Help! - Troy,KS

Roseola is very common virus, that is contagious to children and infants early on in the viral stage.

The fever lasts about 3-7 days and the rash can last a few days. The only way to treat it really is to keep the fever down and keep the child hydrated.

"Until the fever drops, you can help keep your child cool using a sponge or towel soaked in lukewarm water. Do not use ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, fans, or cold baths. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help to reduce your child's fever. (Do not give Aspirin to children with fevers as it can be dangerous.) Let the child get plenty of rest.

"To prevent dehydration from the fever, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips, children's electrolyte solutions, flat sodas like ginger ale or lemon-lime (stir room-temperature soda until the fizz disappears), or clear broth, or breastmilk if still breastfeeding."

"Call the doctor if your child is lethargic or not drinking or if you cannot keep the fever down. If your child has a seizure, seek emergency care immediately." A seizure would be characterized by:

•unconsciousness
•2 to 3 minutes of jerking or twitching in the arms, legs, or face
•loss of control of the bladder or bowels

It is normal for a loss of appetite, the rash should not be itchy or painful and scarring is very uncommon. The onset of rash is a good thing... it means the fever is breaking. It's best just to leave the rash alone.

This link should help:

http://www.burpingbaby.net/roseola.htm
http://www.peoples-health.com/signs-and-symptoms-of-roseo...

I have 9 kids, and but the last 3 so far, have had roseola. Rash will go away on its own, won't scar, not that big of a deal. Just let it run its course. The only thing that would concern me, is if that rash AND fever linger,could be strep. He should break the fever and act normal even if he still has the rash (it shouldn't take long for the rash to leave).

Re: the fever and hydration... My daughter loves the Pedialyte Freezer pops and they seems to work real well in either stabilizing the fever w/med. and help bring it down. My pediatrician actually said they are better then water when dehydrated. I never had a problem of getting my daughter to drink ice water when she has a fever but I d notice as far as getting the fever down it seems to help more along with hydration of course.

The whole thing should be done around a two week stretch. I have been told since most children take measels shots that this is the next thing they could catch, but like the measels it will not permanently scar him but it may itch like crazy--you are doing the right thing with the oatmeal bath and lotion also you could put on him the same stuff you might use for ivy itchs--like caladrile or calamine lotions. keeping him cool seems to help too-so you might let himstqy inside more while he is still uncomfortable. His appetite will return too--and make sure you have all the healthy good stuff for him to eat.

The only thing that can happen life threatening with this is the high fever spike. Just keep him hydrated and keep cool compresses on him at all times. Never give him asprin... keep it to tylenol or ibuprofen.
The rash should not scar your precious little one. However, keep with the oatmeal and put some itch cream on the rash so he won't be too uncomfortable.
Remember this is a highly contagious virus. Keep him inside and away from others. When you go to the doctor, keep him away from the other children.

my son just had roseola, although, it was not as bad as your son's case. our dr said it could last possibly up to 2 weeks. oliver's only lasted about 5 days. he also had a decrease in appetite, and was a little crankier than normal, but other than that, he seemed fine. they suggested benedryl and tylenol. i did that for about 2 days. i think it looks a lot worse than it actually is. good luck :)
E. t