Help !

[Jacqui22]

Hi, I have just joined although I was diagnosed with fibromalgia in 2013. I have a few other conditions linked or separate from fibromalgia but on the whole i cope! I have a question... my Grandson has scarlet Fever! Would that send my fibro into Meltdown? Xxx

[Leonwp]

Welcome to the forum, i know it is very contagious but how dangerous to you im not sure. But i would hazard a guess that you dont want it. Hope you get more useful answers than mine from someone who knows a real answer.

Blessings

[BlueMermaid3]

Hello Jacqui22

Welcome to the forum

I can sense that you are extremely worried, so I will address your question immediately. However, please bear in mind that I am not a medical professional.

The thing that sends Fibro sufferers into a flare (or meltdown) is stress of any shape or form.

Feeling stressful will definitely heighten all of your Fibro symptoms.

I have copied part of the information from NHS Choices for you on the subject:

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash.

The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as group A streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat.

Generally, scarlet fever is much less common than it used to be but in recent years there have been a number of significant outbreaks.

For example, figures published by Public Health England show that from September 2013 to March 2014 there were 2,830 cases of scarlet fever. For the same period in 2014/15 a total of 5,746 cases were recorded. The reason for recent increase is unclear.

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever so that early treatment with antibiotics can be given.

Scarlet fever symptoms

Scarlet fever usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection, such as impetigo, caused by particular strains of streptococcus bacteria.

Initial symptoms usually include a sore throat, headache and a high temperature (38.3C/101F or above), flushed cheeks and a swollen tongue.

A day or two later the characteristic pinkish rash appears. It usually occurs on the chest and stomach before spreading to other areas of the body, such as the ears and neck.

The symptoms of scarlet fever usually develop two to five days after infection, although the incubation period (the period between exposure to the infection and symptoms appearing) can be as short as one day or as long as seven days.

The rash feels like sandpaper to touch and it may be itchy. On darker skin the rash may be more difficult to see although its rough texture should be apparent.

When to seek medical advice

Scarlet fever usually clears up after about a week, but if you think you or your child may have it, see your GP for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Your GP should be able to diagnose scarlet fever by examining the distinctive rash and asking about other symptoms. They may also decide to take a sample of saliva from the back of the throat so it can be tested in a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

There's no evidence to suggest that catching scarlet fever when pregnant will put your baby at risk. However, if you're heavily pregnant, tell the doctors and midwives in charge of your care if you've been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever.

How scarlet fever spreads

Scarlet fever is very contagious and can be caught by:

breathing in bacteria in airborne droplets from an infected person's coughs and sneezes

touching the skin of a person with a streptococcal skin infection, such as impetigo

sharing contaminated towels, baths, clothes or bed linen

It can also be caught from carriers – people who have the bacteria in their throat or on their skin but don't have any symptoms.

Who's affected by scarlet fever

Most cases (about 80%) of scarlet fever occur in children under 10 (usually between two and eight years of age). However, people of any age can get the illness.

As it's so contagious, scarlet fever is likely to affect someone in close contact with a person with a sore throat or skin infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Outbreaks often occur in nurseries and schools where children are in close contact with one another.

The symptoms of scarlet fever will only develop in people susceptible to toxins produced by the streptococcus bacteria. Most children over 10 years of age will have developed immunity to these toxins.

It's possible to catch scarlet fever more than once, but this is rare.

Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash.

The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as group A streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat.

Generally, scarlet fever is much less common than it used to be but in recent years there have been a number of significant outbreaks.

For example, figures published by Public Health England show that from September 2013 to March 2014 there were 2,830 cases of scarlet fever. For the same period in 2014/15 a total of 5,746 cases were recorded. The reason for recent increase is unclear.

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever so that early treatment with antibiotics can be given.

I don't know whether you have been in close contact with your grandson before he was diagnosed.

I hope some of this helps and serves to inform you a bit more about Scarlet Fever.

Wishing you much peace

Lu x

Administrator

[Janet28]

Hi Jacqui22 welcome to our wonderful forum ☺ I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you, talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro and learning from their experiences.

It does help with the whole process and I wish I had found the site years ago. I have had Fibro for nearly 30 yrs and I'm still learning about it, like we all are.

I see our lovely BlueMermaid3 has answered your question & hopefully you won't get it but as Lu says, stress is a massive trigger for a flare, so pls try not to worry. A child in my grandsons school had it last year but it didn't spread, thankfully. I do hope he recovers soon.

Please do go look at the mother site where you will find all the information you need and lots of useful links on Fibro and I look forward to chatting to you on the forum.

fmauk.org

Peace, luv n light

Jan ☺

PS. I advise you to lock your post to keep info safe from internet. Pls. follow this link to simple instructions .You will get more replies on a locked post too.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[bluebell99]

Hello Jacqui22 and a warm welcome to our friendly fibro forum where you can find help, advice, understanding and information.

If you are really concerned I would ring your surgery and ask for a nurse for information.

There is the NHS helpline, 111 but I think that is for emergencies only.

Hope the liitle one gets better soon.

Kay

[Jacqui22]

Thank you all lovely ladies for your help & info xxx look forward to chatting some more xxxx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Jacqui22

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

I can see that you have been given some wonderful replies so I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Jacqui22 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you for a lovely welcome x the reply have been sweet & helpful xxx

[TheAuthor in reply to Jacqui22]

Good luck my friend x