Could this be COVID? Did your child have these symptoms?

[pizzatoday]

My DS got a rash around a week and a half ago. Spread all over his trunk it's everywhere. It was red at first and like of sandpapery and now has faded into circular blobs and looks flaky. No pain and only slightly itchy.

Last night he had a headache and today is feeling really nauseous.

Any ideas what it could be? Is it COVID? Should I call Dr?

No idea if covid but yes, call GP now or 111 if in UK. Rashes on children should always be checked.

He's 11.

I'll call them.

Yes, according to the Zoe app a rash should be the 4th main symptom covid.joinzoe.com/post/skin-rash-covid

Also the main symptoms in children during the first 7 days are headache, fatigue and fever (fever often is very short lived)

Gastro symptoms are one of the distinct 6 clusters of covid covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-clusters

The rash sounds typical for scarlet fever OP. Did he have a sore throat or temperature alongside or before the rash? A sore tongue?

The headache and nausea could be related to the rash or could be something new, there's really no way of knowing. Although they're not the classic three symptoms, you might be able to get him tested for Covid. See what the GP says.

Has he knowingly been in contact with Covid? Cases as his school?

Rashes are a common symptom of covid, I forget what types of rashes though. So could be, but id be more concerned about it being something else. Best to contact your GP.

Waiting for callback from GP.

His temperature is all over the place.

39.5
37.4
39.0
37.6

All within half an hour.

I'm worried.

It worries me that the rash all but disappeared but now it's back.

No cases the past month in his school that I know of. His sister is a close contact of someone who was sent home as a close contact on Thursday. Quite a few in her year had to isolate but not DD. No one in house has any symptoms.

Book a test to be sure, but this sounds very similar to how my son was when he had scarlet fever in January. He is also 11....and i do now wonder if it was covid!

It sounds scarlet fevery to me but good to get checked. The problem is that if it's scarlet fever he needs it to be swabbed and treated with antibiotics as it's also a noticeable disease.

Headache and nausea are both signs of COVID

Also keep an eye that its not mis-c the post covid thing.
As thats rash temps abdominal stuff

When my DS had scarlet fever the nurse said a sandpaper, rough rash is the tell tale sign

Unless he has terrible luck and had a dose of scarlet fever or something else and now Covid.

I'd phone 111 or your Gp for advice.

The sand paper description and now flaky does sound like scarlet fever, especially with a sore throat - did he have that? It does need antibiotics if so. It's basically strep throat.

So his temperature went to 40.6 and GP still hadn't phoned back so I phoned them.

Gave him Calpol but it only takes it down to 38 - 38.5.

GP sent ambulance to rule out meningitis. They checked him and said it's not a meningitis rash. Offered to take him to be checked by a Dr but he got really upset and refused to go in the ambulance. So they said don't hesitate to call another if feel he really needs to be seen.

COVID test hopefully coming tomorrow. I don't drive so it's only option other than walk in which is an hour's walk.

I feel like a terrible mum that I couldn't get him to go to the hospital.

I have anxiety anyway and I'm so worried about him.

Hand hold would be much appreciated.

No sore throat. He did have swollen glands but no other symptoms back in July and then in September.

Most things I look up, the rash starts after the fever, but his rash started 10 days ago and was nearly better then went up again yesterday and the fever started this morning.

Does his tongue look like a strawberry??

No his tongue is normal

Hand holding, this must be worrying for you. Do you have Ibu as well? You could give that alternating with calpol. Some times I've found that more effective than calpol.

Keep him hydrated as much as possible.

Is he breathless or chesty?

The strawberry tongue thing can be very fleeting in scarlet fever. I'd have expected the temp at the same time as you say, and a sore throat. (My kids have had it 3 times.)

Is his dad there or have you got another adult you can ring for (virtual) support OP?

I tried to post a message with pics of the rash but it didn't load.

He's not breathless or chesty.

His dad isn't here we are separated. I called my sister.

How is his temp? Did the ambulance guys check his blood pressure and other observations?

Pics

@Cinderellashoes

His temperature is hovering around 38. He had Calpol at 2pm. The highest it got was 40.6, and he was really lethargic and shivery when it was that high.

They checked his temp, looked at the rash, checked his oxygen levels which were apparently low at first try but 96% on second try. Pulse 94. Blood pressure 96/60-something.

Should I give more Calpol before he goes to bed in a minute??

That looks like the rash I got with Covid. Book him a test and keep him at home.

Not unless temperature is over 38- up to that it’s helpful to kill viruses. Check his temperature through the night and give more if needed. Avoid ibuprofen in case it’s covid. Keep him hydrated and fed (if he feels able to eat). The rash looks viral/ non specific. Could be anything.

My DS had a very similar rash in the summer plus a temp. His covid test was negative. The GP looked at this photo and said it was just a bad viral rash. Fingers crossed your DS has just picked up another virus