Strep questions

[BeeRae22]

My PANS dd had/has mycoplasma (and suspected Bart) triggers, so strep is newer for me.

 

I think ds has strep. Sudden sore throat Friday -18th, fitful sleep (crying out, etc. all night) low grade fever over weekend. No congestion or cough. Small rash on neck yesterday morning- red bumps. More significant rash on chest, stomach, back and groin last night. Red patch on roof of mouth, red and inflamed tonsils, white bumps and coating on the back of his tongue. Light rash on cheeks this morning, has faded a bit now. --side note, son had very unusual/atypical anxiety episode this weekend-- please see my other post.

 

regular pediatrician today. Rapid strep was negative and she was ready to send me away, saying "it must just be a virus" and that she couldn't (wouldn't) treat with a negative test. Ds was panicking/anxiety ridden about the swab, and she barely got in his mouth- I have to question the validity of that one. So I pushed and got her to do another swab to be sent out. Again, I don't feel confident that she really got the swab in the back of his throat the second time either. She barely looked at the rash, if at all. (It was light, but it's there-- and now the bumps are raised). So, we're waiting for the culture.....

 

Question- are there viruses that mimic or look like strep???? Because from everything I'm reading, and the images I looked at of scarlet fever from strep, looks a whole lot like strep to me.

 

Should a virus with these symptoms just be ignored? Is a typical diagnosis either strep or a virus that can/should be left untreated?

 

Ds is eating and drinking okay. Has complained of stomach ache tonight several times, but otherwise seems ok. Had low grade temp of 99.4 most of the day. Gave him large dose of Motrin to sleep.

 

Looking for opinions on what I should do if the culture comes back negative as well? Watch and see? Take him to a walk in and see if I can get them to give him something??

[dcmom]

IMHO no harm in treating him for strep. Go to walk in- tell them strep is going around class. Tell them you are seeing lots of people for Christmas and very concerned about spreading it. Hopefully they will help!

[cynditk]

yes, i agree with above. Also you could try testing for perianal swab- my son never tested pos for throat but always pos on perianal. and they could run titers if open to that. but for practical purposes above would prob work. the rash sounds like it could be rheumatic fever- i would definitely treat!

[BeeRae22]

And of course, the culture came back positive. Every once in awhile I do know what I'm talking about now dd is flaring.... Ugh. So disgusted that this pediatrician was going to send my son away untreated 2 days before Christmas with strep... Way overdue in finding a new pediatrician!