Scarlet Fever - and child who can't take antibiotics

[Emr81]

Hi Everyone, hoping I could get some advice, please?

My 5 year old DS can't take antibiotics as he's allergic to them (he's due to have some testing in March to find a type he can take without having a reaction).

It's just come to our knowledge that there's scarlet fever going around at his school and we're pretty worried that if he catches it, there isn't anything (we know of yet) he can take to help fight it off. We're thinking of keeping him home from school tomorrow and getting advice from our GP (though he won't be available until Tuesday).

Just wondering if anyone else has been in this kind of situation and how understanding are schools on this in general? I'm also thinking to call the school and try to have a meeting with them to discuss and see how we can make sure he's still learning from home this week.

Thanks in advance!

p.s. sorry but I posted this in the "parents" section another and realised it was probably best suited to this one

Antibiotics aren't actually needed for scarlett fever. They only reduce the contagious period.

Sf will come and go, so I wouldn't think days off are needed, as likelihood is lo has already been exposed.

Mine didn't have antibiotics for scarlet fever, and in fact were hardly ill at all except for a very distinctive rash. If I hadn't known scarlet fever was going round, I don't think I'd have thought they were ill.

The GP told me that they think scarlet fever has evolved to be less dangerous than when it was a dreaded disease.

I wouldn't keep him off for this.

Whereas antibiotics aren’t always needed and scarlet fever can be mild it can also be serious and need antibiotics so you are right to be concerned. DD was mild and quick, DS needed it antibiotics

Please keep your child off school and seek actual medical help. My nephew caught Scarlet Fever and ended up in the high dependency unit at a children’s hospital. It can lead to quite serious complications, and though rare I wouldn’t take any chances.

Iv antibiotics sorry due to a rapid deterioration and non blanching rash. It is easily treatable but only with antibiotics

Speak to school and GP

It depends on the child's own immune systems ability to fight SF how badly they get it. So as you're not psychic I would err on the side of caution.

Allergic to all antibiotics? Or just one?

Id deffo chat to school. It’s their job to provide education in a safe place. As this could potentially put your child at risk, they will support your decision until you have spoken to your GP.
Your child’s teacher can, I’m sure, email some work out. We do the same often for my DD

Hope it goes well

Thanks everyone for the advice. My DS is allergic to amoxicillin and clarithromycin (that we know of). He's going to do a week long tolerence test for cefalexin in March.

I called the school to explain that I'm keeping him off at least until I can speak with our GP. They were a bit iffy to begin with, giving standard line "If your son isn't sick then he should be in school". After I explained more about the situation they were more understanding, I also asked to get a call back from the TA who is also their health and safety person at school, she deals with the kids who have asthma and allergies and any accidents that happen on school property. We have a pretty good relationship with her already as she was my sons TA last year so I'm hoping she will back us up too.

At the end of the day, I feel it would be negligent of me to send him in and I've told them I'm more than happy to collect homework for him and bring it back throughout the week.