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.

@jackstini. Unfortunately you cannot get a taxi or public transport if you have covid symptoms or waiting for a test result.

Only if you have already been told to self isolate - did the ambulance people or doc specify to do that?

If they did, you may need to call ambulance if he gets worse. Guessing he's still asleep for now?

@jackstini When I booked the test they told me not to use public transport, taxis, or cars from other households.

Going to do the test now and ask his sister to post it (it says you are allowed to but no using public transport). He seems a little better but then it's morning. Rash isn't any worse, maybe slightly faded but not sure. Headache less but again he just got up. Temperature still 38.5 which is worrying. I'm going to look at his throat.

Mine both had the blood spots in the mouth with scarlet fever (as did my mum who caught it from them).
The illness really dragged with them too, one of my DD’s ended up being admitted to hospital for IV antibiotics as her temperature kept spiking for weeks afterwards. She was in over Christmas and it was very stressful.
Call 111 again.

I would take him to a+e. I've had the blood spots. Mine were a reaction to an asthma drug, but I needed to be tested for this www.nhs.uk/conditions/henoch-schonlein-purpura-hsp/.

I've been in a+e with a child with covid symptoms, you get put in an isolation room, you aren't with other covid patients. They also said it was fine to get a taxi if you sit in the back with the windows open. Not idea, but somethimes theres no choice.

You poor thing, must be so worrying. Did they rule out kawasaki? I don't know much about it but remember reading that one of the symptoms presented as a rash - try not to google it too much as the media sensationalised it a bit

OP nothing you have described would make me jump to thinking he needs a hospital admission. However as I said in your previous thread, keep calling the GP, they have a responsibility to at least provide a phone consultation so you can describe the symptoms.

Sorry to hear about your son. It’s such a worrying time for any illness.
Have you spoken to GP to see if he can have an appt. my 2 year old had a covid test a few days ago for a temp, but temp and her general wellness got much while waiting for the results and GP agreed for her to been seen at a GP hun at a local surgery last night even though we were waiting for covid results. Turns out she has a urine infection and was given antibiotics. Covid email came in the night and was negative. The point is even if it COULD be covid he should still be seen again if he’s getting worse as there are also so many other things it could be that need treating

I would second calling the Gp back, it does sound a bit like scarlet fever and that can be treated with antibiotics. You shouldn't need to go to a&e, the GP should have a protocol for seeing him, even if it's by something like a video call.

It's horrible when they're poorly. If you're not happy then don't feel bad for keeping on at the GP, you know your DS best.

@WeCanFlyHigher Yeah, the Dr on 111 I spoke to said COVID or scarlet fever, but if it was it would not be a typical presentation cause he doesn't have a sore throat at all.

@kimlo that's reassuring.

@CCSS15 That's what I'm worried about - the multi inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID, as he has a lot of the symptoms.

[quote pizzatoday]@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.[/quote]
Sorry OP only seeingom this now they had a secondary inflammation infection or something from the initial covid infection. A few days in hospital and they recovered so nothing too worrying but something you would definetely want checked alongside other non covid illness as well.
Don't worry about going to the hospital either. We've had to go a few times with DC during the pandemic with respiratory issues (we knew they weren't covid there's underlying health problems) but we were covid tested and treated in a seperate area and admitted to our own room so isolated away from the rest of the ward due to the symptoms and fever until the negative result came back but all was safe and none of us contracted covid. I haven't read any updates yet will have a read through shortly but I hope he's ok