Confused about scarlet fever

[Lcw29]

Was told Thursday that my ds who is 2 has possible scarlet fever. He has red cheeks, snotty, cough and a rash on tummy that was raised angry and rough. However the rash faded and disappeared the day after.

Yesterday a rash appeared again on his torso and bottom but was very flat and faint. Its gone again this morning. He's had explosive poos for a week but is fine in himself. Cough has got worse but again seems happy enough.

I haven't been able to get any antibiotics. I've searched 10 pharmacies on the advice of 111 but no luck.

Does anyone have experience with similar symptoms? Posting here as I put it in the wrong section before .

My other son has had diarrhoea for 9 days but no other symptoms other than cough. Doctors were useless. Not sure if related

I slso have a sore tongue oh joys

My 3 year old was similar but had a bad throat for about a week first which was so painful he was not eating. He did not however have a temperature and was happy playing and doing usual activities.

After a week he developed a sandpapery rash on his body (not red at at) and a small red rash around his mouth although this seemed to come and go. I tbink his tongue then swelled a bit and he became dribbly.

We saw a doctor last weekend who said probable scarlet fever and put him on antibiotics. I am wondering if it is a lot milder in those under 4 as I rhink babies as born with some existing immunity to it.

I hope your LO makes a swift recovery, it is worrying when you cant get access to antibiotics. Are there any tablets available? We are crushing them and adding them to food or mixing with juice as the solution is not available here.

So far no ones even offered an alternative. I'm calling up tomorrow again. The rash seems to appear more as the day goes on. This is it on his back tonight . He's also scratched and scabbed over on his bottom.

Have an appointment tonight for a second opinion as they are now unsure. 7:40 pm. Not ideal but it's something. His face is very red today. 🙄

Does you surgery do e consult? I would get him seen with that rash

@Reindear unfortunately our surgery has been a nightmare . The rash has gone from his back now but has a slight rough patch on each of his legs. So odd
at least he's chirpy. Will update when I see the gp

That rash looks a bit like DS's when he had scarlet fever. Check his tongue for strawberry tongue and also look at the back of this throat / roof of mouth for red petchiae. Also swollen lymph nodes in throat/ behind ears. The rash does spread from one bit of the body to the next so your description sounds about right. Tends to start on torso and then spreads to arms and legs.

If the rash feels like sand paper then I’d say it is, but my DD was diagnose on her strawberry tongue

Thanks everyone. He refuses to open his mouth. Being awkward lol but I will try and see. His legs do feel a bit rough .

@Wheretheskyisblue my dd was exact same as that a couple of weeks ago. The sandpaper rash is still there but when I did a telephone appointment with the dr they said it sounded viral and to give calpol.

She's fine in herself, no temp and eating normally again.

The strawberry tongue is the real classic symptom which means its pretty likely to be scarlet fever so if you can manage to look in his mouth... It took a few days to develop with DS though.
@user58202018484482910ugog19293843910 I think a sandpaper rash is also classic scarlet fever so not sure why they said viral.
I think they are obssessed with sore throat but when DS had scarlet fever his throat was fine.

@User963 the rash is still there, only in a small patch but there was a patch on her face. Her tongue looked ok but her throat was sore. Very snotty, tired but still happy to take part in activities.

getting a GP appointment in my area is very difficult.

I think that is the main reason cases are now so high as opposed to any other reason. People have struggled to get a GP appointment so antibiotics not prescribed. It then spreads and I assume it is a bit like covid as in you get exponential growth as it is so contagious. Not sure if bacteria have R rates though (ie how many people one person infects). Where once a school/ nursery might have had the odd case which was quickly treated with antibiotics there are now more likely to be several cases and no antibiotics so more children are then infected.

He has got scarlet fever. Doctor tonight was lovely. Been prescribed different antibiotics but will have to get them tomorrow.