Scarlet fever

[telfordstar]

I was shocked to hear that scarlet fever is been going around my sons school informed me the other day that there was 2 cases diagnosed with pupils in his school and to be vigilant on the symtoms and if in any doubt contact my gp as left untreated can be very harmful. For those whos children have caught it i hope they get well very very soon

[3boys4me]

yeah my brother had it in nursery and he was born 1988. Your tongue apprently goes red, hence the scarlet fever.

[dandod]

is is thurso or wick?

[justine]

There was a thread started a few days ago....i believe it is on page 4 now....i put some info on it which explains symptons

Symptoms of Scarlet Fever

The rash is the most striking sign of scarlet fever. It usually begins looking like a bad sunburn with tiny bumps and it may itch. The rash usually appears first on the neck and face, often leaving a clear unaffected area around the mouth. It spreads to the chest and back, then to the rest of the body. In body creases, especially around the underarms and elbows, the rash forms classic red streaks. Areas of rash usually turn white when you press on them. By the sixth day of the infection the rash usually fades, but the affected skin may begin to peel.
Aside from the rash, there are usually other symptoms that help to confirm a diagnosis of scarlet fever, including a reddened sore throat, a fever above 101° Fahrenheit (38.3° Celsius), and swollen glands in the neck. The tonsils and back of the throat may be covered with a whitish coating, or appear red, swollen, and dotted with whitish or yellowish specks of pus. Early in the infection, the tongue may have a whitish or yellowish coating. A child with scarlet fever also may have chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
When scarlet fever occurs because of a throat infection, the fever typically stops within 3 to 5 days, and the sore throat passes soon afterward. The scarlet fever rash usually fades on the sixth day after sore throat symptoms began, but skin that was covered by rash may begin to peel. This peeling may last 10 days. With antibiotic treatment, the infection itself is usually cured with a 10-day course of antibiotics, but it may take a few weeks for tonsils and swollen glands to return to normal.
In rare cases, scarlet fever may develop from a streptococcal skin infection like impetigo. In these cases, the child may not get a sore throat.
Preventing Scarlet Fever

The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing and coughing. If a child has a skin infection caused by strep bacteria, like impetigo, it can be passed through contact with the skin.
In everyday life, there is no perfect way to avoid the infections that cause scarlet fever. When a child is sick at home, it's always safest to keep that child's drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and to wash these items thoroughly in hot soapy water. Wash your own hands frequently as you care for a child with a strep infection.
Treating Scarlet Fever

If your child has a rash and the doctor suspects scarlet fever, he or she will usually take a throat culture (a painless swab of throat secretions) to see if the bacteria grow in the laboratory. Once a strep infection is confirmed, the doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic for your child to be taken for about 10 days.
Caring for a Child With Scarlet Fever

A child with severe strep throat may find that eating is painful, so providing soft foods or a liquid diet may be necessary. Include soothing teas and warm nutritious soups, or cool soft drinks, milkshakes, and ice cream. Make sure that the child drinks plenty of fluids.
Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air, since this will help soothe the sore throat. A moist warm towel may help to soothe swollen glands around your child's neck.
If the rash itches, make sure that your child's fingernails are trimmed short so skin isn't damaged through scratching.
When to Call the Doctor

Call the doctor whenever your child suddenly develops a rash, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands. This is especially important if your child has any of the symptoms of strep throat, or if someone in your family or in your child's school has recently had a strep infection.
Reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD
Date reviewed: March 2006

[balto]

so it wasnt just rumours then, we still havent heard anything in thurso

[telfordstar]

no definatly not rumers my friends little boy was put to raigmore as he couldnt drink because his tounge being the way it goes with scarlet fever i hope it disappers soon.

[telfordstar]

There was a thread started a few days ago....i believe it is on page 4 now....i put some info on it which explains symptons

Symptoms of Scarlet Fever

The rash is the most striking sign of scarlet fever. It usually begins looking like a bad sunburn with tiny bumps and it may itch. The rash usually appears first on the neck and face, often leaving a clear unaffected area around the mouth. It spreads to the chest and back, then to the rest of the body. In body creases, especially around the underarms and elbows, the rash forms classic red streaks. Areas of rash usually turn white when you press on them. By the sixth day of the infection the rash usually fades, but the affected skin may begin to peel.
Aside from the rash, there are usually other symptoms that help to confirm a diagnosis of scarlet fever, including a reddened sore throat, a fever above 101° Fahrenheit (38.3° Celsius), and swollen glands in the neck. The tonsils and back of the throat may be covered with a whitish coating, or appear red, swollen, and dotted with whitish or yellowish specks of pus. Early in the infection, the tongue may have a whitish or yellowish coating. A child with scarlet fever also may have chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
When scarlet fever occurs because of a throat infection, the fever typically stops within 3 to 5 days, and the sore throat passes soon afterward. The scarlet fever rash usually fades on the sixth day after sore throat symptoms began, but skin that was covered by rash may begin to peel. This peeling may last 10 days. With antibiotic treatment, the infection itself is usually cured with a 10-day course of antibiotics, but it may take a few weeks for tonsils and swollen glands to return to normal.
In rare cases, scarlet fever may develop from a streptococcal skin infection like impetigo. In these cases, the child may not get a sore throat.
Preventing Scarlet Fever

