Scarlet Fever/Strep A - When is it an emergency?

[DammitOedipus]

DS(2.5) was given antibiotics for Strep A today. He has a fever of 40.1, strawberry tongue, and red lips. He isn't eating and is drinking less than usual, but is still weeing.

I am a worrier and am definitely in panic mode because he seems to have become worse in the last 2 hours (falling asleep on DH which he hasn't done since 5 months old) and refusing Calpol, but his fever is the same as when he saw the GP. He seems drowsy, but chats without becoming confused and still requested bedtime stories and songs. He is now asleep in bed.

I will be checking on him every hour or so, but at what point should I call 111 or go to A&E?

The usual advice is when the fever won’t come down with bufen or paracetamol. I find bufen better at getting fever down. Have you tried that?

Sorry, should clarify that I am alternating Calpol and Nurofen and have been for 3 days.

Poor him, poor you. 😔 How many doses of antibiotics did he get today? I think you should see marked difference after 24 hours on the abx and phone again if not. Unless he deteriorates and you feel he needs seen before that.

I asked the GP exactly this - when should I worry? DS is the same age but has it very mild. GP said when he’s clearly not himself, if he gets worse or is unusually lethargic.

Trust parental instinct and give 111 a call if you’re concerned.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/ here is the nhs information.

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Has the medicine brought the fever down?

I would call 111.

Call 111 if he's worsens follow your gut and go A&E trust yourself you know him. Hope he recovers quickly xxx

Fever is still going strong, but he varies between normal and lethargic. I just checked on him and upon opening the door was greeted with "shall we go downstairs and check the advent?" It astounds me that at 40.1⁰C, he wants to check for chocolate!

Call 111 if you are concerned, especially if you feel he is getting worse and the fever is not coming down. Hope he feels better soon xx

As others have said, if the fever isn't coming down with medicine then I would be calling 111 for advice. Are you going to stay in bed with him tonight op? I wouldn't be able to leave them alone even if you're planning to check every hour

How many doses of antibiotics has he had? If it's not coming down with calpol I'd be at AE. It can go bad so fast.

Get her checked out, I would say that's strawberry tongue from the pics I've seen online

I would say that's a strawberry tongue. This was my DS's this morning, but his lips have now gone red. I'm not staying in his room as I have a 5-week-old and I need to be caring for him as well. DH is supporting where possible, but works so most is currently on me.

Hi OP, I would be taking him to a and e. I have a little one same age and was told anything 39C and above need to be watched for fever seizures when medication has been given and no improvement on temp coming down. My son wasn't allowed home until it went under 38C and he had tonsillitis. I was told if it went to 39C with medication I had to bring him straight back. Not to scare you but little ones can turn so quickly.
I hope he gets better quickly bless him.

@Beepbeepenergy

You can see your dcs school badge. Just incase you wanted to ask mn to delete and repost a cropped photo.

Thanks @Itstarts

What antibiotics has everyone's child been given?

It's either penicillin or amoxicillin. It's down to what the pharmacist can get ahold of mostly as there's a shortage. None of it is particularly reassuring! The NHS needs to start swabbing more.

amp.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/07/strep-a-uk-pharmacists-report-antibiotics-shortages

DS is on Phenoxymethyl Penicillin. It's a bugger getting him to take it.

Just asking because my 15yr old with brittle asthma woke up unwell on Wednesday. He does have a bad asthma flare up once a month always needing steroids but never antibiotics. But he still eats (non stop) and is his normal self. He has asd and hardly sleeps, just doesn't need more than five hours.

But he hasn't eaten since Wednesday, it slowly got worse yesterday. He was sick in the night Wednesday and by yesterday he had a fever of 40 despite regular paracetamol (can't have ibuprofen). He also dozed on and off, feels weak and head hurt. Husband took him to the gp who prescribed amoxicillin and steroids. She didn't even look in his throat she said he has a very bad fever. He woke in the night delirious and his tongue is now looking like it has the telltale spots. Just relieved the gp prescribed antibiotics. Unsure if I should phone the gp about his tongue?

@Sodie He's on antibiotics, so I'd leave it a few days unless he deteriorates further. But that's just me.

@DammitOedipus how is he doing OP? And you?