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Has Strep Throat Infection And Fever. Diagnosed With Mouth Foot Virus. Has Blood Spots On Face And Arms. Suggest?

Posted on Thu, 18 Jul 2013

Question: my son has a strep throat infection took him again to dr due to his fever wouldn't go down then she discovered he has mouth foot virus but im noticing he has little I guess blood spots on his face and arms not much my concern is this isn't leukemia she tells my no it could be from infection need a second opinion im very nervous
forgot to mention 2 months ago he had an ear infection fever lasted 3 days with these infections can they be a sign of leukemia
also how many infections does my son need to get to get a blood work dr doesn't think its necessary

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

Hi,

I understand your son is diagnosed to have foot mouth disease and you are worried about leukemia. However based on the information provided, I do not think this would be leukemia.

LEUKEMIA causes decrease in immunity, and it leads to persistent infection. In general, at least four of the symptoms given below would be present in a case of leukemia.
1) Fever and night sweats.
2) Headaches.
3) Bruising or bleeding easily.
4) Bone or joint pain.
5) A swollen or painful belly from an enlarged spleen.
6) Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin.
7) Getting a lot of infections.
8) Feeling very tired or weak.
9) Losing weight and not feeling hungry.

If any four of the aforementioned symptoms are noted, then you can opt for blood tests which would give us clues about leukemia.

Please relax, this looks like a normal infection, you child is NORMAL all the way.

I would appreciate you asking more question about you concern.

Hope this is assuring. Please feel free to contact me.

Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

Just got back from Dr he has scarlet fever due to the strep throat they did blood work they say due to the strep throat he white counts were low if I understood right they reassured me it wasn't cancer... is this normal
It's states on top leukemia causes lots of infections but he has ear infections now strep mouth and foot now scarlet fever is his immune system low

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (40 minutes later)

Hi,

Welcome back, let me explain by what they mean by scarlet fever due to strep infection.

STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES - is a bacteria that produces an toxin known as "ERYTHROGENIC TOXIN" which gives redness which you have seen on face and arm of you son. Such things has fever associated with infection and hence the name scarlet fever (scarlet= red/scar like)

Now getting infection with strep throat is pretty common in children as well as adults, most of the soar throat we as adult faces are strep throat, and antibiotic will take care of it.

Addressing about the blood cell count - they say the count are low.
Now NOTE:- leukemia is a condition where the count are high and are of abnormal types of blood cell found, hence that confirm, that you son don't have "LEUKEMIA". Please relax, and calm down its a normal situation, young children are more affected as they have low immunity and immunity improves as age advances.

Now "leukemia causes lot of infection" is only one part of equation, the other part of equation is "must have high blood cells and that too must have abnormal cells in the blood (cancer cells)" , which is not present in you son's blood report. Hence, its more then enough evidence to say that their is no LEUKEMIA.

More over the kids are more at risk of getting infection due to naive immunity. Hence forth we require them to have vaccinations.

Hope it helps to clear confusion, still feel free to contact me for any further clarification on which ever way you feel comfortable.

Thanks again.
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vasanth

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (8 hours later)

Thank you for the response but I was reading low blood count can also cause be caused by cancer or am I wrong....
Also he refuses to eat anything his a picky eat to start with I'm very worried
Here are the results can u explain I'm reading the report lymphocytes are high it's 82.6 isn't that cause for leukemia
Please help goin through lab results w b c is low hgb low hct low mpv low neophils low lymphocytes high monocytes low eosinophils low I'm reading this is all a sign of leukemia
I know I'm writing too much everyone says no to leukemia so why are the blood results stating otherwise losing my mind need to know the chances are low or high please help

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (4 hours later)

Hi,

Welcome back.

1) The blood count is low only lymphocytes are high - this means that the body is in active state of responding and lymphocytes are the for most cells will start a fight against the bacterial / viral invasion in the body. So, nothing to worry in that sense. Body's immune system is working as it supposes to be working.

2) Now about low "HCT" is caused by having fewer amounts of Red blood cell indicating anemia, and most of the anemia is caused due to picky eating habits, not getting enough iron supplements in diet may lead to such conditions. Proper diet habits or external supplements may be given to correct such problem.

3) Now, about low neutrophils can be seen in case of Infection, low b12 in diet, due to some harsh antibiotics may lead to such condition. Again, the proper diet habits or external supplements may be given to correct such problem.

4) Monocytes and eosinophils are low but nothing to worry about; they are only high in long-term infection like T.B / ALLERGIES. So all its normal.

5) Lastly coming back to leukemia - As I said you child do not have leukemia.

LEUKEMIA- has too many things that need to be running hand in hand, you are seeing isolated, stuff and worrying about it. First condition to even consider it leukemia is (1) ABNORMAL blood cell needs to be seen.

The low and high blood count are associated with multiple other issues and cannot be pinpointed to be a definitive evidence for leukemia, it’s just a part of condition but need to be associated with abnormal cells (cancer cells) to be seen in blood report. We do not have any such condition hence, nothing to worry in such in part of leukemia.

Feel free to contact me for any further clarification.

Thanks
dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

The blood count would be wbc and hgb blood work that it talking about from what I sent earlier yes my son is a very picky eater that eats selected foods working with Dr on that sorry for so many questions just need clarity on some stuff due to his father side of family has a history of cancer thank you for answering and having patience with my many questions

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (8 hours later)

Hi,

I understand how hard it is on you.

