newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 12, 2015 23:23:58 GMT
My 5 year old came home early from school on Tuesday. He said he stomach hurt and when we got home I checked his temp, it was almost 102. He continued to have a fever (from 101-103.7) and still complained that his stomach hurt, right on his belly button. No energy, no appetite.
Thursday he woke up to more of the same, but with nose congestion added in. We saw his Pedi that afternoon. The dr said his throat was red when checked, but my son didn't complain of a sore throat. He had a rapid strep test done and it was negative. He felt that with the high fevers, stomach pain and red throat it most likely was strep and didn't want to wait for the culture to come back (since it was almost the weekend) before starting on an antibiotic.
He prescribed an antibiotic and we were on our way. Thursday at dinner he had his first dose.
When I woke him from nap on Friday, I noticed that he had a start of a rash, but this morning his body looked to be clearing up and he had small patches on his cheeks under his eyes.
Last night I checked him around 9:30 and he was drenched in sweat, cooler than he had been in days and his temp was 97.5 At lunch time today he was looking flushed, starting to have chills (which he has had a few times since Tues). Took his temp and it was 99.5 Checked his temp again at 2:30 and it's back up to 101.6
Neither of our kids have had strep throat so I don't know what is common (or uncommon for that matter). How long does the fever typically last? Should I see some improvement after 2 days on antibiotics? Do I need to try to be patient and give the antibiotics time to work?
I plan on calling the on call doctor after my son wakes from nap.
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SabrinaP
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Post by SabrinaP on Dec 12, 2015 23:27:36 GMT
Sounds viral to me. When my DS has strep (he had it 7 times in 9 months before having his tonsils out) he always rebounded within 24 hours of antibiotics. Viruses always went like you describe, up and down and hang on forever. Hugs. Hope your DS feels better soon.
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back to *pea*ality
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Dec 12, 2015 23:32:18 GMT
Call your pediatrician now, could have gone from strep to Scarlett fever.
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Dec 12, 2015 23:44:20 GMT
You said the strep test was negative yesterday, that means he could have a virus instead of strep. If it is a virus the antibiotics won't work at all. The treatment for Scarlett fever would still be antibiotics. BTDT. Has he ever been on antibiotics before? If so did he respond well? My best guess would be to wait until tomorrow unless he gets much worse tonight. If it isn't strep it could take several days to run it's course. You know your child best, if you don't feel comfortable call your doctor or take him to ER.
Hope he feels better soon. Having a little one sick is tough.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Dec 12, 2015 23:53:48 GMT
I don't have kids, but in my experience once you get started on antibiotics you usually start feeling better almost immediately.
As mentioned above the antibiotics won't help if the problem is viral.
I have no advice but I hope your little guy feels better soon.
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Trixie Bender
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Post by Trixie Bender on Dec 13, 2015 0:37:01 GMT
I'm sorry your little guy isn't feeling well.  I love being a mom. Except when my child is sick. I hope he starts feeling better soon and both of you can get some rest. |
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caro
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Post by caro on Dec 13, 2015 0:49:51 GMT
My kids had strep a lot. One always had the stomachache and fever but sometimes no fever.
Have you smelled his breath? It's usually putried with strep.
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Post by littlemama on Dec 13, 2015 0:54:34 GMT
Nasal congestion is not part of strep, but a severe sore throat is. I do have a friend with a child who exhibited stomach pain when she had strep, but I've never known of anyone else with that symptom. I think antibiotics as horribly overused and I don't like the idea that the doctor prescribed them with no proof of needing them.
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Post by bdhudak on Dec 13, 2015 0:58:23 GMT
Retest for Strep- probably needed another day to be positive. This happened to my daughter. There gave been viruses my girls get and fever will be low in mornings and spike in afternoon for a week. Always trust your gut you are your childs advocate.
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Post by mandasue on Dec 13, 2015 1:01:22 GMT
Strep can definitely cause a rash. did they test for the flu?
Our ped never prescribes meds without a confirmed diagnosis. I am suprises yours did. I would call them back.
You can also look in his mouth and see if you can see white spots mine always get those with strep.
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 1:17:29 GMT
The pedi went ahead and ordered an antibiotic so he could get started on it while waiting on the culture. He got it done Thurs afternoon and it probably wouldn't be back until Monday or Tuesday.
