Tuesday, December 16, 2008

SCARLET FEVER!!!!

What do you think of when you first hear the words Scarlet Fever? I, for one, think of a terrible, terrible illness from the 1800's. I also think that it's extremely rare!

Well...guess what?!?!? It IS definitely rare and it WAS definitely a tragic illness in the 1800's but even though it is extremely rare ... my baby "S" has somehow gotten SCARLET FEVER...weird, hun?!?!?

Scarlet Fever: Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria make a toxin (poison) that can cause the scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name.

Symptoms...
~fever 101-104 for 3-5 days...CHECK
~full body rash...feels like fine sand paper...CHECK
~strawberry red tongue...CHECK
~very red cheeks...CHECK
~sore throat...CHECK
~feelin' just plain yucky...CHECK

We have no idea where she got it from because we've pretty much been home bound. I am sooo glad I kept the 3 youngest one's home from church Sunday.

Concerns...
~highly contagious during fever
~incubates for 3-5 days
~rash lasts up to 10 days then followed by peeling :(
~possible side effects of SF...pneumonia, impetigo, meningitis...uuggghhh (these are rare though...LOL)

So, needless to say, this stinks! Please pray that our sweet "S" heals quickly and that no one else gets it...hey, a girl can hope, right?!? I will say that my God is totally capable of protecting the rest of us and that's what we are praying for.

UPDATE: I just got a call from my sister and my niece has SF, too. She called me earlier and my niece had almost all the same symptoms of "S". She took her to the dr. and sure enough...she's got it! We were all together on Saturday and both girls fevers started on Monday...uuggghhh!

11 comments:

Broken In Love said...

awh our poor baby!! we are praying for her!! love yah all

God's Girl said...

Oh... I'm sorry she is feeling yucky! She still looks as cute as ever! I'll pray for a quick recovery! How do you keep the other kids from getting it?

Lynn said...

Oh no! Chaislyn had Scarlet Fever last Christmas, we were at my in-laws in Nashville and had to take her to one of those immediate medical centers on Christmas Day! The "strawberry tongue" is freaky isn't it!

Sheri Nash said...

awe poor baby we are praying for her!

Wife of the Pres. said...

My niece had it once. My sister felt EXACTLY like you. She was scared and worried but C has been fine ever since and was a trooper through it all. Hugs!

Happiness In Numbers said...

We'll keep praying for her. Sorry to hear your niece has it also.

Unknown said...

Oh PRECIOUS DARLING! Her little eyes look exhausted!

My Blessed Life said...

WOW! We will be praying for her. She is still so cute.

2kidmommy said...

I had scarlet fever when I was little, of course, that was a bit closer to the 1800s! Hope S is feeling better soon and will be praying no one else gets it. We have the flu at our house and praying for quick recovery before family comes into town!

Bunch of Caves said...

WOW Stac I can't believe she has SF.
We will be praying for all of you.
Love you!

Sarah said...

Oh, sweet baby! I will pray that she continues to feel better.
Blessings,
Sarah