gets unwell I will be doing whatever I need to do. And if that means a&e? I'll do it. I don't care

How is that relevant to a thead where the OP has only mentioned a fever and a sore throat?

If everybody packed out a&e for that then a damn sight more people would die because the NHS would be overrun.

popandchoc · 03/12/2022 22:19

My daughter had this a couple of weeks ago before i had heard of the outbreak. I called 111 as very unlike her, she was fine but glad i had her checked out.

LittleBear21 · 03/12/2022 22:22

I'm an otherwise fit and well 35 year old with no underlying conditions/vulnerabilities. I'm currently sat in hospital (day 8) with Strep A Pneumonia. I've been on round the clock IV antibiotics for 7 days noe and currently have a chest drain fitted for the fluid on my lung.

It took a week from me first displaying cold symptoms to being in so much pain I contacted 111. Every doctor who has seen me can't quite keep the concern at just how strong my infection is from their face.

If in doubt, don't wait. This infection is not messing around.

EUwannabe · 03/12/2022 22:23

Yes OP. Definitely. I can see spots on his throat too. Better as a precaution that he has them. I’ve just spoken to an online private Gp who was very good and prescribed something for me there and then via text. It was £29. Well worth it if you don’t get any joy from 111.

berksandbeyond · 03/12/2022 22:23

CheesenCrackersmm · 03/12/2022 22:17

Children are dying. You can be as pissy as you like but if my child gets unwell I will be doing whatever I need to do. And if that means a&e? I'll do it. I don't care

How is that relevant to a thead where the OP has only mentioned a fever and a sore throat?

If everybody packed out a&e for that then a damn sight more people would die because the NHS would be overrun.

Because there are news articles about how the child was dancing on Friday, sore throat on Saturday and on a ventilator on Monday?

Up to you what you do with your kid but I won't be taking any chances with mine

DrMadelineMaxwell · 03/12/2022 22:26

Gosh. I had scarletina/scarlet fever as a child and recall my mum talking about me being unwell and hallucinating, but I had no idea it could be that dangerous until now.

jamira · 03/12/2022 22:27

Dandelionsinthegarden · 03/12/2022 18:19

Please don't call 111 unless your child is actually unwell. If they have a fever and a sore throat but otherwise OK then you can manage with self care until the GP is open, could be all manner of things! All you are going to do is put strain on the out of hours services when people really need it due to hysteria. A&E for an unhealthy looking tongue seriously? Please apply some common sense before potentially clogging up the services, they're under enough strain as it is and they have some seriously sick people to deal with. And it's not the person at 111 who thinks you need the out of hours, it's the system referring you there on the balance of risk.

Ordinarily maybe but not now given the strep situation!!!

Lougle · 03/12/2022 22:29

"So far this season there have been 5 recorded deaths within 7 days of an iGAS diagnosis in children under 10 in England. During the last high season for Group A Strep infection (2017 to 2018) there were 4 deaths in children under 10 in the equivalent period."

UKSA update

Whilst alarming, the number of deaths is only 1 higher than the same period in 2017-2018.

itsjustnotok · 03/12/2022 22:30

@Ostryga the problem is some parents don’t use any common sense. The number of people who bring in kids to A&E with ‘severe’ pain then watch as their children run round the waiting room is unbelievable. If your child is really not themselves and struggling to drink etc then absolutely they should be seen. Unfortunately we seem to be in a ‘just I case’ situation. Yes it’s a balance, yes it’s a worry when they are unwell but not everything needs emergency treatment.

ofwarren · 03/12/2022 22:30

Lougle · 03/12/2022 22:29

"So far this season there have been 5 recorded deaths within 7 days of an iGAS diagnosis in children under 10 in England. During the last high season for Group A Strep infection (2017 to 2018) there were 4 deaths in children under 10 in the equivalent period."

UKSA update

Whilst alarming, the number of deaths is only 1 higher than the same period in 2017-2018.