He gave us two options.. Wait for the results of the culture or start on the antibiotic. Maybe we should have said wait, but our child looked miserable and felt miserable. If it would help him feel better we were willing to try. I can't even remember the last time he even was on an antibiotic.
I may have jumped the gun a bit. He woke up from nap feeling (and looking better). No fever yet, just lots of congestion. Poor kid can't even blow his nose it's so stuffed. Saline rinse isn't really helping either, but we're going to keep up with it.
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 1:20:04 GMT
My kids had strep a lot. One always had the stomachache and fever but sometimes no fever. Have you smelled his breath? It's usually putried with strep. Ohhh goodness, it did smell horrible yesterday, but it doesn't smell bad today. I thought I was gonna keel over! |
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 1:21:53 GMT
Oh and another positive.. He is in his room playing with toys. Why is that such a big deal you ask.. He hasn't played with toys since Monday! He has either been laying on the couch or in his bed.
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 1:22:52 GMT
Strep can definitely cause a rash. did they test for the flu? Our ped never prescribes meds without a confirmed diagnosis. I am suprises yours did. I would call them back. You can also look in his mouth and see if you can see white spots mine always get those with strep. No, they only did the rapid strep test. |
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caro
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Post by caro on Dec 13, 2015 1:31:29 GMT
Oh and another positive.. He is in his room playing with toys. Why is that such a big deal you ask.. He hasn't played with toys since Monday! He has either been laying on the couch or in his bed. I would say the antibiotics are working. |
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caro
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Post by caro on Dec 13, 2015 1:35:08 GMT
Many times my kids' rapid test would be negative but cultured would be positive but by then they would be on antibiotics. And rash is common with strep but also common with mono and meningitis. Just keep watch. Push fluids, Popsicles etc.
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Post by scrapqueen01 on Dec 13, 2015 1:56:42 GMT
With my dd congestion was never part of strep. Fever, sore throat and a tummy ache were usually the signs.
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Trixie Bender
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Post by Trixie Bender on Dec 13, 2015 1:59:06 GMT
The pedi went ahead and ordered an antibiotic so he could get started on it while waiting on the culture. He got it done Thurs afternoon and it probably wouldn't be back until Monday or Tuesday. He gave us two options.. Wait for the results of the culture or start on the antibiotic. Maybe we should have said wait, but our child looked miserable and felt miserable. If it would help him feel better we were willing to try. I can't even remember the last time he even was on an antibiotic. I may have jumped the gun a bit. He woke up from nap feeling (and looking better). No fever yet, just lots of congestion. Poor kid can't even blow his nose it's so stuffed. Saline rinse isn't really helping either, but we're going to keep up with it. I think most parents would have made the same choice! |
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 13, 2015 2:03:54 GMT
I used to get strep a lot. I didn't get a cold or the flu, just strep. The day I started the Z pack I felt better. By the next day I felt much better and within two days I was good to go. I didn't have any symptoms other than being tired and a very sore throat. The medication always helped.
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trollie
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Post by trollie on Dec 13, 2015 2:25:26 GMT
Sounds like a virus to me. Poor kid. Hope he is better soon.
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Post by scrapmaven on Dec 13, 2015 2:33:52 GMT
My sister had strep a few years ago and it progressed to Scarlett fever. I panicked until she told me that she switched antibiotics and was much better w/in a couple days. Sounds like the antibiotics are working. If not, don't be afraid to call the doctor this weekend and get a new script. Your little guy will be better in no time.
