My son has tested positive. Unusual presentation. Hand hold please.

[pizzatoday]

My son (11) took a COVID test yesterday (Wednesday), it has come back positive. I'm an anxious person when it comes to my kids so I'm really scared. Tbh I've been scared anyway as he was really Ill Monday and Tuesday.

Also I don't understand something. It says that you must test within 5 days of symptoms starting but he had a big rash for 10 days before he was even slightly Ill(couldn't get test as rash was literally the only symptom). So he's tested positive on day 13. It's definitely the same rash cause it came up, faded, then came up again when his fever started.

He has had -

2 weeks ago - pronounced rash all over most of trunk, shoulders, folds of groin. No other symptoms and thought it could be a reaction to new clothes he got.

Rash faded after a few days.

The next Sunday night (so after 10 days of rash but no symptoms ) - same rash back up again, headache, dizzy, nauseous.

Monday and Tuesday - high fever (up to 40.6 at one point), lethargic tired, red eyes, headache when moving around. few pinprick blood spots back of throat.

Wednesday and Today - energy normal, headache gone, red eyes mostly better, temperature around 38 without Calpol. Rash still the same, maybe slightly faded.

My GP I spoke to said to call them back if it is COVID because it's an unusual presentation. They considered scarlet fever.

Having the rash ten days before getting Ill??

I'm worrying about MIS-C syndrome later now and fretting this may not be the end of it.

Has anyone else's child had these kind of symptoms??

I don't know enough about this but have you considered the covid may be present alongside something else?

It's my understanding that the autoimmune reaction occurs after the infection, sometimes many weeks after.

Have you had tests for the other possibilities?

I saw your other threads OP. Poor boy, he does sound rough. You say the GP said to ring them again - have you done that?
I'd be pulling out all the stops to get him maximum medical attention if I were you.

I'm sorry I don't know the answers to any of your questions but I can offer you a handhold for sure.

I'm really sorry your boy is unwell.

Covid can present alongside something else - please insist your GP consider other illnesses too. I had no Covid symptoms at all, but severe sinusitis, and my GP figured my immune system had been weakened by Covid and so I'd got a bad case of sinusitis.

Hello, I'm so sorry, have you rung the Gp yet?

Scarlet fever rash goes pretty quickly ime, even without abs.

2 weeks ago - pronounced rash all over most of trunk, shoulders, folds of groin. No other symptoms and thought it could be a reaction to new clothes he got.
*
Rash faded after a few days.* this is very scarlet fever like, especially the groin and hot areas of body.

It's possible he's had / got both?

Either way it sounds like a chat with Gp is in order

@5863921l Yeah my DD actually mentioned that, that the rash two weeks ago and then it coming back with the fever, the rash could've been something different and his when his body been busy fighting COVID it's come back. No, I've not been offered any other tests. The GP gave him penicillin for possible scarlet fever but said to stop it if COVID test came back positive. Neither of my DC are Ill often at all, the odd sick bug, barely even a cold. This is the second time DS has had a fever in his life (first was hand feet mouth), and DD only had one with chickenpox once and she's nearly 15!!

@giletrouge yeah I told the GP and school. Despite being really properly ill earlier this week, he has been fine today apart from the rash and the temperature still being 38 without Calpol. He's currently playing PlayStation and talking away, was running about earlier. Should I still call 111, or just if he gets worse again??

Ok it's good he seems fine today apart from rash and temp. Is he eating and drinking, especially drinking plenty? Did he sleep normally last night?

@NeurotrashWarrior Yeah everyone I've spoken to queries scarlet fever. He's no sore throat, but I suppose it could still happen.

The one health problem he does have is a recurrent nose bacteria for years which causes impetigo and recurs even after antibiotic cream. He's had swollen glands in July and September and often his nose smells of decomposition (yuk) although he's neither up nor down with it and gp never bothers when I tell them, just give cream. It goes, until the next time.

Right now his breath smells fishy.

No idea what's going on.

Afaik scarlet fever is some sort of reaction to the toxins produced by strep throat so it's possible it's linked to his nose? ?

If he's getting better it sounds like he's fighting it off. Is the rash any better? Maybe he's had it badly as he was already run down.

I suppose keep and eye on him and if he goes downhill call 111.

