I'll start this by saying DS is vaccinated. Had his first shot at 9 months. Due for his second MMR at 18 months (currently 15 months). But vaccinations are not as widespread here, so these viruses are more common.
He was a little warm on Wednesday, so I stayed home with him on Thursday to let him rest. Fever never got above 99 until that night. He was doing ok the next morning, so we sent him to daycare (he only goes 4 hours a day). Just I was leaving work, I got a call from them saying they think he has measles. He was covered in spots when I got there.
Doc says it's most likely rubella or a strep infection. We have antibiotics ready to give him but are hesitant to give them unnecessarily. He's doing ok; fever never gets very high, and we've been giving Tylenol and Advil whenever it creeps up or if he seems too uncomfortable (going on 4 days of this now). He's certainly a little under the weather, but not terribly sick.
Rash started on Friday afternoon and he's still covered. Rubella is typically know for a 3-day rash. Doc says his throat is very red and irritated but no white spots.
Would you give antibiotics to treat strep or wait it out longer? Anyone have experience with something like this?
The doctor didn't do a test? Can't they test for strep so then you could treat it right away? I'd be hesitant to give antibiotics that aren't needed, but also hesitant to not treat a systemic strep infection if that is what it is. I would ask for a blood test or something to confirm the diagnosis.
Post by barefootcontessa on Nov 30, 2014 11:01:55 GMT -5
did they not swab his throat? I would not give abx without a confirmed diagnosis. I am sorry you baby is sick. Hopefully since he has part of the series it will be mild.
I wouldn't do the strep antibiotics unless I knew it was strep. Our ped has both a rapid test and the culture that takes 24 hours, so hopefully you could get a quick answer. If they don't do rapid strep tests, is there maybe a walk-in urgent care where you could get the test done today? I hope he feels better soon!
Post by pierogigirl on Nov 30, 2014 11:28:13 GMT -5
I'd get a strep test first thing in the am. DS1 had scarlet fever and had to have 2 rounds of antibiotics to get over it. His only symptoms were fever and rash.
I feel stupid for not asking for a strep test on Friday. Blerg. The less proactive medical system here is a blessing and a curse
You should not feel stupid. I certainly question why the doc thought it might be strep but did not test for it. That seems really odd. Is that common there?
Post by sillygoosegirl on Nov 30, 2014 14:21:48 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they can also test for rubella, though I'm not sure that impacts care, so it may not be indicated (since the MMR is bundled, it doesn't even get him out of needing the rest of the vaccine series unless he somehow got sick with all 3). I'm somewhat confused why they wouldn't at least have tested for strep. But then again, testing for strep before (or at least concurrent with) prescribing strep antibiotics is an ACA quality measure, which probably means it isn't done as widely as it should be...
The ACA has very little effect on what a doctor in South Africa does. I'm guessing he thought rubella because there's an outbreak currently that he saw a bunch of kids with.
Ok, we just got back from the ER. He was getting really upset and wasn't eating or drinking so i got nervous that it was strep. Tried to give the antibiotics and he puked them up. So we got in the car and went to the ER.
As we were standing at reception he puked a ton all over both of us. He was sobbing. I'm so glad we were already there because DH is out of town and i would have been a wreck driving after that.
Anyway, doc saw him and said his throat and ears look fine. No strep. He said it might not even be rubella. Could just be a reaction to a virus. By then DS was much calmer and even babbling and pointing. Doc says just keep him rested and keep up the pain/fever relievers.
I'm glad i went in. Especially since it was 8pm and not 2am tonight. Now i can rest easy knowing his throat isn't closing or something terrible.
I'd probably wait it out and avoid pregnant women (rubella isn't a HUGE deal unless you get it when pregnant).
Thank goodness we are waiting a few more months before TTC. I can't imagine having to be separated from DS or having to live in fear for my unborn baby.