1. Blotches
2. Does Your Child?
3. A Shade Different
Not a Good Night. Poor old Son 1 aged 5y 1m came in at 0230, and I had very little sleep after that. I went downstairs at 4, and then got up at 6, with Son 1 pad-pad-padding down behind me. One Wednesday Friend - the Booming Businesswoman - is away in South Africa, doing Very Well without the children. The other texted. Swimming? Nah. Can’t really. I have Son 1 as well as Son 2 aged 2y 2m. He’s off school with a sore throat. She would go swimming, we decided, and we three would see her in the cafe afterwards. I made lunch. I loaded the Big Pram into the car. I loaded all the bags into the car. At about 1015, for some reason I still can’t remember, I checked Son 1’s tummy. There was a rash. Red. Not even a rash, particularly. Just big blotches and patches of red. Nah, not red. Pink. Too faint for red. Nope. Not faint. There. Inescapable. And, come to think of it, if we’re honest, and not trying to make the least of something, it’s red. Red. At his neck. Under his ears. On his chest. On his tummy. I kept peering at him. He kept protesting.
I got my Book out. Rashes With Fever. Does Your Child Have A Fever? Yes. Is the rash red, widespread, and vanishes when pressed? Yes. Does Your Child Have A Sore Throat? Yes. = Scarlet Fever. See Your Doctor. I looked at Son 1. I looked at The Rash. I looked at The Book. I looked at The Rash. I rang the Doctor. The receptionist was vaguely interested. “There’s only emergency appointments left. Is it an emergency?” “Well… he’s got a sore throat, a fever and a rash, and I’d like him someone to look at him today.” ”Four Fifteen. You’ll have to come and wait.” “That’s fine.” “So it’s sore throat and fever? His symptoms?” “And The Rash. On his neck. And his body.” “Could you please just excuse me. I’m putting you on hold. ” I tum ti tummed. “Sorry, I can’t get the Duty Doctor. Can he ring you back?” Of course he can. He rang. ”Bring him in now, I’ll have a look at him between appointments.”
“Open wide. Say Aaaah. He’s got white spots on his throat and palate. Rashes are hard… that could be viral.. or… what’s his highest temperature been?” “37.9. And 38 last night, but that was when he was in bed with all his covers on so I didn’t think it counted. But I don’t really do temperatures. I’ve just been giving him Calpol and Ibuprofen to help him when he’s clearly too hot.” “Over 38 is probably an infection. What do you think it is? Scarlet Fever?” ”Well,” I said. “I’ve got this Book. And it says fever, sore throat and rash = Scarlet Fever. And we’ve been on holiday so he’s been on a plane. And we spent a lot of time in a Spa Bath, and I’ve read somewhere they’re high risk for Scarlet Fever… and… if you tell me it’s not, I’ll be happy.” “It’s not one of those where you take chances,” he said, swabbing Son 1’s cheek. “Usually, if there’s any doubt, you don’t give children antibiotics. Except for suspected Strep, when you do. ” The printer buzzed. ”No school till at least a day after the rash goes and his temperature is normal. No mixing with other children till you’ve had a clear day.” “What about Son 2?” I asked. “Oh if he’s getting it, he’s got it. Ring on Friday for the Swab result.” Outside, I rang The Man. I told the people we’d been with over the last few days. Only suspected, I said. Could still be viral. Yes, he did…er.. go red before my very eyes. At home, the boys watched telly. I made tea. Son 1 couldn’t eat any. At bedtime, I took off his top to put him in the shower. His back was shiny, coated in the rash. No white bits. And I’ve kind of hunted here and there for the right word to describe the shade. Deep red? Crimson? Nah, a just a few shades pinker. Vermilion? A bit too orangey. Scarlet. Definitely scarlet.
Tags: antibiotics, doctor, illness, penicillin, rash, rashes with fever, scarlet fever, sore throat, South Africa, swimming, Wednesday friends
