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Children's health

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Is it scarlet fever / strep?

17 replies

Holdingoutforholidays · 23/03/2025 20:36

Hi my 5 year is quite poorly. He has a sandpaper like rash on his back early last week and no other symptoms. On Friday morning he came into bed beside me and vomited. He seemed completely fine that day bar a very high temp (no more vomiting). He woke up on Saturday with another high temp but in great form. By midday he started looking very ropey and his temp was creeping up again. I checked him other and his tongue had strawberry tongue signs. So putting two and two together - sandpaper rash, high temp, strawberry tongue and vomiting I wanted someone to look at him so we brought him into our local a&e. He rapidly went downhill when we were there, became quite listless, temp shot up and he vomited. They weren’t the most helpful as were fixated on his temp going down before they had a doctor look at him. He was in there for 4 hours before that happened. The doctor checked his glands, ears, looked in throat etc. she said the throat looked ok but took a swab. In the meanwhile she’s given him antibiotics. He slept beside me last night and spent the night groaning in his sleep. He woke up at 5am and vomited again and then three more times this morning. He’s been tired and seems v ropey then perks up and then is ropey again. It’s weird as it’s blatantly not a stomach bug as there are large gaps between him vomiting. I’m mildly freaking out as I haven’t seen him this ill for a few years. Has anyone had this type of bug before? We are also really struggling to get the antibiotics, we tried them are they taste rancid so can see why he’s resisting but very aware we must get it into him. Just hoping they are missing anything else at the hospital as this is definitely a level of sickness we haven’t seen for a long time. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
KittenPause · 23/03/2025 21:00

You can go back to A&E at any time you want if you feel concerned

don’t be afraid to

OtterMummy2024 · 24/03/2025 20:24

Can you disguise the taste of the antibiotics with yoghurt or ice cream?

As PP said, you can go back to A&E or try your out of hours GP if concerned.

TomatoSandwiches · 24/03/2025 20:28

Take him back tonight, up and down temperature is what my son had with Strep A, the first course of antibiotics didn't work and he needed them by IV for 6 weeks.l, it turned into endocarditis, but can also turn into sepsis very quickly, don't wait.

Can't believe they haven't got back to about the swab, that would only take 24hrs to show up something.

Holdingoutforholidays · 24/03/2025 20:50

Thanks for this. I’m so sorry to hear this happened, that’s just awful.

His temperature has gone mostly today but he was very sleepy/ low energy today which was freaking me out as he’s an ants in his pants rocket normally. He drank a fair bit of fluids tonight and have nibbled at various meals we’ve put infront of him. He wanted to eat a banana before bed tonight.

The paediatrician who looked at his throat on Saturdays and said it was a bit red but couldn’t see any white bits etc. we still haven’t had the swab results back.

Other than a temperature what were the other symptoms?

if he wakes up lethargic tomorrow I’m bringing him back in. My husband thought that the fact his temp has gone and he is eating, drinking, peeing plus taking his antibiotics is good.

what do you think?

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 24/03/2025 21:00

My son wouldn't eat anything and was struggling to drink also, he had chapped lips and really lethargic.
Hopefully if he is taking the antibiotics it will do the trick, but never feel like you can't take him back to A&E, I would chase for that swab information in the morning.

Holdingoutforholidays · 24/03/2025 21:27

Thanks for this. Yes I’ll call in the morning for sure and if he wakes up in the morning lethargic again I will bring him back in. Really appreciate your advice. Thanks

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 24/03/2025 21:31

Holdingoutforholidays · 24/03/2025 21:27

Thanks for this. Yes I’ll call in the morning for sure and if he wakes up in the morning lethargic again I will bring him back in. Really appreciate your advice. Thanks

No problem and I really do hope he feels a lot better tomorrow.

Holdingoutforholidays · 24/03/2025 21:34

Thanks for this, I will for sure if we need too. So hard to know sometimes.

OP posts:
Holdingoutforholidays · 24/03/2025 21:35

Thanks so much, he decided after two days of wild resistance to just hold his nose and take it tonight, such relief.

OP posts:
GoodStuffAnnie · 24/03/2025 21:37

Have you looked up Kawasaki’s disease?

it comes this time of year. Is a virus that has v specific symptoms. Sandpaper rash high temp red eyes peeling skin chapped lips. But all the symptoms don’t come at once they can come at different times. When my son had it he had never been so poorly. So listless.

GoodStuffAnnie · 24/03/2025 21:37

If you have any doubts go in. Doesn’t matter.

Holdingoutforholidays · 25/03/2025 10:18

Thanks guys. I had a GP app And she thinks he’s ok. Will keep a watchful eye. Thanks for all your messages.

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Holdingoutforholidays · 25/03/2025 22:11

Hey does anyone know if antibiotics make young ones vomit? My son was much much better today, dancing about, eating more, playing. I felt a huge sign of relief. I just went in to check him before going to bed and he was awake as he’d vomited again. He’s probably vomited once a day now since Friday. This bug isn’t making sense. The gp today checked him over - throat fine, no rash, tongue more normal etc etc. he came out asking for a donut. I can’t understand after a huge improvement in every way hea just vomited again?

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Cuppaandbiscuit1 · 26/03/2025 11:15

My son has always been sick when he’s had strep. It normally goes away once the antibiotics kicks in though. Antibiotics can cause sickness too though. Did they give you a ten day course?

Holdingoutforholidays · 26/03/2025 14:20

Thanks, it’s a 5 day course atm. He’s been on it since Saturday. No more sickness today but very tired and grumpy. Had him back in to the GP once again and they didn’t really offer up anything new as all his obs normal enough. Frustrating that he seemed so well yesterday and then tired/poorly again today. Unless it’s day 6 of barely eating kicking in now energy wise. Still no strep result back.

OP posts:
Holdingoutforholidays · 27/03/2025 16:28

Hi again, sorry to message lots about this. We finally got his result back and it is strep a. Waited 6 days for it. He seemed a lot better last night and went into school today. The dr have given him a prescription for another 5 days of antibiotics. Is there anything else I should be looking out for? He was sick again on Tues night and poorly yesterday morning but perked up yesterday and today. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Cuppaandbiscuit1 · 27/03/2025 18:23

i would just continue with the antibiotics and hopefully he will make a full recovery. If the sickness gets worse or any new symptoms go back to the doctors.

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