anyone know anything about SCARLET FEVER

[harpsichordcarrier]

I know it sounds like something from a Victorian novel but - Has anyone had scarlet fever? What was it like and how did you deal with it? Are there any nasty complications to look out for? any problems for pregnancy?
think I may have been in contact...

ds had it about 2 1/2 years ago. It was a complication of Strep throat which he'd had before. He was feeling quite unwell, had a sore throat and was sick but once diagnosed and on AB's (they can test via a throat swab) he perked up within 24 hours. His skin was pretty rough on his face but he didn't have it too badly as in some cases the skin peels. We delayed going on our skiing holiday by a day to make sure he wasn't contagious and the redness faded within a few days. Sorry, not sure about catching it in pregnancy, perhaps NHS Direct has info.

thanks
will try and speak to my doctor today
any other experiences?

My ds had it when he was 5. His was pretty typical, high temp, bad head, strawberry tongue and inside of mouth. The rash is rough and sandpapery and peels later on the hands and feet.

When he had it, it was a notifiable disease, not sure if that's still the case. I don't know of any pregnancy complications but it has been linked to something called Kawasaki disease which is a problem with the heart. That's really rare though - much less common now that scarlet fever is treated with anti-b's.

Hope you managed to avoid it though.

One of my DSs had it (about 10 years ago). He was quite ill with it-very high temperature and generally unwell. It is important to get antibiotics as there is a possibility of kidney complications a couple of weeks later if left untreated, if I remember correctly.

I had it when I was about 20. From what others have said, it can't have been a v. bad case, as I sort of got on with it ( was on a uni field trip in Rome) I remember an incredibly sore throat, v. high temperature (everyone was in jumpers and I was feeling hot in just a T shirt) and feeling really tired and generally feverish. Actually, thinking about it, it was a bit grim, but by the time I got home and saw a doctor there was nothing he could give me as the worst was over. I got through it with nothing but throat lozenges!