Help me think this one through- Strep

[Soreandtiredandsickandcranky]

I don’t have children and I’m not living in the UK anymore but have heard that there’s a dangerous outbreak of Strep A which sounds dreadful and very scary. Because it’s not really something that impacts me, I haven’t paid much attention to the advice on what to do/not do.

I’m feeling really sick at the minute and think it may be Strep, I’m going to the doctor tomorrow.

I’m supposed to be spending Christmas in England with my brother, his wife, and their three young children, traveling on Thursday.

I messaged him today to explain I’m unwell and think it’s Strep which obviously means I’ll have to postpone my visit as I don’t want to risk passing it on to his children (or to him and SIL, but from what I’m hearing, kids are the biggest concern).

He messaged back to say he’s very disappointed and there’s no reason for me to not travel.

Am I right in thinking that, if I do indeed have Strep, I shouldn’t be a) traveling and exposing anyone else to it, and b) staying in a house with young children is an especially bad idea?

Or am I genuinely missing something and there’s no such advice?

Even if it’s not Strep, I think I have a fairly nasty virus so staying put and keeping my germs to myself is probably the best thing to do anyway, but I’m a bit baffled at my brother’s response.

If I were you brother, even not thinking of strep I wouldn’t want someone poorly coming to my house!

if you are I’ll, you’re ill

🤷‍♀️

I can’t imagine spending Christmas Day with someone, indeed internationally travelling to get to them, and that this is their response

are you close?

do you want to go?

have you cancelled in the past?

This is the advice we got from local Public Health re: some cases in our local school:

If you think your child has a Group A Strep infection or scarlet fever:
• Your child should see his or her GP (or you should contact NHS 111) as soon as
possible.
• Make sure that your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor.
• Your child should stay at home (and away from nursery or school) for at least 24 hours after starting the antibiotic treatment, to avoid spreading the infection.
Children who are well (have no symptoms) can continue to attend nursery or school.
As long as they have no symptoms, contacts of a case do not need to isolate or stay away from nursery, school or work. Contacts of cases do not need to be treated with antibiotics. However if they develop symptoms they should also follow the advice listed above.

Obviously if you're ill then you shouldn't travel as it would be horrible for you, but if it is strep, you get antibiotics and are feeling better then there's no reason not to.

Well if it is strep A and you get antibiotics, you won't be contagious after 24 hours.

Don't forget that strep A circles every year, causing tonsillitis, scarlett fever, sore throats. This year has been particularly bad, but it has happened in the past. Whilst it is horrific for those affected, it is a small risk in reality.

Can you see how you are doing tomorrow?

Fairly close. Don’t see each other all that often, but text and call regularly and keep up to date. We get on well. There’s a significant age difference so we were never in each other’s pockets growing up.

I was very much looking forward to going but I’m just feeling so very sick right now, I can’t even contemplate traveling. Plus there’s <18hrs between my GP appointment and when I’m due to arrive in his house so I won’t even have had the benefit of a full day of antibiotics.

Have never cancelled but this is the first year I’ve been invited to his for Christmas. Typically it’s been a mix of being in parents’ house, or me and DH stay in our home for Christmas, or DB is with his in-laws etc.

He has just made me feel like I’m making excuses when I am genuinely concerned that I’ll pass something on to his children. If the roles were reversed, I think I’d very much appreciate that.

I’m also confused that I have such a different take from my reading of UK newspapers than he does.

I’d stop with the self diagnosis of strep to him.

You feel thoroughly shit and can’t travel.

end of

I think that's the issue though - you're making it sound to him that you want to go but are staying at home to protect his family. He's telling you that they want to see you and they don't feel like they need protecting.

But actually, you feel crappy and don't think you'll be well enough to travel. That's reason enough to stay at home.

People get strep all the time.

What makes you think this particular illness you have is strep A (when not a child and not in U.K.?) and not just any virus?

I'm just thinking that your OP sounds like a whole load of reasons for you not to travel over something very unlikely to be true.

Rather than the truth that you aren't well and don't want to drive/ ferry/ fly? However far and spend days away from your own home when ill.

I'm always suspicious of peoples actual motives when they make their excuses to cancel and make it all about "for you".

Strep isn’t a big deal

literally we get it all the time and don’t test for it

most recover quickly

if your better I wouldn’t even entertain strep