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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Strep A in school

145 replies

EUwannabe · 08/12/2022 15:30

So- I’m not on either side of the fence on this at all but would love to know what others would do. AIBU to keep my primary child off school now a Step A case has been confirmed in the school? X

OP posts:
Xmassprout · 08/12/2022 22:48

2 confirmed cases at my children's nursery but my children have gone in as normal. Can't keep them in a bubble. They do lots of activities with other children, am I supposed to just cancel everything and coop us all up inside to live in fear?

EasterIssland · 08/12/2022 23:00

BooksAreSaferThanPeople · 08/12/2022 22:45

Do you always need antibiotics for a strep infection?

I'm asking because DD had an awful sore throat last week, didn't eat for two days, tonsils were swollen, but other than that she was fine in herself so I assumed it was viral, but now I'm wondering.

They’ll not always give you medicines for the tonsils I believe

Mamai90 · 08/12/2022 23:00

Personally I would keep my child off. But on the flip side I KNOW I am probably BU. My head tells me that the risk is very small, the news is totally scaring the shit out of parents - probably unnecessarily so, and keeping children off school isn't the answer as there's a possibility that this is being caused by social mixing after all the lockdowns. But my heart would be gripped with a fear that would over ride my pragmatic side and I'd be keeping her off school.

Bluekerfuffle · 08/12/2022 23:16

@Smearywindowsagain , thanks. I’m wondering if it can’t be detected, how do they know anyone has it, or do they just go by symptoms.

Bluekerfuffle · 08/12/2022 23:25

EasterIssland · 08/12/2022 22:45

From bbc

The UKHSA says the last time there was a significant number of cases was in the 2017/18 season, when there were 27 deaths in children under 18 and 328 adult deaths in England.

don’t remember this amount of media and worry few years ago

In a Daily Mail article today it said the rate this year is two and a half times higher than 2017/2018, so maybe it’s higher than it’s ever been this year and that’s why they are reporting it.

EllaPaella · 08/12/2022 23:31

My 8 year old has been diagnosed with strep A infection today. He has had a throat swab.
He was very unwell with a very high temperature but after 5 doses of antibiotics (so far) he is doing very well, amazing actually how quickly he is bouncing back.
Our problem was having got antibiotic's prescribed we found that several local pharmacies did not have any penicillin in stock so we had to do a lot if running around and multiple phone calls to source it. This is what really concerns me, it's not an unusual antibiotic.

drkpl · 08/12/2022 23:34

Two of my son’s nursery friends have confirmed strep a. They’re ok. I saw one out and about with his mum by the pharmacy, he looked fine. Step a is dangerous if not treated. Nursery/school is running as usual. I don’t feel concerned.

MadameMackenzie · 09/12/2022 09:06

Mamai90 · 08/12/2022 23:00

Personally I would keep my child off. But on the flip side I KNOW I am probably BU. My head tells me that the risk is very small, the news is totally scaring the shit out of parents - probably unnecessarily so, and keeping children off school isn't the answer as there's a possibility that this is being caused by social mixing after all the lockdowns. But my heart would be gripped with a fear that would over ride my pragmatic side and I'd be keeping her off school.

To be fair, if the media didn't report on it, a lot of parents would dismiss it as their child just having their annual cold & sore throat that they all seem to get. They wouldn't seek treatment and ultimately those children could very likely then progress onto Sepsis and pass away

MadameMackenzie · 09/12/2022 09:13

drkpl · 08/12/2022 23:34

Two of my son’s nursery friends have confirmed strep a. They’re ok. I saw one out and about with his mum by the pharmacy, he looked fine. Step a is dangerous if not treated. Nursery/school is running as usual. I don’t feel concerned.

Bloody hell that's appalling. They absolutely shouldn't be taking that child out! There could very likely be people (inc. kids) with suppressed immune systems in a pharmacy and anywhere else they go.
I'm a widowed parent so I get that sometimes they must come with you but when I don't have childcare & my DC is sick, I've called the pharmacy and arranged for them to bring meds outside

Velvian · 09/12/2022 09:14

We've had emails from both DC's school saying that they have some cases. My feeling is that it is probably always present in school in winter, but there is testing at the moment and extra vigilance. I'm not worried about it and DS has a slightly weakened immune system and gets slightly more colds and viruses than DD.

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 09/12/2022 09:41

Bluekerfuffle · 08/12/2022 23:25

In a Daily Mail article today it said the rate this year is two and a half times higher than 2017/2018, so maybe it’s higher than it’s ever been this year and that’s why they are reporting it.