It must be so stressful

@giletrouge Yeah he's been eating and drinking fine the whole time. At one point he was drinking a lot of water (dehydration from when the fever was high maybe). He has been eating a bit smaller portions than usual though.

Monday and Tuesday he was really quite bad with fever, lethargic, red half shut eyes, headaches, and of course the widespread rash.

I just hope this is the end of it.

@NeurotrashWarrior thanks. Yeah he does seem to have ongoing but minor issues with the bacteria in his nose, I hope that isn't going to affect the COVID. Yes I'm going to keep a very close eye on him and won't hesitate to have him seen if he gets worse. I'm keeping his sister (nearly 15) in her room except from toilet and shower, since Sunday, and washing my hands and her dishes before giving her her meals. She's preparing for whatever is replacing exams so hopefully she doesn't get it.

As you can probably tell, I'm quite an anxious parent in general, and it's difficult cause I only have support from my sister and friend via phone. His dad isn't very useful.

Has he had any antibiotics?

You sound like you're handling it really well, it's understandable you'd be anxious. I mean I'm pretty sure all you can do at this stage is keep a good eye on him and be ready to call GP or 111 if there's any concerning change. I think the fact he's eating and drinking fine is a very good sign . And take care of yourself, the stress is not going to be doing you any good either!

Thanks, I feel on edge. I'm very glad he seems much improved for now though.

@Hollyhobbi He hasn't had any yet. The GP prescribed yesterday penicillin cause it's presented a bit like scarlet fever without the sore throat. Didn't want to go out and about so was waiting for someone to sister for me and put outside my door. GP said not to take antibiotics if test was positive.

Got a call from test and trace.

Then a call from his father saying he's had a text too and telling me to lie and say he wasn't staying there at the weekend as him and his family don't want to isolate (children are allowed to stay between parents homes and ds had no symptoms on Fri and Sat, they don't work so it's not that, they just can't be arsed to isolate).

that's his father..

Oh fgs. As if you didn't have enough on your plate without an arsehole ex trying to get you to lie. Did you tell him he might literally be incubating covid?

Yes, he knows fine well. Wanted to take DS out today . His mother who he lives with (and DS stays with on weekends) is ECV category. He just doesn't want to have to alter his life in any way.

I'm not lying to test and trace when / if they call.

DS fine just now. I hope he continues to be fine.

How's DS this morning pizzatoday?

Imo his dads family should isolate if symptoms started monday and he was there Sat

'Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that often presents with a distinctive rash made up of tiny pinkish-red spots that cover the whole body. It affects people who have recently had a sore throat (strep throat) or school sores ( impetigo) caused by certain strains of the group A streptococcus bacteria.'

There was quite a bit of talk about this in the press back in March wasn't there - that kids sometimes presented with a Kawasaki type illness when they got covid? Hope he has aspeedy recovery.

Jacob

After.

@giletrouge He's still feeling absolutely fine, rash fading, but his temperature is back up to 38.9 , so I'm a bit worried by that. This is day 5 of temperature. It seems to go down to normal like 36 - 37.2 at bedtime and through the night.

@Keepdistance I know, they've had the texts to isolate but are refusing to do it. They want me to send DS there tomorrow but I'm not doing it, he can have the days he was meant to be there back. His isolation doesn't end until Thursday.

@JacobReesMogadishu I'm really worried about the Kawasaki like thing. It's up to 12 weeks after infected it can happen. I'm a worrier in general and I'm a seriously anxious mother (although I don't show it to the DC). I suppose Kawasaki could still happen even if you didn't even know your kid had COVID.

Thanks for the ongoing support on this thread.

I would think either a) something else apart from Covid is going on (scarlet fever or similar sounds likely), or b) viral rash - no reason why Covid shouldn't produce one of those. The Kawasaki-type illness happens afterwards and (AIUI) is more acute, less drawn-out.

I'd be doing rest, vitamins/healthy foods, watch and wait for the time being.

I would be exactly the same but from what you’ve written you’re doing everything right. Keep going.

All you can really do is stay alert to his symptoms and seek medical advice if you ever feel out of your depth. The temperature would concern me and I wouldn’t feel bad about continuing to contact the GP/111 if I was at all concerned.

Sorry his dad is such a penis, keep standing your ground, they’re wrong and you’re right. No amount of foot stamping changes that fact.