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It's very scary. It seems some of the children didn't receive antibiotics and were initially thought to have a virus.
I feel like I was rather lucky that we saw a young, recently qualified doctor who wasn't reluctant to prescribed antibiotics.
Same old story with the NHS. You have to go back multiple times to be listened to and sadly it’s often too late. We hear of it all the time with cancer.
SF is going round my sons nursery, with two reported cases of Strep A there as well. Makes me not want to send him in!
He’s non verbal as well so it’s even harder for me to know if he’s unwell as he can’t tell me! Keeping all eyes on him for anything unusual as I’m a worrier
He’s non verbal as well so it’s even harder for me to know if he’s unwell as he can’t tell me! Keeping all eyes on him for anything unusual as I’m a worrier
Emphasis on yet.
Australian researchers commence Phase I strep A vaccine trial
Researchers at the University of Alberta and Griffith University have commenced a Phase I trial to analyse a potential strep A vaccine.
Is it media reporting or what the hell is going on here? Do children die from this most years?
Yes sadly every year there are a few deaths, this year it seems like the number is above usual so they are unsure if its a random blip or if there are other factors (likely). One theory is that because of lockdown children's immune systems are out of whack and also these type of illnesses are running more rampant than usual after being surpresseď when mixing was limited.
There are other reasons though imo, the main one being the state of the NHS and also the global supply chain following lockdowns etc (and for us exasperated by brexit). The NHS is beyond breaking point, it's tricky as of course parents should seek medical advice if they are concerned, but honestly the system cannot handle it- there needs to be restraint and an understanding of the symptoms and thresholds too. The fact is doctors and other HCPs are so thinly spread that the reality is that things are missed and thresholds for admission etc are higher; that said, now its known this a national trend there will be more caution applied. The shortage of antibiotics is in several countries not just ours, its only in some areas so you'd hope they would put something in place logistically but they won't.
I'd say keep an eye out and be mindful of symptoms, get checked if worried and although it's scary if caught early it's usually easily treatable.
To add: having worked in children's healthcare for too many years (albeit not anymore) there are lots of nasty things about every winter- RSV is another big one this year. There is lots of advice on the NHS website and some trusts have apps you can download to see what symptoms to look out for and where to get checked out.
I think whats causing panic is there have been accounts of parents seeking medical intervention early and have been sent home only for their child to deteriorate and die. Which you've highlighted as the NHS being overwhelmed.
Is there any truth to the claims that covid has had an impact on T cells? I'm sorry I don't even know if you'd be able to answer this, but maybe someone will.
To be honest sadly it's been an issue for many years, having worked in children's A&E amongst other places for years we have seen children who are very poorly- the parents then explain that they have been to see the doctor several times and they have said its viral and nothing they can do. Of course many times this is actually the case, but I'd put being dismissive of childrens symptoms and health in the same league as what women face in healthcare which is scary. The shortages etc are making an existing issue a lot worse, but with this now there is guidance to have a very very low threshold for prescribing antibiotics just in case, so children should be safer in this regard.
I'm not sure I'm afraid, it's not unusual for illnesses in childhood to cause long term issues so it wouldn't surprise me if there's at least something in it. RSV for example can cause lung scarring or be thought to cause asthma to develop. Not to scare people, but the effects of a novel virus are bound to have caused issues for some.
I 100% beleive its the lack of doctors ect that's causing this.
I was really poorly back when swine flu was rife, I phoned 111 and was diagnosed with chest/ear infection over the phone but I actually had glandular fever. Ive been left with ME/fibromyalgia because of it.
Obviously mine was the opposite, I was given antibiotics when I shouldnt have been. These children though are probably told its viral and then it gets to far and antibiotics dont work
I was really poorly back when swine flu was rife, I phoned 111 and was diagnosed with chest/ear infection over the phone but I actually had glandular fever. Ive been left with ME/fibromyalgia because of it.
Obviously mine was the opposite, I was given antibiotics when I shouldnt have been. These children though are probably told its viral and then it gets to far and antibiotics dont work
Many of the children did see doctors though but were dismissed as it being something viral, shortages absolutely don't help but there are deeper issues. Sorry to hear that, glandular fever is absolutely savage and something a lot of people aren't aware of.I 100% beleive its the lack of doctors ect that's causing this.
