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Original poster

Positive Strep A / Scarler Fever stories please

47 replies

WorriedMumZZ · 06/12/2022 18:54

My son (3) has started antibiotics today for suspected strep A. He has done a throat swab which we’re awaiting results for but doctor has started him on antibiotics this morning.

I struggle with anxiety and I’m driving myself insane with the latest news. Please can I have some positive stories of children who have had it and been ok?

pic of his ‘strawberry tongue’ that made me make the appointment. He’s not too bad in himself at the moment.

Positive Strep A / Scarler Fever stories please
OP posts:
Fordian · 06/12/2022 18:55

I got scarlet fever aged 8 in 1970. I survived.

grapehyacinthisactuallyblue · 06/12/2022 18:59

My ds had it when he was around 4, he has multiple health issues. He was hospitalised, but now a relatively healthy teen apart from his chronic illness.

Hoppinggreen · 06/12/2022 18:59

DS had it when he was 3 and was hardly ill at all.
Hes a huge very healthy 14 year old now

Lovemusic33 · 06/12/2022 19:03

Did had it years ago when she was 3, she was I’ll for 2 weeks before a gp agreed it was strep A (when she finally came out in the rash and had a strawberry tongue), she recovered pretty quickly once she got antibiotics.

How2Support · 06/12/2022 19:04

Yes here - friends child just had it. Made a great recovery once antibiotics kicked in.

shivbo2014 · 06/12/2022 19:05

My daughter has had scarlet fever twice over the last 3 years. She was poorly when she had it but got over it quickly with antibiotics.

Abccde · 06/12/2022 19:05

My youngest has had it twice (not tested though). He's not been particularly bad either time. Although it did seem to take a while for the actual infection to go. So definitely make sure you finish the dose of antibiotics. 2nd time we needed to get him a 2nd line antibiotic but again he wasn't that ill, but there was signs infection was lingering.

My eldest possibly had it at the same time as DS 1st time. She had a bit of a sore throat and slight rash.

But hopefully the fact you have got the antibiotics means that your child will be fine.

maskersanonymous · 06/12/2022 19:05

My daughter had it aged around 3. We didn't realise it was actually Scarlet Fever until she got better! She didn't need antibiotics. No ill effects.

handmademitlove · 06/12/2022 19:06

My DD had it twice. Both times it was picked up quickly, treated with antibiotics and no issues. It is like most childhood illnesses - mostly mild but on rare occasions it can be much more serious. None of the children we know who have had it have had any complications - they are rare.

MithrilCostsMore · 06/12/2022 19:07

I had it as a kid. Am fine. My god daughter has had it, ended up in hospital for a night but recovered quickly once antibiotics kicked in.

JennyForeigner · 06/12/2022 19:07

We have a 3 year old, also started on antibiotics today for strep. We were lucky to see a very experienced (usually retired tbh) GP partner and have doctors in the family.

They all said that strep responds incredibly well to antibiotics and to expect a rapid turnaround - within a few hours even. We were told that we could relax once the first doses of antibiotic were inside him (getting medicine he didn't like into him is another story).

My dad said it's always a million cases a year type of numbers. What is different now is that the numbers are above their usual high rates even because of covid shutdowns and how much pressure the NHS is under.

We all need to get better at spotting deterioration - but if your little boy already has his penicillin he'll be absolutely fine.

grumpytoddler1 · 06/12/2022 19:07

DS has just had it and was absolutely fine. Not ill in the slightest and still his usual bouncy self. Most of his class also had it and most of them were fine too.

JennyForeigner · 06/12/2022 19:14

A doctor relative just emailed in response to my asking when/if we ought to worry about our other kids, who are not on antibiotics, and I thought it might be helpful to share.

They said it does move fast in the rare cases when serious, and so to seek help quickly in cases of a temperature consistently above 38, lethargy, vomiting etc.

As said above, your little boy should be fine, but we will temperature check our other children regularly and hopefully use that as a bit of a guide.

FatEaredFuck · 06/12/2022 19:15

My son had it a few years ago aged 3 or 4. He was absolutely fine and the doctor wasn't even worried. His strawberry tongue was also much more clear than your pic. Having been through that has made me feel much less anxious about the latest scare stories - we're all so hypersensitive after the pandemic years Flowers

I know in your shoes I would have been completely panicking, but all was well and he's been treated in good time.

scrivette · 06/12/2022 19:20

5 children in DC's class had/have it. They are peeking up once the antibiotics kick in although it's taking about a week to fully recover.

CloseYourMouthLynn · 06/12/2022 19:29

My daughter (4) had it in the summer and was fine after antibiotics. She then got chicken pox! Hope he gets better soon.

Mandatorymongoose · 06/12/2022 19:29

DS (9) had it earlier this year, he was absolutely fine with antibiotics, he had a really high temp but it came down well once meds kicked in.

diamondpony80 · 06/12/2022 19:30

I had scarlet fever a couple of times in the eighties. Probably between the ages of about 5 and 8. I don't remember being particularly sick, but I definitely did go to the doctor and got antibiotics. I don't think I was bedridden or anything. Just temperature and rash.

bumblenbean · 06/12/2022 19:32

What I’m worried about is how to differentiate it from usual cold/ virus type thing, especially as they can deteriorate quickly. DS 5 has a temp today and I wouldn’t normally give it another thought but now I’m slightly freaking ‘what if it’s step and I don’t know…?’

I guess just keep an eye out for a sore throat/ tongue and rash but I do feel ridiculously hyper vigilant - not great for those of us with anxiety, esp all the scare stories about being turned away.

hope your little one recovers quickly OP! Flowers

Itstarts · 06/12/2022 19:34

If your DS is 3, he's quite likely had strep A infections before. So have you. And everyone you've ever met. Strep A is INCREDIBLY common and causes a variety of common childhood illnesses like scarlet fever and tonsillitis. Pretty much everybody will catch a Strep A infection multiple times in their life.

RNBrie · 06/12/2022 19:36

My dd had scarlet fever when she was 3. She was pretty poorly but antibiotics sorted her out pretty quickly.

LucySno · 06/12/2022 19:37

My friend's 10yo and 5yo both had scarlet fever last week. Both fine

BergamotandLime · 06/12/2022 19:40

DD had it a few years ago after just having recovered from sepsis. She had HFM, Strep A and scarlet fever at the same time. Had antibiotics but it worked and she was fine.

SoManyCreepyBears · 06/12/2022 19:43

DD (5) has it now. She was really poorly last week with a high temperature but no other symptoms. She seemed absolutely fine then came out in the rash- which is when I went to the gp. She’s on antibiotics now as a precaution but has sent the day roller-skating around the house and disco dancing.

AnnaBegins · 06/12/2022 19:45

DS's whole class (pretty much) had scarlet fever last year, all were fine in a week with antibiotics. I thought it was one of those Victorian illness things but the GP said it's pretty common and not serious in kids.