16 answers

Is It Just Roseola?

My son is 11 months old as of yesterday. Last Monday we went swimming for the first time at a friends house. He got NO water on his face, and was in a shaded float. On Wednesday he suddenly had a fever of 101. It lasted until Saturday when he didn't wake up with one at all. The highest it got was 102.2, and we kept him on the Motrin and BABY TYLENOL per his pediatrician to keep the fever down. By the end of Saturday night, his chest and back was covered in a splotchy rash. Over the weekend it spread to his face and just slightly to his arms. His fever has not come back at all. He's also had a little cough, but it doesn't sound bad. And he's been very sleepy. When he woke up this morning, thank goodness, the rash has almost completly disapeared! i just want to make sure this is NOT the measles. Is there any sure fire way to tell the difference between the Measles and Roseola. He has not had any vomiting and just had a very light case of the runs that went away after day 2. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks!!

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So What Happened?™

Thanks everyone so much for the advice!! and just so everyone knows, I did not give him aspirin, he had baby tylenol...I just didn't know how to spell "acetominophin" I thought they were the same thing...I still don't think my spelling is right...lol But he seems much better now. Thank you all so much! Sorry to confuse the tylenol with aspirin! 8)

Featured Answers

Could be fifths disease. Two of my younger children just had this. Rash on face and a lace like rash on arm, legs, and chest. They had the rash for two days and then were fine.

I know my daughter sometimes gets a rash when she is getting over a virus. I asked the doctor, and he said it's really normal for viral infections to cause a rash right when it seems like the kiddos are getting better and healing. Chances are he had a viral illness, and the rash is just letting you know he's on the mend!

But... if you're worried, go ahead and take him to the doctor. That's what they're there for. Also, I know a lot of people say aspirin instead of tylenol just out of habit of speech, but aspirin should never be given to little ones. Good luck!

More Answers

One of my children is just a little fish. I always say I need to look for his gills, he loves to swim...always has, and he's only 7yrs old. The bad thing is he is allergic to chlorine & exhibits the same reactions you have mentioned...fever included, everytime he gets in a chlorine pool. And just a teasppon of chlorine water down the hatch causes diarreah. I give him benedryl right after swimming, and that tends to help (before would make him too drowsy to swim for my comfort). Perhaps your little one is the same.

Do not give asprin it is very dangerous. Tylenol or motrin only!

We recently battled Roseola - of course we didn't know that's what it was until the high, high fevers went away and the rash appeared. She was fine when the rash finally appeared. But I'd say the only surefire way to tell what it is or isn't is to see a doctor.

My daughter had the same things a little over a month ago. I was worried about it being something serious as well. I went to the doctor and she said it was just a viral rash. She said it is common in young children and there is nothing you can give them to make it go away, you just have to wait about 5-7 days. She said to give her Tylenol if her fever got high (102-103) and to give her Children's Benadryl if the rash is bothering her. If the rash starts to change color (turn purple) then call the doctor and let them know. However, if you want to put your mind at ease, call the pedi and make sure everything is okay.

My 18-month old had Roseola last week, of course I did not know for sure until this past Saturday when I took her to the doc's office. She had high (consistent) fever for 3 1/2 days with diarrhea. I alternated Tylenol & Motrin to treat the fever (which was right on schedule every 4-6 hours). She didn't eat or drink much during this time. On the 4th day she started the tiny red dots on her forehead and hairline, then by the 5th day she was covered! I took her in to the doc just to confirm that it was not scarlet fever (because she had strep throat 2 weeks prior to this), which is a much more serious virus because it could lead to other serious issues. They confirmed that her throat was fine, the strep culture was negative so it was definitely Roseola. The doc said that there is really nothing you can do for Roseola. If they are fussy, its because the rash is making them uncomfortable. BUT - if your baby boy has a sore throat, I would take him in just to confirm it is not something more serious.

I hope he feels better soon. It is so hard to watch them when they are so lethargic.

D.,
It could be nothing, but it could be something. How was he tonight? Did any symptoms come back? These symptoms could also be strep throat. The symptoms can be weird sometimes. If he has any symptoms tonight I'd consider at least calling a nurse in your pediatricians office tomorrow morning. If he has fever I'd get your baby to the doctor for a little check.
P.

Am I the only one that thinks it's strange for a pediatrician to recommend Aspirin for a baby? I thought these days we didn't do aspirin for little ones due to Reye's syndrome.

Just wondered..........

It actually sounds like it could be Fifth's disease. Esp if you notice the rash reappearing when he is hot, or in a warm bath tub. It is sometimes also called "slapped cheek disease" because it literally can look like someone slapped them. But my kids have had it on their arms and backs as well. It usually shows up after the fever, just like your sons did. I would watch for a few more days to make sure, but it sounds like it is getting better. Sometimes kids get viral rashes too, mine have done that. Finally, one last thing to consider, if he is still not feeling well, would be strep throat. My daughter had the fever first, nausea and sleepy next, and finally a rash appeared the day we took her to the dr. He said by the time we got her there, she was bordering on having scarlet fever, which I guess is what happens when strep goes for too long, but she never complained about her throat. Again, my fist guess is Fifth's disease, but these are the other possibilities I have seen in my own kids. Good luck!!~A.~

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