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Original poster

Is Scarlet Fever going round?

20 replies

kathsmj · 07/03/2003 19:36

I have a one year old and she has been unwell for a week, not terribly, but has a cough and has temperatures that calm down quickly with Calpol and is covered from head to toe with a pin prickly rash. My 4 year old is also getting the rash and says he feels unwell, he is unusually quiet and I believe he is following suit.
I was in Neath in South Wales last week on Holiday and a friend who lives there has told me that Scarlet Fever is going round her Son's nursery. I did have contact with her boy and wondered if it could have just been in the air as I believe it is passed on through air bourne droplets, am not aware if he has gone down with it but am aware he has been a little under the weather this week.
I was told not to take my children to my surgery today as it is highly contagious!
Anyone know of anyone else with the virus?

OP posts:
Ghosty · 07/03/2003 19:47

Errm ... you were told not to take the children to the DOCTORS surgery? Presumably someone will come out to you then or are you supposed to sit at home and 'see what happens'? Sounds odd if that is the case.
I don't know anything about the virus but have you phoned NHS Direct? They might be able to help you ...

AngieL · 07/03/2003 20:41

Hi

There was a thread about scarlet fever recently. Please look \link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=6140&stamp=030223220840\here.

Hope your children are on the mend soon.

AngieL · 07/03/2003 20:43

Oops sorry about that try

this.

sb34 · 07/03/2003 20:43

Message withdrawn

Original poster
kathsmj · 08/03/2003 09:21

was advised to attend a walk-in centre, shall go today as not sure what they have got, my four year old is quite poorly now. Thanks for advice, I felt a bit annoyed at the attitude in the surgery, I am thinking with the fairies, should've insisted on a call out or something.
Scarlet Fever is an illness where antibiotics are needed - I didn't know that, thanks, will get them to a GP asap.

OP posts:
Girly · 08/03/2003 14:15

My two have just had chicken pox, ds still got it and a friend came over when dd was highly contagious (did not know then) and she has got both, first the scarlet fever and then chicken pox on top.

Anyone know the incubation period for scarlet fever as am worried that my two will get this now.

We do not live anywhere near you Kathsmj, so maybe its going around everywhere, hope not.

manna · 08/03/2003 14:30

I've heard it's going around shepherds bush!

Original poster
kathsmj · 08/03/2003 15:43

Just seen a Doctor with my two, said it wasn't Scarlett Fever, it's a virus called "slapped cheek". Thank God for that, as their cheeks are like beetroot and they are covered in this prickly rash, was starting to get worried. However outlook not bad, just need to keep them home a few days, calpol, etc.
Apparently Scarlett Fever is extremely contagious and they are quite poorly with it, so, girly, hope your two don't have it.
Big tip - if you ring your surgery, they may tell you to not take them in as it is so contagious. When we went to our local walk in centre, we were put into a separate room, we were waiting ages. So, if you do suspect your children have it, insist the doctor does a home visit.
Hope your ds is Ok now sb34! Thanks everyone for the input.

OP posts:
SofiaAmes · 08/03/2003 17:15

kathsmj, slapped cheek or fifth disease is relatively harmless for the children, but like rubella, it can be very dangerous to an unborn baby. If your children have been around any pregnant women, please make sure you tell them so that they can get everything checked out.

LIZS · 08/03/2003 18:33

ds had scarlet fever a few weeks ago and also had slapped cheek (5th disease or erythema infectiosum) as a baby - he took far longer to recover from the latter but overall it is relatively mild. Scarlet fever has been going around ds class for at least the past 3 weeks. I think the incubation period is 2 to 5 days but was unable to establish when it is contagious from ie. is it like chickenpox which is most contagious the day before the spots appear?
anyway dd (18 months) didn't catch it so I think there is something in what sb34 said. ds has previously had strep throat infections too.

Hope your kids feel better soon Kathsmj,

LizS

sb34 · 08/03/2003 22:21

Message withdrawn

Original poster
kathsmj · 09/03/2003 09:07

I've learned more about Slapped Cheek from you guys than from the Doc. My one year old has had a cough with it, she is a lot brighter today.
My kids also catch everything going round, sb, especially since my boy has been going to his Nursery.
I haven't to my knowledge been around any pregnant women, all I can do is inform the Nursery.
Thanks again everyone for your info, it's been a big help.
How do you get these smiley faces on your emails??

OP posts:
sb34 · 09/03/2003 15:13

Message withdrawn

NQWWW · 11/03/2003 10:44

My ds had slapped cheek (parva virus) and wasn't too bad - then I got it and thought I was dying. The doctor who saw me thought I had meningitis and it was all quite scary for a while. But it passed quite quickly and is apparently generally more serious in adults.

LIZS · 11/03/2003 11:49

Does anyone know if the rash can recur once the Scarlet Fever has gone?

ds now has a cold ,not especially ill although he has an irritating runny nose and is tired. However he also has a slight rash which resembles in a lesser form that which he had on his body with the Scarlet fever almost a month ago.

LizS

candy · 22/03/2003 20:28

I think (having read this and also talking to someone at NHS direct, that my 5 yr old has "slapped cheek" - she's pretty happy in herself altho she has a nasty cough and is bright pink - should I keep her off school on Monday or not? Also she's meant to be going to a b'day party 2mro - I assume she'll have to miss that will she? Her sister seems unaffected, but will she be contagious? Any advice appreciated!

sb34 · 22/03/2003 21:40

Message withdrawn

nettie · 25/03/2003 20:01

Help! Feeling very stressed at the moment (ds2 hospitalised after bad attack of croup over the weekend).Ds1 was sent home from school last wednesday with temp. and headache, fine on thursday, came out with bright red rash on cheeks and body on Friday, but still felt fine. GP said it was a virus and as he seemed well in his self, not concerned - usual bring him back if gets worse. Found this thread today, first chance to get on computer, and makes me wonder whether he has/had scarlet fever. His skin is still red and rough in patches and starting to flake off in others. Seems fine in every other way though. Do you think it will be a problem that he didn't get antibiotics. Can't decided whether its worth a trip to the GPs or not. Any advice gratefully received.

ROBERTnCOURTNEYSmum · 28/03/2003 10:54

My daughter has just got over scarletina which is what you are talking about and was treated with penicilan.
The doctor said it can be quite nasty if its not treated and when the skin starts to peel it is a good sign as it means they are getting better.
Just thought I would let you know what I was told.

doormat · 28/03/2003 10:59

Scarletina is going around so too is chickenpox.

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