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 13, 2015 2:49:06 GMT
Strep can definitely cause a rash. did they test for the flu? Our ped never prescribes meds without a confirmed diagnosis. I am suprises yours did. I would call them back. You can also look in his mouth and see if you can see white spots mine always get those with strep. No, they only did the rapid strep test. It sounds like he's doing better. Yay! If you were told the culture would be back Monday or Tuesday, the culture is also for strep. The thing is that those rapid tests often don't catch strep if it's the beginning of the illness. And often kids get a cold and strep at the same time. Honestly, it almost sounds like he has the flu. Maybe with strep on top of it. I'd keep him on the antibiotics and keep an eye on him pretty closely for the next 24 hours. If the fever doesn't come back, I'd say you are over the hump. If he still has a fever tomorrow, I'd call again on Monday. |
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Dec 13, 2015 2:53:23 GMT
My kids had strep a lot. One always had the stomachache and fever but sometimes no fever. Have you smelled his breath? It's usually putried with strep. I remember when my daughter came Home from college. I thought she had strep and she insisted that no, she did not. The next morning I walked into her room and said immediately, you have strep. I could smell it in the room |
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hmv_ladybug
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Post by hmv_ladybug on Dec 13, 2015 2:53:39 GMT
I used to get strep quite often when I was in my preteens/teens. Rapid test always came back negative but the culture was always positive. My ped always started me on antibiotics even though the rapid test was negative. I think it usually took me 36-48 hours on the antibiotic to start feeling better. The last few times, it started with a simple sneeze and a sudden sore throat and I'd have a fever of at least 101 within 10 minutes.
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Dec 13, 2015 3:04:18 GMT
PS - the recommendation to change toothbrushes after strep really is necessary. Ask me how I know...  |
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 3:29:24 GMT
PS - the recommendation to change toothbrushes after strep really is necessary. Ask me how I know... Ugh! The pedi did mention that. Sorry that happened to you! We have him a new toothbrush the day he started antibiotics. Was that too soon? If we need to change if again, at what point? |
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 3:31:00 GMT
No, they only did the rapid strep test. It sounds like he's doing better. Yay! If you were told the culture would be back Monday or Tuesday, the culture is also for strep. The thing is that those rapid tests often don't catch strep if it's the beginning of the illness. And often kids get a cold and strep at the same time. Honestly, it almost sounds like he has the flu. Maybe with strep on top of it. I'd keep him on the antibiotics and keep an eye on him pretty closely for the next 24 hours. If the fever doesn't come back, I'd say you are over the hump. If he still has a fever tomorrow, I'd call again on Monday. Thanks!! |
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sweetpeasmom
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Post by sweetpeasmom on Dec 13, 2015 3:46:21 GMT
Here's our story -
DS was 3. Went to the ER for a lump on the side of his throat the size of a peach pit (it was after 11pm and this is what the dr told us to do). ER ran strep test and it came back negative but to be on the safe side (given his symptoms) he was given antibiotics and a steroid shot (for the swelling in his throat). This was on a Tues night/Wed morning. The following Tues, he woke from his nap around 1:30 and his fever had spiked again. Called the dr and they said to bring him in. From the time he woke up to the time we got there was maybe a little over an hour. The dr came in and lifted up his shirt to listen to his heart. There was a splotchy rash all over his torso. She immediately said he has mono. The mono combined with the antibiotics brought out the rash. We were sent to get the blood test. Came back positive for mono. In the meantime, while waiting for the test results, we were to stop the medicine.
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Post by Basket1lady on Dec 13, 2015 4:09:08 GMT
PS - the recommendation to change toothbrushes after strep really is necessary. Ask me how I know... Ugh! The pedi did mention that. Sorry that happened to you! We have him a new toothbrush the day he started antibiotics. Was that too soon? If we need to change if again, at what point? Toss his toothbrush in the dishwasher. I used to do this when my kids were little. Now they use the Sonic brushes--$$$. But they don't get sick as often, either. |
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newlywoods03
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Post by newlywoods03 on Dec 13, 2015 4:32:27 GMT
Here's our story - DS was 3. Went to the ER for a lump on the side of his throat the size of a peach pit (it was after 11pm and this is what the dr told us to do). ER ran strep test and it came back negative but to be on the safe side (given his symptoms) he was given antibiotics and a steroid shot (for the swelling in his throat). This was on a Tues night/Wed morning. The following Tues, he woke from his nap around 1:30 and his fever had spiked again. Called the dr and they said to bring him in. From the time he woke up to the time we got there was maybe a little over an hour. The dr came in and lifted up his shirt to listen to his heart. There was a splotchy rash all over his torso. She immediately said he has mono. The mono combined with the antibiotics brought out the rash. We were sent to get the blood test. Came back positive for mono. In the meantime, while waiting for the test results, we were to stop the medicine. Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! Does mono cause a super congested nose? Did the rash continue to get worse? |
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