Hi,

Thank you for your query.

I can understand your concern when the temperature is not subsiding after 4 days of starting an antibiotic. I suggest that you consult the doctor and request for basic investigations which may guide towards the next course of action.

In the interim you can continue giving your son paracetamol/acetaminophen 4 hourly to reduce the temperature. If required tepid sponging should be done of the whole body to reduce the temperature.

I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction.

Wishing your son an early recovery.

Regards,

RKK

Hello, thanks for using HCM.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection with group A Streptococcus. It presents with fever, characteristic rash, swollen tonsils, painful throat etc and it has the potential of spreading and becoming a generalized infection (sepsis).
Cefdinir is a third generation cephalosporine antibiotic which is a broad spectrum antibiotic and Group A Strep is sensitive to it and not much of antibiotic resistance has been reported with Strep. Generally, antibiotic response to common infections requires 2 to 3 days before visible clinical changes can occur such as decrease in temperature, patient becoming more active, increase appetite etc.
In your son's case, its been four days since he started his antibiotic yet he is still having a fever which makes us to think that probably there is a problem with the antibiotic or there is another cause of the fever. Probable causes related to the antibiotic could be resistance, under dosage and and in very rare cases a side effect of the antibiotic. I will suggest you re-visit your doctor for re-evaluation and tests including throat swap for culture and sensitivity.
thanks