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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Childhood Illness: You'll Never Guess this One!

Hey Y'all:

I've learned something over the past week. Measles, mumps and chickenpox are all very easy to detect but Scarlet Fever is not! My oldest has scarlet fever! I know it's not 1810 it's 2010 and scarlet fever is still a childhood illness that children are capable of contracting. Scarlet Fever is a type of strep throat.

When Erick told us that his gums were hurting, we thought for sure his two front teeth which have been out since he was 3; were finally coming in. I thought for sure his pain and slight fever had to do with a 'teething' five year old! Oh was I wrong. I noticed a tiny rash appear on his face. I thought maybe he was having an allergic reaction to something. I called my mom and told her what was going on and she thought he might be getting Chickenpox.

I remember chickenpox and I know the bumps aren't small, but look a little like pimples with puss inside of them. So I ruled that out (this was all taking place Friday night - Saturday) I decided to ride it out because he wasn't in pain besides his gums and he was really sleepy. Fast forward to Saturday and he wasn't looking or feeling any better, actually he was getting worse... the little bumps or rash on his face spread to his 'trunk' I knew something was WRONG. I called his pediatrician and told her want was going on. She too thought he might be having an allergic reaction and suggested that we give him Benadryl and watch him. That did absolutely nothing. His mouth was hurting even more and his tongue was taking on a 'strawberry' look, time to go to the Dr!

First thing Monday morning the hubby took my big boy to the Dr. where he was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever. I was floored! In this day and age you just don't hear about a scarlet fever out break. Needless to say he is now on antibiotics and doing MUCH better. I'm watching the twins to make sure they don't end up with it. Unfortunately, like most childhood illness; there is no guarantee that they won't get this... so I just have to watch them like a hawk.

Here are the symptoms for Scarlet Fever... keep your eyes open!
  • Rash
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bright red patches in the creases of the forearm and groin
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Muscle Aches
  • Sore Throat
  • Swollen Red Tongue (strawberry tongue)
  • Vomiting

Have you had any surprising illness? Do share...

Until next time...
MUAH!

1 comment:

  1. Manny had scarlet fever from undetected strep throat. He was 2 at the time and couldn't say that his throat was hurting. he woke up one morning with a rash from forehead to toe and I went in Panic to the Pedi office. When she said Scarlet Fever I thought the world was coming to an end. Who knew penicillan would be the cure. If only the people back in the 1800's knew that.

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