Based on the new information about the family history of cancer, does put you kid at little bit risk of having cancer, but let me state the fact that on 1/16 of the genes from XXXXXXX father side relative" are present, which is not much. If his father has a cancer that the risk changes to a high degree but as such the family history is not much of a concern as compare to 1/2 of the genes are shared between kid and father.

Therefore, in present condition the child is not having leukemia. There is 1/16 risk of developing leukemia in the long run but the risk is too small to be worried at this point in time. So please relax, give yourself a break about worrying from fear of having leukemia.

Hope this fact will help ease worry. Feel free to contact me for any further clarification.

Thanks again.
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (16 hours later)

Hi doctor just got a call from my son dr she wants to redo all blood work due to shes worried about the resultsthst i gave u .u say no leukemia so why the
blood work again
I know i sound crazy but now im worried more then ever she says if bloodwork comes out the same to would send my son to a blood specialist. I know you resaasured me its not leukemia hut what is the possiblity
Plus she didnt mention it can be anemia she just made it sound serious and im goin crazy over this

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

Hi,

Welcome back.

Their are multiple reasons they may want to recheck the blood work.

1) Their might be an error in drawing the blood / the preservation chemical may have some issues on previous attempt.

2) Their is something they may not have told you but want to confirm it prior telling you for sure.

3) They simply want to see any changes that may have occurred after medication was given.

About anemia - Yes low Hemoglobin / Low Hematocrit, is indication of anemia. As per the report you mention in the prior query.

Well I did mentioned the chances are about 1/16 th, with family member history is positive. Still further investigation needed to confirm a case of leukemia like "Bone marrow biopsy".

I can't say for sure what is going on, you need to have further clarification from your physician, and ask them about their line of thought regarding the same. As per the blood report information you did provide me, I do not see any hint indicating leukemia. But their may be more to it as far as I don't have any access to medical history or reports from previous workup. Your physician is the best person to say for sure what is going on.

Advice:-Please ask for clarification to you physician and please stay calm and co-operate with the physician to help her to come to some conclusion.

Thanks again, still feel free to contact me in case of any concern.

Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

Thank you for answering but shes says not to worry to wants to see if their are chances at hospital they told me no need for concern it was due to a virus she says shes a little worry if its somrething they should just tell me in your opinion what is the chances the blood work wont change in your opinion its likely not leukemia as the hospital informed me thank u for ur patience
Plus all i have said are facts that i was given as far as blood work also how long does XXXXXXX rash last also is the rash strep throat fever an indication for the disease
Another question how long does symptoms of leukemia start before theres an indication that there is a problem

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)

Hi,

Welcome back, I completely understand your concern and I am here to help you in which ever way you need a help by answering your question. Please feel free and no need to thank me for doing my job. If I would be feeling in similar way if I would be in your shoe.

Now about the scarlet rash and fever, YES the rash is indicative of infection and it usually starts subsiding around 6th day from the antibiotic treatment. If no treatment given it may take up to 2 weeks to heal on its on.

Now about the symptoms and indication for LEUKEMIA
Following are the symptoms
1) Fever and night sweats.
2) Headaches.
3) Bruising or bleeding easily.
4) Bone or joint pain.
5) A swollen or painful belly from an enlarged spleen.
6) Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit, neck, or groin.
7) Getting a lot of infections.
8) Feeling very tired or weak.
9) Losing weight and not feeling hungry.

The time varies depending upon type of leukemia. There are strict waiting period of symptoms with leukemia.

Hope above answer is easy enough to understand. Feel free to contact me for further clarification if in need.
Thanks again.
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (8 hours later)

In your opinion i know u dont have any of my sons records but you think the blood results were due to his infection as i was told in hospital and there was no concern as i was told... the only thing with my son is he has always been a picky eater. His first year never really got sick

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

Hi,

Welcome back.

Kids tend to be picky eaters, their are gummy bears which has vitamins in it. You can try giving them as supplement. As gummy bears enriched with vitamins are kind of candy so most kids won't have trouble having them. Thats what I do with my kids. Make sure you only give them as directed on the bottle, as to much is also harmful.

More over feeding them with milk is great substitute for mosts of other issues.

You can find gummy bears with vitamins in local CVS/ walmart / walgreens.

Hope it will make your life easy.

Thanks again, and feel free to contact me.
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (1 hour later)

Thanks for answering did follow up blood work waiting for results now she requested uric blood sample what is that for still nervous

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (2 hours later)

Hi,

I understand you being nervous, it is a difficult time for you. I am here to answer you concern and try to ease you nerves. Please feel free to contact me when in need.

Uric blood sample means they wants to know the amount of uric acid present in blood.

Uric acid is elevation is associated with long list of diseases as follow. We need to be sure on what line you doctor is thinking before jumping to any conclusion and feeling worried about the same.

1) Acidosis
2) Alcoholism
3) Diabetes
4) Gout
5) Hypoparathyroidism
6) Lead poisoning
7) Leukemia
8) Nephrolithiasis
9) Polycythemia vera
10) Renal failure
11) Toxemia of pregnancy
12) Purine-rich diet
13) Excessive exercise

Please be calm yes above list does include leukemia, but their are several other reasons the doctor needs to get that uric acid test, so its very important you physician's line of thought.

Thanks
Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

But everything goes back to what I hope it's not the other on list his too small to have u said abnormal cancer cells in the above where I mentioned his results that is losing abnormal or same thing
I meant if low cells the same as abnormal sorry

Answered by Dr. Jay Patel (3 hours later)

Hi,

The low count does not mean having abnormal/cancer cells. Low count means cell are normal but little less in number than normally found.

In other words, it does not mean to be cancer cell.

Thanks
Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E