child in dds class has scarlet fever - how likely is it that she'll get it?

[IHeartKingThistle]

I'm looking online and it says very contagious - anyone got any anecdotal evidence for me? More worried about Ds getting it tbh as he's covered in eczema already :(

Try not to worry. If they catch it just get the antibiotics, it is not as scary a disease as it used to be. With antibiotics there is little to worry about. Without antibiotics there are risks of complications, hence why it is a notifiable disease.

My DS had it and it wasn't too bad (anecdotal: hope others gave the same experience!). It was less upsetting than chicken pox because the antibiotics made him feel better extremely quickly (from groaning on the sofa looking v unwell and refusing to drink because his throat was so sore, to running around playing within 24 hrs.)

I read that it stops being contagious very quickly after antibiotic treatment starts. It's a bug ubiquitous in the environment, and only seems to strike when the person is otherwise run down (if I remember right).

DD attended a birthday party where the host child had SF, had been diagnosed about 24 hours earlier IIRC. The birthday boy mum had been told he would no longer be contagious already. I don't think anybody came down ill afterwards.

That's reassuring, thankyou both

Two of mine had it but my youngest never caught it from them.

It's nowhere near as serious a disease as it used to be (and which you might easily believe it to be if you're a fan of Victorian literature). Not only does it seem to have become milder (it's essentially a sore throat plus rash), it responds to ABs.

Same virus can present as Strep throat which is very contagious until AB's have been administered for 24 hours.

we caught it a few years back from my then 6 year old, myself , my husband and my 9 week old all came down with it on the same day ( xmas day!!) felt fine after 12 hours starting the antibiotics.

I think D and V bugs are worse to be honest, in terms of feeling ill!