I was really poorly back when swine flu was rife, I phoned 111 and was diagnosed with chest/ear infection over the phone but I actually had glandular fever. Ive been left with ME/fibromyalgia because of it.
Obviously mine was the opposite, I was given antibiotics when I shouldnt have been. These children though are probably told its viral and then it gets to far and antibiotics dont work
Honestly this is all so scary to me. This is the third week my daughter is ill and she finished a 5 day course of amoxicillin and eye drops yesterday as she had an ear infection, swollen tonsils and Conjunctivitis. She’s still not herself and back to weepy eyes, saying her ears and legs hurt and is so tired and upset. I took her to the gp this morning and he couldn’t have been less interested. Her tonsils are still swollen and her eyes were watery but he said she’s completely well. By this afternoon her eye that he didn’t even look in properly is constantly gunky she’s got a temp and is very tired. I called back and he’s now given her another course of antibiotic eye drops, but his advice for everything else is if she’s still unwell in a few weeks to bring her back in. When I spoke to the receptionist she said on the notes he told me to take her back in if she gets a sore throat which is not true.
Sorry for the rant but it’s just a horrible situation to be in.
Sorry for the rant but it’s just a horrible situation to be in.
Thats what im saying, their seen or their parents are spoken to over the phone and are told its viral.
I beleive some chemists are doing strep A tests? If not Id take her to A&E and request one.
A couple of days before the first reported death for strep A, my little girl developed symptoms of scarlet fever after being in contact with another case (unknowingly). We couldn’t get a GP appointment so after trying and trying, we tried to take her to the walk in but it was a ridiculous 8 hour wait. We ended hp resorting to taking her to a pharmacy as she was miserable and quite poorly. They gave her a very quick check over, ignored our concerns and said it was viral and refused to diagnose scarlet fever even though she had every symptom listed! They said there was nothing to suggest except giving calpol. Luckily my little girl perked up after a few days but it’s so scary to think what could’ve been and possibly purely due to the fact we couldn’t get her seen anywhere!
I had a booked appt with the out of hours gp last Saturday at the hospital and we waited 3 hours to be seen. Our A&E dept is rammed. I have to get her prescription in the morning so hopefully we are able to get her a test
There's a whole heap of guilt placed on people seeking medical attention too. Nobody should feel like they have to apologise for being ill or feeling worried about their ill child. I really feel for the NHS though, overworked, underpaid, strikes imminent.
My child has recently had strep a and it started off like any other illness , with a temp and general malaise. ( and earache in our case, an ear infection was initially suspected) , then came the swollen glands and distinctive tongue.
During this time , mdeesy eldest and I have had a virus.
I do understand their caution as there are also about a million other illnesses a child could have. But there is a reliable test for strep a , so these should be utilised
I'm not sure if the invasive group a strep that has caused the deaths starts of the same as everyone else , then gets in the blood stream due to lack of treatment, or if it's invasive from the outset and that's just how it affects some people.
During this time , mdeesy eldest and I have had a virus.
I do understand their caution as there are also about a million other illnesses a child could have. But there is a reliable test for strep a , so these should be utilised
I'm not sure if the invasive group a strep that has caused the deaths starts of the same as everyone else , then gets in the blood stream due to lack of treatment, or if it's invasive from the outset and that's just how it affects some people.
I followed the covid thread closely during the early days (and later days actually). What others have said is 100% true. There are not enough nurses and doctors to take care of our poorly children. Covid didn’t seem as scary for the children, whereas this seems to target them.
all I can say is if you have doubts and you are being fobbed off by professionals, ask for a second/third/fourth opinion. Follow your instincts and push.
all I can say is if you have doubts and you are being fobbed off by professionals, ask for a second/third/fourth opinion. Follow your instincts and push.
We’ve had 2 cases at school of scarlet fever. Had a public health letter out as it’s classed as an outbreak.
My son is sue to go to a pantomime with the school this week, 1200 children from all different schools in a enclosed space as it’s all school children visiting on this day. It’s making me really worried to send him. I expressed my concerns to a friend and literally had my head ripped off that it’s all scare mongering and I’m so mad about it.
What are peoples thoughts on me sending him? If I don’t let him go then I’ll be his number one enemy but… safety first?
What are peoples thoughts on me sending him? If I don’t let him go then I’ll be his number one enemy but… safety first?