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Poorly son. I'm feeling so anxious

28 replies

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 06:05

My DS is 7. As a little background I had a call from school on Thursday to say he'd swallowed a teeny piece of sponge from a football. But, was fine (I won't bore you with the whys and how's 🙄). I left him at school but called after lunch to check on him and he was still OK. Friday morning he woke up with a temperature and abdominal pain. My mind went into overdrive so I called 111. They advised me to take him to emergency care which I did.
After a thorough examination the nurse practitioner was satisfied that it was unrelated to him swallowing the sponge and to treat as a virus. Give calpol, nurofen and keep hydrated. I felt really, really stupid for over reacting.
Friday night he actually started with a slight rash on his torso. By yesterday evening it had spread to his face and neck. He has a really sore throat which also had spots on last night.
This morning he still has the rash. I've given him piriton as it's itchy. But, he's saying his lips feel big (swollen). They don't look especially so but are perhaps a little puffy. As are his eyes. His temperature is coming down with meds and he's bright in himself.

He often gets a viral rash when he's poorly so I know it will eventually clear up. But, I'm worried he actually has strep A. The rash is pinky and raised plus the spotty throat is concerning.
I'm also concerned it might be an allergy to the meds with him complaining about his lips.
The walk in centre opens at 7am so I'm thinking about taking him there.... or am I over reacting?
I am anxious and I really don't cope too well when my kids are ill. Any words of advice or reassurance would be appreciated.

OP posts:
Beautifulsunflowers · 19/11/2023 06:08

Definitely take him - he could be allergic to the medication which could explain the rash and swollen lips.

Londonnight · 19/11/2023 06:11

You are not over reacting. Take him to urgent care as soon as it opens.

Believeitornot · 19/11/2023 06:12

yes take him at 7am.

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 06:13

Thank you @Beautifulsunflowers I feel like im constantly doubting myself!

We had a rough time last Xmas where he was similar to this. Terrible hives like rash, temperature for which he was prescribed antibiotics for a none specific infection. This resulted in a trip to A&E, plus out of hours GP on Xmas eve. I really don't want to end up like that again.

OP posts:
MintJulia · 19/11/2023 06:17

If it has happened in the run up to two Christmases, is there a festive food that he only has at this time of year? Marzipan? Ginger? Crystallized fruit? Something like that?

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 06:18

Thank you all. His throat is still very spotty. And he just looks off. We'll get ready now so we can be there for 7 x

OP posts:
terraced · 19/11/2023 06:19

I'd take him.

DustyLee123 · 19/11/2023 06:22

If he’s had the Calpol/ibuprofen before without incident, I’d doubt it’s that. Is his neck swollen? Are his lymph glands up?

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 06:22

@MintJulia no, he's ASD so all his foods are more or less the same all year. Only difference this last few days is the use of calpol and nurofen. I did wonder about this last year but was reassured it was a response to infection.
But, this time it's more raised with defined spots.

OP posts:
Frownlines · 19/11/2023 06:23

@DustyLee123 it looks like he has an enlarged gland in his neck. His neck isn't swollen but it is covered in the rash

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 19/11/2023 06:26

Id expect his tongue to swell if it’s an allergy, so I wouldn’t worry about that, but sounds like he needs antibiotics. Hope you don’t have to wait too long.
Dont forget to take snacks and drinks.

scaredofff · 19/11/2023 06:28

I'd take him to get checked too

CeilingWacks · 19/11/2023 06:33

I think Strep A is very likely - defo take him in. But don't worry too much - it's treatable with just 10 days antibiotics. Make sure they don't give you the sugar free one if he's fussy (it's disgusting!) but you might have to drive around a bit to find somewhere with the full sugar version.

pbdr · 19/11/2023 06:42

It sounds like you might be describing Scarlet Fever. Is the rash rough/sandpapery in texture? If it is that then it can make kids feel pretty awful, but they usually pick up really quickly after starting antibiotics. Definitely take him in to be seen again

KateyCuckoo · 19/11/2023 06:47

Yes it's scarlet fever!

Lots of it going around at the moment. Have a look on NHS website.

familyissues12345 · 19/11/2023 08:38

Poor little love Sad

How have you got on OP?

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 08:44

Thank you so much for all replies. We've been seen by triage and have been put in an isolation room as they suspect scarlet fever!

Hopefully the wait won't be too long and in the meantime I'm trying not to Google complications!

OP posts:
CeilingWacks · 19/11/2023 08:47

Scarlet fever is just Strep A - sounds like you were right. He'll be feeling right as rain after 48 hrs antibiotics xx

Tessisme · 19/11/2023 08:50

Aw, wee soul. DS2 had scarlet fever a few years ago and I have to admit I panicked a fair bit! The antibiotics worked very quickly though. Hope he's feeling better soonFlowers

clarepetal · 19/11/2023 09:07

Oh bless him! Don't panic, he's in the right place. Hope he gets sorted soon xx

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 10:25

Definitely scarlet fever. 10 day course of antibiotics... I'm so glad I took him.

Thank you all for replying x

OP posts:
Frownlines · 19/11/2023 12:28

Just as an after thought. The doctor has said DS should stay home from school for 6 days. All other info says after 24 hours of starting antibiotics. Obviously if he has a fever or feels unwell I'll keep him off, just wondering as the advice is conflicting.

OP posts:
Slavica · 19/11/2023 12:59

@Frownlines , I'm glad you had him seen! Just to calm you down: I had it four times as a child, which is very rare. No lasting effects at all, each time the antibiotics did their job.
However, I stayed home for a week every time, as I was weak, had a fever, a sore throat and nausea. It is still probably the most physically uncomfortable illness I have had.
I hope your boy feels better very soon!

Frownlines · 19/11/2023 13:51

Thank you @Slavica. I'll definitely keep him home until he feels better - he's absolutely worn out.

Wow! Four times... that must've been horrible. Definitely reassures me x

OP posts:
Frownlines · 20/11/2023 18:34

Hi all parents experienced in scarlet fever.... my ds has been doing much better today. Temperature is normal, appetite is better and rash is less itchy. I've just given him a bath. But, the area across the tops of his thighs, groins and penis is bright red. It looks almost scalded. Should add - it was like this before getting in.
I'm on high alert for complications and was wondering if it's normal to be this red in one particular area when the rest of the rash is less red?

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