Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Any MN had a little one with Scarlet Fever?

28 replies

bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 08:21

My DS (3yrs 2mnths) was a bit clingy on Sunday and didnt eat much, then again yeterday and was saying his head hurt and his 'pipes' in his neck. By lunch time the few red spots on his neck had spread to his body.

I took him to doctors and she said its a virus possible scarlet fever. She prescribed a 10 day course of antibiotics and told to keep him away from other children until the rash has gone.

I have read up on a couple of sites and one said there is a mild form, the others seem to make out it is quite rare. So I was just wondering if many of you have seen this?

Also is this related to Rubella as his MMR jabs were all done and up to date.

OP posts:
chuckeyegg · 10/03/2009 09:01

My DS had something similar we thought it was a post viral rash in the end because he felt much better when the rash appeared. I wonder why she gave you antibiotics I thought they were weren't used in viral infections. I don't think it has any to do the MMR.

H xx

HecatesTwopenceworth · 10/03/2009 09:03

Nope, but I had it when I was a kid, so did my sister. Not too bad and no problems. It is quite rare these days I think.

Don't think it's related to jabs, because they used to stick people in isolation when they had it - a hundred years ago! - no mmr then.

LilyBolero · 10/03/2009 09:04

ABs are correct for scarlet fever.

Hope he's better soon.

LilyBolero · 10/03/2009 09:05

Scarlet Fever

chuckeyegg · 10/03/2009 09:10

Thank LilyBolero that's interesting so it's not a viral infection. I love mumsnet you can learn so much.

xx

JJ · 10/03/2009 09:13

Yes, my son had it - it's a form of Strep A and easily sortable with abs. It's very contagious though, so do keep him away from other kids. Not related to rubella.

Hope you have some movies in and manage a decent week.

psychomum5 · 10/03/2009 09:16

my DD3 had it when she was small. IIRC (she has had a lot of nasty bugs, so I may be off in my timing), she was 3.6/4yrs old.

she was very poorly, and was admitted to hospital for 10days, but she has an immune prob anyway meaning she gets anything worse than an NT child.

oe thing that they failed to warn me about tho is that around 4wks post illness, hands and feet peel. something to do with skin shedding the last of the bacteria.

it did take her a good while to recover from it, and when she was in, the docs tested all my other children as they had had two families being admitted with all of them suffereing in the past. luckily, altho my others did come down with strep throat, they were nowhere near as bad as DD3.

scrambledhead · 10/03/2009 09:21

My DS1 had scarletina (mild scarlet fever)aged 4. It was diagnosed straight away by the sore throat and strawberry tongue. He had antibiotics and got better very quickly. He was the only one at nursery who had it so I've no idea how he caught it and how he managed not to pass it on.

It is unusual and notifiable.

BCNS · 10/03/2009 09:37

DD had scarletina when she was about a year old.
antibiotics and stay away from other children. Although neither of the ds's caught it from her.
cleared up no problem and as said above I have no idea how she caught it!

Bucharest · 10/03/2009 09:44

We had it last year- the tongue was the key! (I'd been thinking dd just had yoghurt or something gunked on her tongue and had been scrubbing it with a brillo pad- sort of)
(bad mummy emoticon)
The fever went after about 2 days and she was fighting fit within another 2.
DD was also only one in nursery with it.

AMumInScotland · 10/03/2009 10:14

Another one here - my DS had it when he was 3. It's one of those things which is easily treated with anti-biotics, but used to be far more serious and can have complications if not treated, so it's important to see the doc and find out if that's what it is.

It's just the same bacteria as causes some nasty sore throats - so lots of people come into contact with the bug but only get a sore throat. It's only if it gets further into your system that you get scarlet fever (scarlatina) from it.

Original poster
bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 10:15

Thanks very much - he has woke up since I posted and he seems ok if a bit quiet. He has the rash still.

It was rather a fumbled visit to docs where ive come away unsure of what exactly is wrong as she definately said - it could be viral but seen as you've brought him in soo quick it could be scarlet fever. I was a bit suprised about antibiotics as he has never been presrcibed these ever - always 'its a virus, give him calpol'

So I may ring work and inform them that I wont be in, better ring nursery.

I must say it is not too bad a rash so maybe mild form.

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 10/03/2009 10:30

my LO had this.relatively common got Anti-Biotics,cleared up.viral infection

not related to mmr

hope you DS recovers.Are you ok- bit stressful,too

noddyholder · 10/03/2009 10:32

It definitely needs anti biotics as strep can have effects once the illness has gone so best to take them x

ScottishMummy · 10/03/2009 10:35

in this case you need the anti-biotics to treat the streptococcus bacteria

Original poster
bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 11:09

Yes he's had is first dose of the day!

I have rung work - got a bit upset as I have no choice but to take today and friday off and my DH is away.

I have no family nr by and when I said to person at work that my only other option was to drive DS over 200 miles to my Mums and I said that I didnt feel this was appropriate they promptly responded with a work related person - this person is known for being clipped but I am so fed up of working for such an impersonal, uncaring organisation.

OP posts:
Original poster
bigcometobedeyes · 10/03/2009 11:11

work related question

OP posts:
ScottishMummy · 10/03/2009 11:16

do you get carers day's from work or is ds illness counted as AL?

chuckeyegg · 10/03/2009 12:12

Where I work you get a number of days special leave and then you have to take unpaid. Don't know if every employer is the same or not.

Original poster
bigcometobedeyes · 11/03/2009 22:11

Thanks again - bloomin heck by the end of yesterday he was bouncing off walls loads of energy seemingly not ill at all.

But the doctor said thatwhile he has the rash he is contagious. Took him out today and did some lovely stuff together - he was quiet and calmer and went to bed no bother.

I feel guilty being off with him, he has also regained a full apeptite and ate lots today.

OP posts:
chuckeyegg · 13/03/2009 08:06

That's great, glad he's feeling better.

BoffinMum · 14/03/2009 10:39

I had this as a kid and remember it vividly.

My skin peeled off afterwards (just the top layer! Like after sunburn) so don't be concerned if this starts to happen.

Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa · 14/03/2009 10:53

I had this about 4 years ago!

I started with Strep throat, then my face went, um scarlet and swelled up. My tongue did as well.

My doctor had to look it up, as it was the first case she'd ever seen in RL! No-one else I knew had it beforehand or caught it from me.

Ooh it did make me feel special. And BoffinMum my skin peeled afterwards [eeewwww emoticon].

BoffinMum · 14/03/2009 12:14

In a sick sort of way (possibly TMI now) I rather enjoyed peeling the sheets of skin off and seeing how big I could get the pieces!!

My GP told me it's always scarletina now (a milder mutation), and scarlet fever (the nasty form that could kill you) has died out in Europe.

You can tell if someone has it because their face is bright red apart from noticeably white patches round their nose and mouth. Hence the name of the disease.

Original poster
bigcometobedeyes · 14/03/2009 16:34

Thanks all, funney business it is, as he only seemed quite unwell last SUN/MON he wasnt eating and was flushed and complained of being sore.

He has been well in himself and has had plenty of energy and appetite picked up but as he has still had rash he hasnt been able to go to nursery and I ve had to cancel a play date and avoid taking hime to the usual softplay n groups - hence visit to feed the ducks (no one else there! still isolated) and a visit to a playground - empty luckily.

So ill but not ill. I have read though that he must ensure it is out os system and take all meds as it can come back in a few weeks time and be more serious.

He been cute though - 'my pipes aren't hurting mummy' (throat) and every morning he has asked 'have I still got the spots on?'

OP posts: