Please I need support

[pizzatoday]

My DS is ill.

He started with a rash all over his trunk 11/12 days ago ,(there are gaps but it's pretty extensive) but no other symptoms at all and rash had mostly faded.

Then on Sunday night he started with a headache when walking around or moving his eyes, and the rash came back up. It's a bit like ringworm but not, it's 'macropapular' and raised, like 'pityriasis rosea'. It's on shoulders, back, sides, stomach, neck, groin folds and a patch on one inner elbow.

Since Monday he's also had a fever and red eyes.

Tonight whilst preparing to do the COVID post test, I noticed a few red blood spots on his palate, and a few on his shoulders (I think where he's been scratching though it's not v itchy).

He's eating and drinking as normal, and alert enough. He's tired though. He's sleeping now.

Yesterday GP took 6 hours to call back then wouldn't see him, but sent an ambulance to check him yesterday around 4pm. They were happy with his obvs other than temp, but this was before the red blood spots happened (petechiae??).

I'm terrified. Absolutely terrified. My poor boy. I don't know what to do, or if it's COVID. The Dr mentioned COVID, scarlet fever. I'm scared of him being in hospital in case it's not COVID and because of his temp, he'll be in an area with other suspected COVID and could get it on top of whatever it is. I'm also scared it is COVID cause he seems to be quite badly reacting to it if it is.

I'm sorry if I sound pathetic, I'm just really really scared. I'm alone with DS (11) and my DD (14) who's supposed to be doing exams this week and now has to try stay mostly to her room away from DS. My family are supportive, but of course can't come near.

I'm not showing it to the DCs but I'm so scared for DS and terrified I make a wrong decision.

My

So sorry, that must be really scary for you

Can you ring 111 and mention the blood spots and ask advice?
If you needed to, is dd ok to be left while you get him to an out of hours or A&E?

Poor you! Is there no way you could go to a drive through test? And if they admitted him To Hosp would t they test first or isolate until they know if Covid first? Yes id call 111 aboutthebloodspots to put your mind at rest too xxxx big hugs for you x

You need to see a doctor. If it’s too difficult to get an appointment then go to A&E. Yes it’s a risk going to hospital but it’s less of a risk than not getting treatment for an obviously ill child.

Could be measles. Or any of the viral childhood illnesses really. Or scarlet fever as you said. If he’s alert and eating and drinking he shouldn’t need to be in hospital - give him regular calpol and keep his fluids up. It’s always frightening when they’re sick and you’re alone.

@jackstini I'm going to stay up all night and keep checking him for more blood spots. His temperature has actually been normal since 8pm for the first time since Monday morning (it was 39 - 40.6 on Monday morning, then been 38 - 38.5 since).

Yeah DD could be left, she's almost 15 and sensible.

@simonsays23 I don't know what they'd do. I'm really concerned in case it's not COVID he has, and they put him in the 'poss COVID' section and he could catch it on top of whatever this could be, cause whatever it is, it's not minor. He's pretty Ill with it.

I can't drive or I would've taken him to drive through. I ordered a home test yesterday morning, which arrived today 5pm so after last post. Helpline said to put in post tomorrow am and it'll be 48 hour wait. Argh. I also got an appointment for walk through tomorrow am, but it's over an hour walk each way, not sure if he's too ill for a 2 hour walk. Not allowed public transport or taxi.

He's had MMR vaccine for measles.

It's the little blood spots in back of throat and some on shoulders (although I do think the shoulders is where he scratched) that I'm worried about just treating at home, in case it turns serious.

Have you done the glass test for the rash? Does it disappear, if not you must go to hospital.

OP, please get this checked out. Call 111. It's too important not to.

The rash itself fades, the main rash itself the paramedics weren't concerned about. The tiny blood spots don't though. They are only on a tiny bit of the rash where he's scratched though (there are also scratch marks), and a few on his palate.

Glandular fever is another possibility. From the information you have given I would watch and wait. But I am not there looking at him, and honestly no one on the internet will be able to tell you what to do. You will need to go with your gut, if you think he needs to be seen.

Call 111. Depending on what they say, keep an eye on him overnight (as you plan to).
Any change, call 111 again.
Just because he's been seen once, does NOT mean he shouldn't be seen again if his condition worsens.
Same with calling 111- it is fine to make repeated calls if the situation warrants it.

And do the glass test as a pp mentioned. If the spots dont disappear, I would call 999 (I'm not a medic, but that is what I would do).

Sorry cross posted about the glass test!

Definitely call 111 given the spots in the mouth. Much better to be checked than miss something.

Call 111

Def call 111, scary as shit when they are ill so I really feel for you

I do hope he perks up soon. I know when they are much younger they can get nasty rashes at the end of a virus. But listen to your instincts and phone 111 if you are this worried.

What would you do if covid didn't exist? Do that.

I would have thought they would put him in the 'cold' or non Covid area in hospital because those are not the classic symptoms for it. So he shouldn't be more at risk than he needs to be.

Don't get the bit about 'not allowed' to take a bus or taxi - you mean because of Covid rules? It's an emergency, put masks on and open windows. He can't walk if he's that ill.

I’d call 111. It’s v scary when they’re ill and it’s late. I hope he gets well soon

I'll be very surprised if it's not Covid OP. Know children who have had the exact same symptoms about 2 weeks after initial infection which was likely the first rash.
Not to worry you but I would have a low threshold for getting him to hospital if he goes downhill at all. Keep a close eye
Hope I'm wrong and hes ok and feeling better soon

@PastMyBestBeforeDate If COVID didn't exist, the GP would see him.

@PullTheBricksDown I hope so. I'd have thought because he has / had (it's now between 37.5 - 38.2) a fever and waiting on COVID test result, they'd put him along with all the other suspected COVID patients. If it's something else making him this Ill, that really really worries me.
We are not allowed public transport or taxis because we need to self isolate cause of his fever. I think 111 would send transport or an ambulance.

He's asleep now, temp 38 (not given Calpol as want to see) , not hot to touch, but I will stay up and keep searching him for further red spots, keep checking temp and pulse and call GP / 111 in morning or if anything else happens.

OP, it's good that your DS received the MMR jab. A recent study has come to light, which showed that the MMR vaccine might give some immunity to Covid. It's thought that perhaps the Covid virus is similar to the mumps virus, so the body is quick to mount an immune response, if the person has received the MMR jab. This might explain why children and young adults seem to shake off Covid so easily. (Watch the YT channel of Dr John Campbell for more info.)

No real advice to offer, but thought that info might give you some comfort.

@gallbladderpain Yes that's what makes me think it is COVID. I don't know of nor can find any other common illnesses where there's a rash but asymptomatic otherwise then 9/10 days later illness happens, and we've had chickenpox, hand feet mouth etc. May I ask, did the Children you know of that this happened to, did they have severe COVID?? And how did it go for them??

I also think how can he have got it. His gran who he stays with at weekends (his dad lives with her so it's court ordered contact) is extremely clinically vulnerable and got a shielding letter again since Oct. So him and his sister wear ffp2 masks the whole of the school day except lunch, and any time we go on public transport. We hardly go anywhere and have been so careful. Guess it can still happen.

Hi Pizza, just checking in to see how things have gone overnight. Hoping he feels a bit better this morning but if not, get the taxi to the walk in appointment