Does my toddler have scarlet fever?

[abi2790]

Ds has been off nursery since Tuesday with a high fever and general illness and I thought he was getting better today but around 5pm his temperature starting going back up and he was getting upset so I put him in the bath to calm him down when I noticed he has a rough pink rash all over his tummy and back. He won't let me have a good look at it because he says it's sore. He's not been eating and barely drinking and has a white tongue. He also wouldn't let me touch his head to wash his hair whilst in the bath so I'm thinking he has a bad headache. I'm worrying about him because he never seems poorly when he's been sick in the past but the past couple of days he's not been himself at all and now seems to be getting worse has anybody had any experience of this or any advice? thanks

This is scarlet fever

Poor thing, it sounds like he's feeling rubbish. I think you sound quite concerned so if I were you I'd call 111 and ask their advice.

Sorry posted too soon. I have no experience of scarlet fever but I believe it needs treating with antibiotics.

Hi, my DD had scarlet fever when she was 3. Sounds very similar, I remember phoning NHS direct as I was worried about meningitis (she was generally not well, slight rash, said it hurt to look at the light, very lethargic, neck pain). They sent an ambulance (terrifying!) but immediately ruled that out and said they though it was some kind of virus. A few days later she was worse and the GP said tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics, a few days later again she was still so poorly and the inside of her mouth was spotty and her gums were bleeding, she wouldn't eat anything and the only thing she'd drink was pink milk! Took 5 days of antibiotics and then she was right as rain. Obviously get it checked by the doctors though, so many illnesses present in such a similar way. Her main symptoms were lethargy and the awful pain in her mouth. Hope your little one feels better soon.

We're in the middle of antibiotic treatment for scarlet fever. Dd started with a headache, then a sore throat. We kept her off school because she wasn't quite right in the morning, by lunch she had a temp of 39.6. Dosed with calpol/ibuprofen on a 4 hour rota. WHen she woke in the morning her face was very very red across the cheeks and bridge of nose with whiter circles around the eyes. She had a fine red rash across her body that was raised and felt like sandpaper.
We went to the doctors who confirmed that it was tonsillitis and looked like scarlet fever was developing. That was a week ago and she is a lot better now.
Hope that helps, good luck.

Thanks guys. I am tempted to phone nhs direct but I feel like I'm overreacting and can just get him an appointment in the morning. Although if he wakes up again upset I may phone them.

gonnagle I've just noticed that he's got red cheeks. He does have a fever though and his cheeks are very warm.

Sounds just like ours. Have a look at his tonsils.
I'd get an appointment first thing. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck.

How is your DS today OP?

My DD had scarlet fever a few months ago. The nurse looked at her tongue which she said was a tale tell sign. It was very pink/red, like she'd been eating a red lolly. Google image scarlet fever tongue and see what you think.

My two had it last year with high temperature and then the rash - the picture above us not what it looked like for my DD's, they had a fine, sandpaper type rash. However when I subsequently got it, my godgod, it looked like the picture above, and then some! It was grim and I felt awful!