Show quote history

I would say that's similar to why our covid infections were much higher than most countries. We are now looking out for it so GP are testing for it more. A mild case of strep with a sore throat and a mild temperature would just be treated at home before but because of the panic parents are rushing to the GP for an official diagnosis. Therefore the number of cases seem much higher.

boobot1 · 09/12/2022 10:12

EasterIssland · 08/12/2022 22:45

From bbc

The UKHSA says the last time there was a significant number of cases was in the 2017/18 season, when there were 27 deaths in children under 18 and 328 adult deaths in England.

don’t remember this amount of media and worry few years ago

Yes, people and the media have lost their minds since Covid.

spidereggs · 09/12/2022 12:44

@EasterIssland I understand once antibiotics kick in, but one dose and steroid for chest and straight into nursery? I can't agree that's ok

iknowhimsowell · 09/12/2022 12:55

EllaPaella · 08/12/2022 23:31

My 8 year old has been diagnosed with strep A infection today. He has had a throat swab.
He was very unwell with a very high temperature but after 5 doses of antibiotics (so far) he is doing very well, amazing actually how quickly he is bouncing back.
Our problem was having got antibiotic's prescribed we found that several local pharmacies did not have any penicillin in stock so we had to do a lot if running around and multiple phone calls to source it. This is what really concerns me, it's not an unusual antibiotic.

Completely agree, wouldn't be concerned if I thought I could get antibiotics easily to treat it. But lots of children are still going to get it and not be able to get antibiotics at this rate. My daughter's class now has a third of them on antibiotics, so I'm just waiting for it to hit us as it's clearly highly infectious. Does anyone know if scarlet fever always needs to be treated with antibiotics (I know it's advised) but can it also clear up without?

iknowhimsowell · 09/12/2022 13:00

And also, the stupid government insisting there isn't a shortage when clearly there is - I don't know what their definition is, but needing them and not being able to get them is a shortage in my book (and GPs and pharmacies are saying the same.) I feel if they don't have enough antibiotics to treat all the cases it's actually a very serious situation. I don't know if other schools/areas have been hit as badly as ours though.

Smearywindowsagain · 09/12/2022 13:11

@iknowhimsowell this is the worry isn’t it. I had to get my husband to leave work on Monday because I couldn’t get the antibiotics locally to go further afield. It shouldn’t be like that for bog standard antibiotics.

containsnuts · 09/12/2022 13:22

Certainly no hysteria here. DC7 on penicillin for tonsillitis. GP never mentioned anything about what could be causing it just treated like any other tonsillitis in normal year. I assume it's probably either staph or strep which is usually the case.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 09/12/2022 13:32

cherriegarcia · 08/12/2022 16:30

If your child was stood in a crowd of 100,000 people and you knew 2 or 3 of them were going to be killed, would you leave them there?

I know that sounds dramatic and there is risk in life generally etc. But if those are the stats then I probably wouldn't send mine in.

Show quote history

It sounds dramatic because it is dramatic. Ridiculously so. Because not every child who gets an iGAS infection dies. If they did, I would no longer be a mum of two.

nothingleftttt · 09/12/2022 14:50

A school in our area has closed early. Should have been open till 22nd closed till 9th Jan now

User963 · 09/12/2022 15:53

iknowhimsowell · 09/12/2022 12:55

Completely agree, wouldn't be concerned if I thought I could get antibiotics easily to treat it. But lots of children are still going to get it and not be able to get antibiotics at this rate. My daughter's class now has a third of them on antibiotics, so I'm just waiting for it to hit us as it's clearly highly infectious. Does anyone know if scarlet fever always needs to be treated with antibiotics (I know it's advised) but can it also clear up without?

Show quote history

Scarlet fever can clear up without antibiotics but its advised as it reduces the rare risk of long-term heart and kidney complications.

Beebz · 09/12/2022 16:44

16 children have died now, shameful there's been no official press conference from Sunak about this.

Tulipvase · 09/12/2022 16:50

User963 · 09/12/2022 15:53

Scarlet fever can clear up without antibiotics but its advised as it reduces the rare risk of long-term heart and kidney complications.

Show quote history

In England you need 24 hours of ABs before you can return to school. Otherwise it’s 10 days.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 09/12/2022 17:01

Beebz · 09/12/2022 16:44

16 children have died now, shameful there's been no official press conference from Sunak about this.

What would an official press conference achieve? At the moment it isn't clear why there's been a rise in cases and deaths this year so what could they say in a press conference that would make things better? Do you think the country is ready to hear what government health officials have to say again? Children and adults die every year from Strep A infections. There are more this year than there have been in the past but I don't know what you think a press conference would achieve.

Ansumpasty · 09/12/2022 17:37

The more they report it, the more people will (quite rightly) panic and the worse the penicillin shortage will get. This will obviously lead to delayed treatment and loss of lives.

I wish the media hadn’t announced it as parents take their poorly children to the doctors anyway. Health professionals being aware is surely sufficient.

Starrystarrylights · 09/12/2022 17:50

Ansumpasty · 09/12/2022 17:37

The more they report it, the more people will (quite rightly) panic and the worse the penicillin shortage will get. This will obviously lead to delayed treatment and loss of lives.

I wish the media hadn’t announced it as parents take their poorly children to the doctors anyway. Health professionals being aware is surely sufficient.

Parents are encouraged to assume it's a virus and manage at home. Those who try to take their children to be seen often can't. They need to be vigilant and be aware that this is not a time to avoid bothering the doctor. Otherwise parents will be deterred from seeking help for an illness for which early intervention is crucial. I should have thought it was bleeding obvious.