Strep and the Scarlet Fever

When we landed in Phoenix, Susie brought the boys to pick us up. I knew the minute I hugged Ethan that he had a fever and wasn’t feeling well. Here they both are asleep in the ride back home. Ethan never naps. Key indicator that he’s unwell, poor bug. Kelley and the boys got to town that day as well but Ethan slept most of the afternoon. I kept watching his symptoms and knew this was a different sort of sickness. No vomiting but no appetite or energy. Odd. The next morning I looked up strep symptoms online-it’s often present in his preschool class during the year-and they referenced the rash (scarlet fever). I looked under his jambes and sure enough, stomach and back and arms were presenting a rash. Ring, ring the doctor and she confirmed-Strep and Scarlet Fever. The rash is actually the bodies reaction to the toxin (strep bacteria). It once killed people in the early 20th century. Thank GOD for modern medicine!

I always associated strep with sore throat but he never complained about it. Not everyone does, I guess. Now I know what to look for. He was so good going to the doctor and we started his antibiotics. By evening, he was markedly improved. However, Tyler was showing symptoms of fever and was definitely not feeling well. At one point when I tried to console him and was explaining that he was sick, he yelled at me “No, I’m NOT SICK, MOMMY!!!”. Oh boy. It was his first time not feeling well and I swear he was able to mind-over-matter will himself not to throw up. He was on the verge and was disgusted at the sight of the “spit uppy bowl” that he threw it aside. OoooooK. Now I know the type of patient he is-yikes! Contrary to most doctor directives, I started him on Ethan’s antibiotics that night. They shared the script over the week and both were feeling well enough to play with the cousins after they were no longer contagious. They enjoyed doughnuts, park fun, and water fun in the yard. Will post cousin pics in  next post.

#scarletfever #strep