DS has fever and sore throat - strep A?

[Badgerandfox227]

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?

This is what my DD’s tonsils looked like when she has Strep A earlier this year. Her throat was really sore though.

God it's really hard as a parent when you read all these stories of unusal cases of illnesses. You don't know what to do for the best.

I am surprised at the amount of people saying that white spots on the throat mean antibiotics are needed. Every time I get a sore throat that's what my throat looks like. I don't think I've ever had antibiotics. It does clear without them very often. But sometimes the infection becomes really bad. I know someone who was hospitalised with severe tonsillitis as couldn't swallow water and ended up dehydrated.

It's often hard to tell how bad it is with little ones.

White spots on throat doesn’t necessarily mean it’s strep A or needs antibiotics. But it does indicate there’s a reasonable chance it is strep an and generally the dr will prescribe the antibiotics without waiting for the swab results, because they want to prevent progression.

Irrelevant, I know, but I'm just reading my DGM's diary from 1927. DM (aged 3) had a temperature of 104 deg f. Very sore throat. They were out in the bush, 26 miles on horseback from the nearest town, 2 miles of that down a stream bed. I can't imagine how I would cope with that. Thinking of you young mums with your ill little ones, and hoping you find a solution very quickly.

Eeep! Just checked, and that's 40 deg c.!

@Dandelionsinthegarden my DD doesn't just have an unusual looking tongue! She has been so lethargic at points today she hasn't been interested in anything. I can't remember when she last saw a GP (she's 4) so I wouldn't contact one unless I was genuinely worried. Anyway, I called 111 over 13 hours ago and haven't heard anything, so will see how she is in the morning.

Keep an eye on it OP, I've been scouring the internet wondering if I'm going mad with DD who's had a sore throat, mild body aches and just generally seemingly teary and tired for a couple of days now. I'm not sure if my DD has it but within 2 hours of last checking, her temp went from 36.5 to 39 and more symptoms alongside it.

Anyway, whilst looking I found a pic on Twitter of someone who was turned away from the GP after being advised it was viral and it later turned out to be Strep A. I imagine GPs, A&E and 111 are inundated but if you as a parent are still concerned, please take your DC in to be checked over. Better safe than sorry.

The nhs website says see a doctor if you have white pus spots on your tonsils.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/

The UK medicine supply chain has been really fucked up by Brexit, this is a real issue.

This might be a helpful read.

www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/02/uk-parents-told-to-look-out-for-signs-of-strep-a-in-their-children-after-six-deaths

I work with schools and know that by the end of last week we had five children in ITU.

5 children in your schools in ITU?

My daughter has a sore throat and strained breathing this morning. She is asthmatic.
we have tried to call 111 in wales and it says there is a 45 minute wait and they cannot guarantee any help as they have outages.
not helpful when there is a childrens health issue going on.

You can get strep A tests over the counter in pharmacies in Wales.
Maybe try and get one while you are waiting?

We called 111 over 24h ago. Promised a six hour cal back. Have heard nothing! Service is so over stretched.

Same, rang at 4.30pm last night, not had a call back yet! Thankfully she seems to have settled a little overnight but she's still not herself.

Hope you ladies waiting to hear from a GP get seen today. I once had to wait 24 hours for a call back. Such worrying times.

My DS is 8 and has been off school since Monday. I hadn't been aware of the strep A issue. He had bright pink cheeks, very sore throat and almost lost his voice and a very high temperature. He was very shaky on his feet too and his temperature only came down on Friday. He still has a cough but alot better. (not covid) I managed it with calpol/brufen and was prepared to take him to the GP if his temperature lasted more than 5 days. it didnt and he is recovering.

People need to be extra vigilant and keep an eye on any unusual symptoms and speak to the GP or 111 if concernec

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

Of course sick children should be given more priority over drunk idiots. But if every midly sick child was taken to a&e then the ones that are actually seriously ill might not get seen in time.

Yes be vigilent but please try and use some common sense.

@Neverplayleapfrogwithmrpipes We had to do it online, the queue over the phone in the early hours was 1 and a half hours before we gave up (reason we hadn't done it online initially was that the questions did not fit the symptoms to show a real picture) but estimated time had been 20 minutes! We were called within an hour and told to go to A&E.

No strep tests though?!

Yes, I work across a large local authority and with a neighbouring one.

Gosh, how worrying

Just an update, have taken DS to see GP as he has a rash on his face now and temp spiked again. GP said seen quite a few kids already today and DS tonsils are biggest he’s seen. Gave him a thorough check and said doesn’t think it’s Strep as no white on tonsils and just to keep monitoring and medicating at home. GP said right to have bought him as lots of cases this year. I know lots of people have had issues with 111 and GP, but this time we’ve had a good experience with them both.

This is the link to one of the children who sadly died of strep a recently but whose symptoms was a cough.
I used to work in nhs and so agree on one hand using resources appropriately, but I am also a mum and have experience of delayed treatment (various things) but actually my teen last autumn had bacterial tonsillitis which now I presume was strep A, and anti-biotics were delayed (went by symptoms over phone initially with photo pics, not ideal ). One anti-b didn't work so eventually swabbed throat and different anti b that worked.
It's like we parents have to be experts ourselves - so v v v v hard to get the balance between caution and going straight nhs for advice . Take care everyone

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63853197

Sorry - here's the linl

Terrifying because that could easily have been my child this week.
He had a dreadful cough and couldn't sleep. I gave him antihistamines and hoped he'd be better in the morning. Thankfully he was.
That poor, poor girl.