There are 7 kids dead now

Shahira78 · 03/12/2022 22:33

EUwannabe · 03/12/2022 22:23

Yes OP. Definitely. I can see spots on his throat too. Better as a precaution that he has them. I’ve just spoken to an online private Gp who was very good and prescribed something for me there and then via text. It was £29. Well worth it if you don’t get any joy from 111.

I didnt know this was a thing? Do you have a link please? Thanks so much

HollaHolla · 03/12/2022 22:38

Thelnebriati · 03/12/2022 16:14

Just an aside but I really think its time they change the rules to let qualified pharmacists prescribe antibiotics.

They can. As long as they have the V300 qualification.

shard5 · 03/12/2022 22:43

Dd is the same since early hours of Friday. I'm waiting for a call back from out of hours.
The lady who answered my call said they're really busy as there's loads of children with the same symptoms so no idea how long it'll be before a clinician calls.
It's not a normal fever with dd, normally she'd be up and about between bouts of high temp but this has really knocked her for six. She's dizzy, Shakey and temps only staying down for around 90minutes before it starts climbing again plus she's complaining of sore throat and neck pain.
Can't give her nurofen as it causes stomach ache

jamira · 03/12/2022 22:46

The gov advice stresses vigilance and the page linked here says parents shld trust own judgment so I think the point stands - seek medical advice if you're concerned!!

shard5 · 03/12/2022 22:46

Last night she thought the light in the hallway was swinging, I know it's the fever talking but it is a little alarming

Claireshh · 03/12/2022 22:48

My 13 year old had repeated Strep A infections in Year 1. She was initially diagnosed with oral thrush. Within hours a white coating had gone from her tongue leaving a strawberry tongue (bright red with marks like strawberries) she then developed a very high fever and rough rash. We were told it was scarletina and she was prescribed a ten day course of antibiotics.

She got better and then fell ill again. Our GP swabbed her throat. Lab confirmed Strep A.

ANP2020 · 03/12/2022 22:52

strep A bacteria can cause a red bumpy rash…Scarlett fever as per the nhs website and all the news reports. So they are right to be looking for a rash as per the current advice. It’s not just strep throat it’s also IGAs that are increasing.

been and done it. · 03/12/2022 22:53

Hotchocfudgecake · 03/12/2022 10:23

My 2yr old has similar, sore throat, fever, muscle aches, very lethargic and sleepy. 111 have said he needs to be seen and we are just about to head out to the a&e we’ve been told to go to.

How's your child ? What did they say? Hope they're okay.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 03/12/2022 23:02

Strep a home test kits completely sold out everywhere i can see - anyone know where i can get some?

DoubleShotEspresso · 03/12/2022 23:03

Thelnebriati · 03/12/2022 16:14

Just an aside but I really think its time they change the rules to let qualified pharmacists prescribe antibiotics.

YES!!!

HollyJollyNovember · 03/12/2022 23:04

@shard5 I'd say to take her to a&e if she is that unwell x

Cece92 · 03/12/2022 23:15

I only heard about strep A outbreak today. My daughter was so poorly last week I have never seen her so unwell. My GP wanted to see her, and when she got there her temp was high and her throat was bad, she was aching and very very tired. She barely drank for 2 days and never ate for 5 days. She was also given a throat spray too. They said it was a throat infection but now I'm wondering if it was. It's really really worrying :( I hope your DC gets better soon. Trust your mum instinct xx

Coooosd · 03/12/2022 23:27

Dandelionsinthegarden · 03/12/2022 18:19

Please don't call 111 unless your child is actually unwell. If they have a fever and a sore throat but otherwise OK then you can manage with self care until the GP is open, could be all manner of things! All you are going to do is put strain on the out of hours services when people really need it due to hysteria. A&E for an unhealthy looking tongue seriously? Please apply some common sense before potentially clogging up the services, they're under enough strain as it is and they have some seriously sick people to deal with. And it's not the person at 111 who thinks you need the out of hours, it's the system referring you there on the balance of risk.

That's pretty easy to type out when it's not your child that's ill and you have no idea what illness they have.

No parent wants to risk missing something serious.

I would much rather a&e be clogged up with mildly sick children than drunk or drugged up people who usually fill up a&e