On Friday my 7yr old came home from school, I noticed his face was a little puffy but did not think of it. He went on to play and what not. Friday night I was laying on the couch with him and I noticed he had a rash all over his face. After further looking at him, his entire body was covered with this rash. Since he was not "acting" sick and told me that nothing hurt, I gave him some benadryl and he went to bed. Saturday morning he got up and the rash was red again and he said itching him. So I made an appt at his ped's office. As soon as she looked at him and his arms she said that he had scarlet fever, did the swab culture of his throat and confirmed. The MD recommended some oatmeal lotion because when the rash goes away his skin will start to peel - almost like a sunburn. I put lotion all over him last night and it felt really weird - all those bumps.
I told my mother this and she just about dropped. She said she had it when she was younger and was on her "death bed". And that she did not think people got this these days.
I just hope my other 2 kids don't get this!

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~Debi~

I didn't know that it was still around either. I would hope that it's not as feared as is was in yesteryear, with all the information they have about it and ways to treat it.

I do hope that he gets better soon, and will cross my fingers your family stays well too!

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Scarlet fever is caused by the strep virus. Here is some info I found when googling scarlet fever:

Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause the scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name.

Not all streptococci bacteria make this toxin and not all kids are sensitive to it. Two kids in the same family may both have strep infections, but one child (who is sensitive to the toxin) may develop the rash of scarlet fever while the other may not. Usually, if a child has this scarlet rash and other symptoms of strep throat, it can be treated with antibiotics. So if your child has these symptoms, it's important to call your doctor.

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~Jill~

"Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions" ~ Unknown

Yep, some kids can get strep throat without having a fever or feeling bad. Sometimes the rash is the only way you can tell that the child has a strep infection. It's kind of scary since I rely on fever and pain to indicate if something is wrong with my dd.

I hope your ds feels better soon!

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"Ala-Freakin'-Bama, Roll Tide Roll!" ~ Trace Adkins

Oh gosh...poor thing.

My older son had scarlet fever and the rash was his only symptom. It is caused by the strep virus. Once confirmed by a strep test, it can be treated with antibiotics.

Hope he feels better soon!

Make sure he takes the full course of antibiotics even if he starts feeling better. Untreated scarlet fever can cause heart damage. Hope he's better soon.

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My ds had strep throat and scarlet fever 2 years ago.
I do not believe it is like ti was years ago- though my mom had it as a child and was really sick.

I am sorry to hear this, I hope he is feeling better soon. Poor little guy.

IIRC, it's the same thing, it's just that many years ago it was untreated and complications could/did arise. We have antibiotics now, although if not used, a child even in this day and age could get the complications, it can lead to rheumatic fever etc

Remember how Mary in the Little House stories went blind from it?

It's definitely had a revival with the prevalence of Strep. Thankfully, as said, antiibiotics, which weren't around then, can stop it in its tracks successfully.

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