Scarlet fever?

[Bellapup]

I’ve just posted about tiny spots on my 2 year old and after (admittedly silly) google searching I’m worried he could have scarlet fever. He’s asleep at the moment so I can’t really see his tongue but just wondered if it’s ok to leave him until the morning or is scarlet fever serious enough to wake him and seek treatment tonight? It may well be viral of course so reluctant to wake him when he’s been poorly!! Thank you

My son had scarlet fever two weeks ago. He was unwell a day or two before he had the rash, complaining of a sore throat, had a temp over 38-39 and generally not himself. The day the rash appeared he had been very restless and had a sore throat, temp and was lethargic. Has your child been unwell? The rash will feel like sand paper. You need to have antibiotics for 10 days. If you think it's scarlet fever I would contact your out of hours gp for advice.

He had nasty temperature 39.2 all Tuesday night and was sick, very sleepy and temperature was up yesterday and not himself, generally snotty and off. No temperature today but won’t eat or drink and very grumpy and slept for 2.5 hrs nap which is unusual. He’s had red cheeks for weeks now which come & go but very noticeable tonight. His rash is all over his back and tummy but it isn’t red it’s more like goose bumps, does feel rough. No temperature at the moment though

I'd ring your out of hours gp for advice then. Sounds very similar to my son. The rash appeared on my sons legs and back first, looked like heat rash to me to start but then it spread all over his body. Hope he's okay!

Scarlet fever is a strain of streptococcus so has similar symptoms to tonsillitis except the rash is VERY pronounced. The swollen “strawberry” tongue is another prominent symptoms. It’s treated with antibiotics.

Red cheeks could also be slap check /parvovirus.

Rashes are pretty common when children are unwell - does it blanch?

It’s not red enough to blanch, skin coloured but very rough feeling and all over. I’ve just tried to check his tongue but it seems he’s a teeth clencher when asleep and I can’t get near it!! 🙈

I wouldn't wake him..sleep is the best healer

I would think tomorrow will be ok if he’s sleeping. My DS often gets a rash at the tail end of a virus.
He has also had Scarlet Fever and my DD too. Ds had a reasonable rash but not as red as I was expecting. It was more rough than normal rashes but not really like sandpaper. He wasn’t particularly poorly.

DD had it last month. Swollen glands, big sore tonsils and a viral rash on chest and back. I spoke to docs a few times and we had a ten day course of antibiotics.

Doctor said "People get so worked up about scarlet fever when it's basically tonsillitis with a rash." I felt this was a little uncalled for as any rash is a concern but it was the most poorly she'd ever been. Couldn't get temp down even with paracetamol and ibuprofen.

So don't panic but yes to docs I think to get antibiotics. We were told no nursery until the temp had completely gone.