I took DS, Austin (6 yr old) to the Dr last night - he was complaining of an earache and a little sore throat - he'd had a fever the night before and a little one yesterday. Plus he started to break out in a rash.

The Dr put him on Zithromax antibiotic, a strong dose. The Dr said Austin had a very bad inner ear infection, his tonsils were swollen, he was very hot/fevered (although the Dr didn't check his temp), and apparantly the rash could be a sign of scarlet fever which is a type of strep. So the Dr said he would treat Austin for strep. He's on 5 days of antibiotics.

I told Austin he wasn't going to school today and he was very upset -- I had to explain that although strep is going around in his class and the school, he shouldn't go because he could get someone else sick. He was still upset, but I think he understands.

You wouldn't know he was sick -- he looks fine and is playing good. I feel bad keeping him home but I know I'm doing the right thing. The Dr said, strep is contagious - lots of handwashing to be done.

I think once he is done the antibiotics I will make a followup appt with our family Dr just to make sure everything is cleared up, especially the ear infection - I suffered from those when I was little and had to have tubes and my inner ear reconstructed. I don't want DS to have to go through that.

By Colette on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:05 am:

I hope he's feeling better. My kids, hardly ever, get strep. And when they do, it's usually not with a sore throat, so I don't recognize it. My oldest dd has progressed to scarlet fever a couple of times with it so I know what you are going through. The antibiotic should make him feel a lot better after 24 hours.

By Beth on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:12 am:

Poor guy. I hope he feels better. My dk's both had a rash when we were in Fl. They were both sick, and when got home my ds saw our ped here. He said a rash can also be caused by a viral infection. I had never heard that before.

By Happynerdmom on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:41 am:

I'm glad he's feeling better. The only good thing about strep is that the antibiotics work pretty fast!

By Tripletmom on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:54 am:

I hope he's feeling better soon(((HUGS)))

By Missymelissy on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 08:42 pm:

Thanks everyone -- he's saying he's feeling better. His rash is less visable.

Does anyone know how long he's considered contagious?