The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing and coughing. If a child has a skin infection caused by strep bacteria, like impetigo, it can be passed through contact with the skin.
In everyday life, there is no perfect way to avoid the infections that cause scarlet fever. When a child is sick at home, it's always safest to keep that child's drinking glasses and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and to wash these items thoroughly in hot soapy water. Wash your own hands frequently as you care for a child with a strep infection.
Treating Scarlet Fever

If your child has a rash and the doctor suspects scarlet fever, he or she will usually take a throat culture (a painless swab of throat secretions) to see if the bacteria grow in the laboratory. Once a strep infection is confirmed, the doctor will likely prescribe an antibiotic for your child to be taken for about 10 days.
Caring for a Child With Scarlet Fever

A child with severe strep throat may find that eating is painful, so providing soft foods or a liquid diet may be necessary. Include soothing teas and warm nutritious soups, or cool soft drinks, milkshakes, and ice cream. Make sure that the child drinks plenty of fluids.
Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air, since this will help soothe the sore throat. A moist warm towel may help to soothe swollen glands around your child's neck.
If the rash itches, make sure that your child's fingernails are trimmed short so skin isn't damaged through scratching.
When to Call the Doctor

Call the doctor whenever your child suddenly develops a rash, especially if it is accompanied by a fever, sore throat, or swollen glands. This is especially important if your child has any of the symptoms of strep throat, or if someone in your family or in your child's school has recently had a strep infection.
Reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD
Date reviewed: March 2006

Thanks justine i might keep this handy just incase but fingers crossed i wont need to.

[Sapphire2803]

Which school is that?

[chaz]

Intrested to know which school please if anyone knows?

[Venture]

The other thread mentioned it was Wick. Id like to know which school as well. Im surprised the information hasn't been passed on to all the schools. Children from different schools do play with one another and have older brothers and sisters.

[chaz]

Im wondering as overnight two of mine have started vometing,sore throats and high temps.One is preschool and one thurso high school.

[Venture]

Im wondering as overnight two of mine have started vometing,sore throats and high temps.One is preschool and one thurso high school.

Chaz keep a very close eye on them especially for any rashes. Get a doctor if you're in any doubt.

[chaz]

Chaz keep a very close eye on them especially for any rashes. Get a doctor if you're in any doubt.

Thanks will do,glands are swollen also,if it turns out to be scarlet fever will post on here.Thanks again venture

[telfordstar]

hi all it was wick south and i believe pulteneytown acadamy as well think its quite nasty to have.

[ett23]

Preventing Scarlet Fever
The bacterial infection that causes scarlet fever is contagious. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing and coughing. If a child has a skin infection caused by strep bacteria, like impetigo, it can be passed through contact with the skin.

I found this information quite interesting because it suggests that the bacterial infection (group A streptococci) that causes scarlet fever is the same as that causing impetigo. So potentially someone with impetigo may spread the infection to another child and it could become scarlet fever in their case. I'm mentioning this because my 5yr old has (i think) got impetigo, which i've learnt is highly contagious.... . So I'm gonna take her to the doc and get her checked out tomorrow. Scary thing is her little sis (2 1/2 yrs) has a raging temperature - just started today, so I hope it doesn't turn into anything serious. Gonna keep a close eye on her over the next few hours/days.

Has anyone in Thurso been diagnosed with scarlet fever yet? Or is it still just Wick?

[chaz]

I found this information quite interesting because it suggests that the bacterial infection (group A streptococci) that causes scarlet fever is the same as that causing impetigo. So potentially someone with impetigo may spread the infection to another child and it could become scarlet fever in their case. I'm mentioning this because my 5yr old has (i think) got impetigo, which i've learnt is highly contagious.... . So I'm gonna take her to the doc and get her checked out tomorrow. Scary thing is her little sis (2 1/2 yrs) has a raging temperature - just started today, so I hope it doesn't turn into anything serious. Gonna keep a close eye on her over the next few hours/days.

Has anyone in Thurso been diagnosed with scarlet fever yet? Or is it still just Wick?

Hi, hope your lot improve, no sign of a rash here yet but temprature soaring, we are watten/spittal area but my kids are often in wick and go to school in thurso.
take care chaz x

[binbob]

it is in thurso....know children who have had it. after nearly 3 weeks all well again.

[alfie]

I also hear that glandular fever is on the go too.