Hi, I am wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with measles. My little boy (3 yrs old) has had a low grade temperature for about five days now. After about two days he started getting a rash that started at the top of his neck and now goes all the way down his back and over his shoulders onto his chest. He is lethargic and tired, with a loss of appetite. He says that his mouth hurts too. I took him to an urgent care today (I live about an hour away from our pediatrician) and the doctor looked at him for about 10 seconds and then said to give him some benadryl and some tylenol. I appreciate that urgent cares are busy but I was kind of bummed that he didn't look more closely at him. I have another son that is 18 months and I am 14 weeks along with baby #3. I did some research online and it seemed like a ton of the symptoms that were listed matched what my son has. The picture of the rash even looked similar.
In the reading I did it talked a lot about how dangerous measles can be to an unborn child. If I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be freaking out so much. But, because I am prego I feel like I need to make doubly sure that we don't have measles in our house.
So, does anyone know much about measles or have any advice to share?
Thanks so much for any help or words of wisdom.
Thanks so much for everyone's advice. I think he has roseola. I talked to his pediatrician and he thought it was that as well. Thanks for the tips and experience. It is always so nice to hear about other people who have had similar experiences.
I had measles as a child in the 50s and mine started on my stomach. If he becomes eye sensitive to light, then it really could be measles especially if a fever appears.Sounds like a rash otherwise.
Hi A. -
Did the Dr tell you it was measels? It sounds more like chicken pox to me. The typical alopathic answer to chicken pox is benedryl and sometimes calamine lotion for the rash - because of the itching. You didn't say whether you son was itching or not. The only time chicken pox are contageous is when the person is running a fever - so by the time they actually break out, they are over that period. My daughter had them when I was pregnant with her brother and it did not cause any problems.
Because chicken pox or measels are viral infections, you can try some anti-viral herbs and treat it from the inside out. You can also look for an herbal salve or cream to rub on the rashy areas to help stop the itching.
I would suggest you visit your local herb shop (if you don't know where one is, write back & I will see what I can locate for you). The herbalist on staff should be able to point you in the right direction.
Some examples of anti-viral herbs include: Aloe, burdock, calendula and goldenseal. Aloe vera gel will help dry up the bumps, calendula is soothing to the skin and can also be used internally along with the burdock & goldenseal. Burdock is a cleansing herb & goldenseal will boost the immune system.
Hope this helps,
M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Do you have a hospital close by? Did you call your pediatrician and ask him about this? If you are so concerned why didn't you call his doctor to begin with? Use some common sense here. Did the urgent care Dr. tell you it was measles? Could he have been having a reaction to something he is allergic to, that would be one reason the Dr. recommended the benadryl, or just because of the rash? I would get him and your other child to the doctor even if it is an hour drive, he can probably get you in.
Sound like it could be roseola.
Hi A.,
The good news is that your son will 'never' have it again. My daughter had it just after she turned one and my son got it at 8 weeks.
Good luck with baby #3.
You are probably immune to measles. You were most likely vaccinated against them. I would do what you can to get him better quickly. Lots of juice and water, rest and vitamins etc. Tylenol and Benedryl like the doctor recommended. Do what you can and that is all you can do. Although, I get furious at docs who rush and don't take things seriously, they also usually know measles when they see them. Good luck!
Has he been checked for Kawasaki Disease? My son had it and it needs to be diagnosed prior to day 10. It's rare, but not that rare and his started w/ a body rash and fever that would not go away. Then he had what looked to be a 'Strawberry tonge', followed by what looked to be pink eye in both eyes. There is other stuff. But if you look at it online it will show you all the symptoms- and if he has only 5 of the symptoms they will treat him accordingly. I'm soooo not trying to scare you, but instead trying to get you back into his Peds Dr. and not just Urgent care. This is very 'treatable' and not life long- They should call it syndrome not Disease... Please keep me posted and best wishes... K.
My baby had roseola (sp?) recently--measles like disease. The only thing was the fever and the rash, pretty mild over all... So it wasn't the measles. It's so hard to tell from the internet; we thought measles then ruebella and then the dr. Confirmed roseola--it's mild. There aren't any flu symptoms with it, just fever for 4-5 days and followed by rash that clears up in about the same amount of time. The fever never exceeded 102. Go see another dr. If you are concerned it's more serious than that. The fetus may be fine if you don't actually get it, i think, but maybe call your ped and ask. Good luck, S.
I have a one year old little girl and she had the same thing, her Dr. say's that it was Roseola. Fever for 3-5 days and then a rash will appear for 3-4 days. Heat and sun seem to ittitate the rash. She very fussy and tires easily and of course doesn't want to sleep so it's been pretty rough! Her Dr. also said that it's extremely contagious, so they can catch it anywhere. My husband and I did not catch it. In talking to other moms most kids catch this and are fine within 7-10 days.
Hope this helps! I feel for ya!
Did he have his MMR vaccine @ his 1 yr checkup?
