Hand foot and mouth or strep throat?

[bebski]

Hi my 5 year old has had an intermittent low grade fever for 9 days now (comes down with calpol), she has also been very pale, lethargic, off her food and has a lingering cough.

She had a few red dots in her mouth about 5 days ago which cleared.

Today she has a mouthful of red spots, same previous symptoms listed together with a petechiae type rash on part of her back and torso. No complaints of sore throat.

Took her to the GP this afternoon and mentioned Strep throat doing the rounds in her class, symptoms seem the same but doc is adamant it’s hand foot and mouth. There’s no blisters on her hands, feet or anywhere else for that matter and the ones in her mouth don’t look like blisters at all.

I’m thinking the fact it’s getting worse rather than better is surely a sign it’s bacterial.

any advice please? Should I push for a second opinion?

x

Have you done the glass test?

Yeah the petechiae spots don’t fade - the gp saw and pressed on the rash and did the same but didn’t seem remotely alarmed…

the doctor didn’t check her temp, blood pressure, chest or ears so I’m concerned she wasn’t thorough and I should call back

I'd definitely get a second opinion.
Whenever mine have had fevers for 6+ days they often prescribe antibiotics anyway to shift whatever it is. I'd be concerned they didn't check ears/chest too - I'd want a thorough examination and second opinion especially if strep A has been going around in your child's class as it needs a certain type of antibiotic I think.