Feeling like the worst parent- potential rheumatic fever

[Ivyside]

DS (8) came down with scarlet fever last week got antibiotics the morning after the rash appeared. DD (10) hasn’t been unwell in the last few weeks that she has mentioned, or that I have noticed and I am very vigilant with checking temperatures etc. I did notice that she had a small circular red patch on her arm about two weeks ago, and a small itchy patch on her tummy, she had mild eczema as a baby and as she was absolutely fine other than this, I assumed that’s what it was, and I booked routine appointment for a few weeks time and didn’t think anything more of it. On Monday DS (8) became unwell. High temp slight sore throat, by weds temp had vanished and he felt fine but came out in red rash. Took to gp in the morning and they gave antibiotics for suspected scarlet fever. Today the throat swab has confirmed it is scarlet fever. This made me worry that DD might catch it and was wondering about speaking to doctor about that as she has complained about a sore throat today, so I went down the warren hole of googling and came across rheumatic fever as a complication of untreated strep throat, the rash often starts on the arm- it looks very much like the mark on her arm now! I feel awful, like the worst parent in the world, I’m phoning for gp appointment first thing for her but I’m terrified she could suffer permanent heart damage or something else awful, but I’m also mystified as I cannot recall her mentioning any sore throat and she hasn’t had a temperature for a long time that I can remember, I feel so guilty though that it might be that she’s had the strep a first it’s gone unnoticed and she’s passed it to her brother. She isn’t the type to suffer in silence though, she makes a big deal when feeling unwell. Last night she was complaining of very bad abdominal pain, she had calpol and a hot water bottle, today the pain is gone but she has a slight sore throat. Does anyone have any experience of rheumatic fever?

To clarify she hasn’t mentioned sore throat before today, and the symptoms of rheumatic fever can appear 1 to 5 weeks on from the strep infection, so I’m confused but really worried about the rash and the abdominal pain that came on yesterday?

This rash started out as a much redder smaller circle and it has spread out and got fainter. I did show this gp picture when I took my son to get his antibiotics and I asked her if that was likely to be linked to scarlet fever and she said no, it looked like an allergic reaction to something.

I had rheumatic fever as a child. It causes horrific joint pain and mine began with a sore throat and a swollen knee, not abdominal pain. I was very young, but please don't worry too much until you have seen the doctor.

Thanks for your reply Phoenix, have you had to be monitored for heart problems? Sorry, I’m spiralling with worry!

I do have heart problems but they are genetic.

Sorry to hear that, thank you for replying.

Did you ever find out what this was?
my daughter had scarlet fever nearly a month ago and 10 day course of antibiotics. She is 3 so a lot was spat out but done what we could and she improved so much.
the last 3 nights she has came out in rashes/hives that look so much like your photo! Over her arms, legs, back. Then they fade but seem to return when she lays down again! Drs not open until Tuesday so I’m toying with whether this is a walk in centre job or not.
I have treated with piriton as advised from 111 who never returned my call.

Doctor said it was a skin infection and prescribed some cream, he pretty much laughed at my concern it was rheumatic fever. If you’re worried though, I’d take her to gp. My daughter only had a few tiny itchy patches on her tummy and one on her arm, so more patches than an all over rash. My son who definitely had Scarlett fever has weeks later had all peeling skin on his hands, my daughter hasn’t had this so I’m hoping it means she didn’t catch it. Hope your daughter is ok.