Chances of contracting Scarlet Fever from known case

[SouthwarkSwish]

Feel like it's Covid times asking questions like this!

My DC sits next to someone at primary school who has had SF confirmed today. I know it's highly contagious, but also know it's definitely not inevitable...but is it a high chance? Were meant to be away this weekend and with vulnerable relatives so not sure what to do for the best.

Would I be unreasonable to cancel plans, or is that OTT? It's the vulnerable relative I'm worried about most.

Given that several children have died from it, I'd say there is a fair risk that your child may catch it and pass it on to your vulnerable loved ones. Incubation period for most illnesses is 2-4 days so exactly when you'll be away...

No idea on the stats. But my ds had strep a 3 weeks ago, wasn't given enough antibiotics so it came back again, and his baby sister hasn't caught it yet. They do not practice good hygiene between themselves now she's 10 months either! It's rife in their nursery though.

@MagnoliatheMagnificent , thanks...that's what I'm thinking to be honest so thanks for confirming my thoughts.

Covid has made me question what is OTT and what isn't...such a sad state of affairs

My DDs had it from an unknown source a few years ago (my best guess is from the airport/plane as that was a few days before). They had it a week apart. Oddly, they passed it on to no one at school!

I'd talk to your relatives and let them decide tbh. I

My 11 year old has it at the moment and he’s been feeling very unwell. His sibling doesn’t have it but feels unwell so is off school too and I will keep her off until I know she does nest have it for sure as I definitely don’t want her getting it and bringing it into her class and to teachers . That’s not fair on anyone

I think with vulnerable relatives I'd not be visiting them with a cold let alone scarlett fever.

With vulnerable relatives, I’d put the visit off (or st least tell them and let them decide).

But DC doesn't have SF (yet at least!)...just been in close contact

Ok

I would keep them home. You don’t want to risk infecting anyone

It’s weird like Covid. Some people who lick someone with SF don’t get it. My child got it when he was 3 or 4 in a school which had had 1 confirmed case of scarlet fever. That child was not in his class. No idea how he actually got it.
but it’s really scary. His fever went up to 41 and I was about to call an ambulance and then his temperature practically broke in front of my eyes…… we had stripped him naked and wiped him with damp cloths and watched the thermometer mercury go down minute by minute to 39 and it stayed there for another day.

I wouldn’t risk it personally. Explain your DC has been in close contact with a case of scarlet fever so you’re staying home and monitoring him.

My info is 40 years old but when my DBro had SF in 1982 the hospital ( he had it bad ) advised my parents to keep me off school and away from vulnerable people for 7days. Luckily I didn't have it.

I'd still go as long as the relatives were happy. She's not ill, she won't necessarily get it and in adults it generally causes a sore throat if anything. I'll no doubt get flamed but I think we've put too much of our life on hold.

However if relatives are worried then fair enough, I would postpone.

My DD has just had it and sibling didn’t get it, however she was on antibiotics for something else so that could have seen it off. She got it at nursery and I’m aware of 4 other cases, one before her and the rest after, and she was only in one day she could have been infectious. It’s hard to say isn’t it.