Scarlet Fever - could DD have it? How long contagious? Danger for asthmatic COPD sufferer?

[MmeLindt]

One of DD's friends hjas been diagnosed today with SF. She has been off school since Monday, sore throat since last week.

DD , 8 yo, had runny nose, sore throat, cough since yesterday. We were in town this morning and she seemed ok.

This afternoon she faded fast. Crawled on my knee and fell asleep 10 mins ago.

My parents are visiting tomorrow, for 2 week holiday. Dad has COPD and asthma.

Any advice? Is it likely that she has SF, considering she has not seen friend since Friday, and DD's symptoms did not start till yesterday?

the incubation period is 1-4 days according to the NHS website.

Damn. Could be SF then.

It starts with a realy high temp, then there's sometimes a headache, then a really bad sore throat. It's basically tonsilitis but caused by a streptococci infection (it's also called strep throat). He tongue may go pink but it's not always easy to spot as it can change back really quickly. Then there's a rash. The throat is sore throughout. If it's left then the skin starts to peel, the patient is at risk of it turning into rheumatic fever which can cause heart problems. You should take your daughter to the GP ASAP as she'll need 10 days worth of antibiotics.

I hope she's feeling better soon.

Ok, going to put her to bed. Assume I should give her a painkiller (ibuprofen) if she is in pain.

If she has a fever then start off with paracetamol, then you can give her some ibuprofen a few hours later. Have you checked her throat? The rash is normally pink by the way.

Don't think I have paracetamol at home at present. Have given her ibuprofen and will get paracetamol tomorrow.

She has red cheeks.

Both mine had scarlet fever - it is an absolute beast of an illness, and used to be this country's greatest child killer before antibiotics.

Mine remember the chronically sore throat. Get her to the docs asap and get her on the antibiotics. They will give her 10 days worth, and because it is a bacterial infection, the antibiotics will kill that bacteria with in 24 hours I believe ( but check that out ) If you have other children, ask what to do with them, but there are longer term implications if sf is left untreated.

It is really a GP thing

Ok. She is sleeping at the moment, will get her to the docs tomorrow.

How is she today? Mine were so unwell with scarlet fever, but the antibiotics were marvellous. Let us know..

Hope your dd is ok?

When my dd had sf she was sooo ill. She wasn't able to stay awake for longer than half an hour for 3 days and didn't touch her toys for even longer.

My dd had huuge swollen neck glands and a voice like minnie mouse for months. I had to help her sit up and turn over in bed because her neck hurt so much

Having said all that, no-one else we know caught it fom her neither do we know where she caught it.

It is an unusual and quite rare disease these days and is a notifiable disease as in you have to report it to the health authority. The GP or school does this for you.

She is a lot better today thanks. Looks like a false alarm. No rash, no fever, bit sniffly and coughing a bit but otherwise fine.

MmeLindt
I am so glad!
The moment I saw scarlet fever it made me go cold.. Hope she recovers quickly from whatever other bug it is.

That is good news

Hope you enjoy your parents' stay.