Strep throat

[Austin Prefect]

If someone has a sore throat and needs antibiotics, but also has a red rash but no fever. Could this be scarlet fever? Middle aged woman not a child.

[OIC]

Bit more detail required, but (confirmed) strep throat infection needs to be treated and eradicated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further issues including Rheumatic fever.

Adults can be affected.

So .....

Is it confirmed (via swab, blood culture) strep infection?

Is the affected individual on antibiotics?

When did the rash appear?

Are any medics involved in the management of this?

Tonsills in or out?

[Austin Prefect]

OIC said:

Bit more detail required, but (confirmed) strep throat infection needs to be treated and eradicated with antibiotics to reduce the risk of further issues including Rheumatic fever.

Adults can be affected.

So .....

Is it confirmed (via swab, blood culture) strep infection?

I think so, I'll ask to confirm.

OIC said:

Is the affected individual on antibiotics?

Yes, penicillin.

OIC said:

When did the rash appear?

Monday

OIC said:

Are any medics involved in the management of this?

Yes, a GP.

OIC said:

Tonsills in or out?

Out.

[OIC]

Rash before or after starting penicillin?

Is she symptomatically improving (i.e. is the throat better, does she feel OK)?

As it's now the weekend your options, if concerned, are 111 / A&E.

111 will probably suggest A&E anyway.

Penicillin should work in 24hours if it's going to work, so feeling worse 1-2 days into a course is usually a good sign that you need a different antibiotic, or it's viral.

Allergy to penicillin is not that common with modern preps, but it's worth making sure she's had Pen before and been OK.

Bottom line is get seen by a doc if there are concerns.

Better to be a worried well patient than an acutely fubared late presenter.

[Austin Prefect]

OIC said:

Rash before or after starting penicillin?

Is she symptomatically improving (i.e. is the throat better, does she feel OK)?

As it's now the weekend your options, if concerned, are 111 / A&E.

111 will probably suggest A&E anyway.

Penicillin should work in 24hours if it's going to work, so feeling worse 1-2 days into a course is usually a good sign that you need a different antibiotic, or it's viral.

Allergy to penicillin is not that common with modern preps, but it's worth making sure she's had Pen before and been OK.

Bottom line is get seen by a doc if there are concerns.

Better to be a worried well patient than an acutely fubared late presenter.

Rash before the penicillin, the first symptom in fact.
Pharmacist consulted on Tuesday before the sore throat really cut in. Suggested anti histamines and consult GP if no better in a couple of days.
Throat got painful late Wednesday and rash about the same.
GP seen Thursday morning and prescribed 10 days worth of penicillin. First dose taken last night (Thursday). No improvement as yet but we'll see what tonight brings.

My question was based on curiosity rather than concern. The rash looks nasty but isn't itchy or painful and doesn't look like a scarlet fever rash, more like an allergy related rash.. She's never had a rash like that before so it's almost certainly connected with the throat pain.

[fourstardan]

Is our NHS this bad you need to consult here lol.

You can get strep tests online quite easily.

[Austin Prefect]

fourstardan said:

Is our NHS this bad you need to consult here lol.

You can get strep tests online quite easily.

The question being asked is not 'where can you get strep tests easily?'

It's, 'given that someone has been diagnosed by an NHS GP as having Strep throat, would this explain an accompanying rash?'

[fourstardan]

Austin Prefect said:

The question being asked is not 'where can you get strep tests easily?'

It's, 'given that someone has been diagnosed by an NHS GP as having Strep throat, would this explain an accompanying rash?'

Go an ask your GP again then?