Any medics around? Suspected Scarlet Fever but no antibiotics?

[pofacedandproud]

Ds came down with temperature and very sore throat last Monday. By Wednesday he had a pimply rash all over his torso and on his cheeks. Took him to gp who said it could be Scarlet Fever and took a swab. He is now well in himself though tired but has not been at school as they wanted the swab result first. Swab results say 'no significant growth' and doc says it could have been a mild case of Scarlet Fever but as he's well not antibiotics are not necessary. I'm worried about the complication of Rheumatic Fever if not treated with antibiotics. He still has the pimply rash though it is slightly improved. Any advice please? Really don't know what to do.

I have now seen that he had red face, white top lip, and sore throat. I would give the pennicillan -- esp since it has come back. If you give it and it wasn't necessary it isn't much harm done. If you don't give it and it is SF (and I now think it sounds like it is) then DS could really suffer needlessly. The thing is, you don't want to give half a course. Give all of it or none of it.

Thanks Athene. It does sound like it and I suspect the gp who initially saw him may say the same thing as you tomorrow. But seems odd when he had a negative swab.

He also had bad breath which gp said was another indicator last week.

You say his skin is flaky, is it peeling????

How long has he had fever?

And it isn't the skin of his hands and feet which is flaky is it ?

No it isn't the skin on his hands and feet. It is where the rash is/was. It is flaky and dry, so I thought that it might be peeling. I am really struggling to know what to do. His face looked just like a picture of a face with Scarlet Fever I saw on Medline or something [but I'm not a doctor obviously] and the first gp did say it looked like Scarlet Fever. But negative swab. Today very swollen glands, temperature and sore throat. And opinion on whether to give the antibiotics Darrell?

He had the fever Monday Tuesday Wednesday of last week and then today at 7 am he woke up with a fever again.

his neck is terribly painful and glands very swollen [sorry to go on]

lots of unidentifiable viruses cause these scarlet fever,scarletina rashes. They come out on the skin as part of the body's defense mechanisms when they get raised temps. They disappear as quickly as they came.

it could also be glandular fever...how old is he?

Good that not hands/feet peeling and also good that a week between fevers as likely 2 different infections rather than the same thing which is all around a little more reassuring.
It isn't clear cut what to do re the antibiotics so I would be guided by those who saw your DS.
Good luck with it all

It didn't disappear that quickly - it is still there but fading. He is 5. My younger dd has had a few viral rashes before, and they have been a bit different, not so pimply, and have faded quickly. Is glandular fever quite rare in that age group? Still agonising over whether to start anti-bs tonight.

he has also scratched at it a bit, and some of the pimples now have pin prick scabs.

bump

yes gladular fever is rarer in that age group but not unheard ofwww.amm.co.uk/files/factsabout/fa_glandf.htm

thanks alypaly. I find it difficult to believe it is just two separate viruses when both have been swollen glands, sore throat and fever and no other cold or cough symptoms. Wish I knew what to do with regards to anti-bs. Will try to get hold of original doc who saw him tomorrow.

po - I think you will struggle to find a medic around who has actually seem a modern case of rheumatic fever. It is exposure to the bacteria in the first place rather than the presentation of the ilness that gives rise to the rheumatic fever.
Given your concerns why not just give the antibiotics - if no allergy generally no problem.

ok thanks pardon. yes i understand about the rheumatic fever, just wondering about anti-bs. He's gone to sleep so if don't hear from doc in morning will start them I suppose.

So today original doc called me and told me she couldn't get a very good swab as he struggled [dh took him] so it might have been a false negative so to give him the anti-bs. Great. Now I'm worried that he has started them too late, it is the ten days since he first got ill. He has started them today. I know rheumatic fever is only a small possibility but still worried now that the anti-bs have been taken too late to prevent it.

both mine had scarlet fever

ds had the antibiotics late and was fine. Both were very ill with it though and you could really tell it was scarlet fever (both bright red, both had the sandpaper skin then peeling and had 40C+ temperatures in the beginning). There was a known outbreak in our area.

I believe the antibs are given as a precaution as much as anything else. Ds found them totally vile and I had to really bribe them both to take the whole course!

if the doc says give them, give them i would say. It's not often they push antibs on little ones (well my GP certainly doesn't)

thanks foxinsocks. Yes I've started giving them now but worried it is too late. I wish they'd told me to give them earlier. How long after the illness started did your dss have the antibiotics fox? Apparently if it is within 9 days it is ok, but ds is now on the 10th day.

bump

the skin on his hands has started to peel.

have you started the tablets?

yes this morning. But I'm worried it is too late. I feel terrible.