Roseola or Measles?

[mamayogibear]

So I thought my son just had a cold for a few days Wed he started coughing and having a runny nose and then a fever from it Friday till Monday. No biggie right. Then today he started getting a rash around his ears, forehead and neck throughout the day it has spread everywhere but the palms of his hands and soles of his feet. So I called the Doc and they said oh that is Roseola I can make an appointment if I'd like. But rather than bringing my sick son into public I figure he's better at home nice and cozy.

But a few things are making me doubt it's just roseola. First he had a cough, runny nose and a overal cold for about two days before he had a fever. Also his tongue turned orange, I did not see any specific spots on the side of his mouth but the actual tongue was orange like he ate a popsicle but hadn't. And lastly the rash started around his ears, and neck not his chest. 

I'm wondering if this could be measles or not. I'm probably just overreacting but I really don't want to take him to the doctors since he seems happy despite his symptoms...I guess only time will tell if the spots just go away or if they darken up first. Also with measles does the respiratory part of it clear up before the rash shows up or would he still be coughing bad? He has been nursing non stop and has still been eating solids but not much at a time (like he's 8 or 9 months instead of one year old). I have also been giving him an eighth of a teaspoon of sodium ascorbate throughout the day since I read that is good for viral infections.

Any advice or thoughts is appreciated?

[ma2two]

Merck Manual on measles:

http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec23/ch273/ch273f.html

Merck Manual on roseola:

http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec23/ch273/ch273j.html

Of course, ignore the part that says to treat with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Those symptoms do not sound like measles because the rash started after the fever went away.

Edited by ma2two - 8/17/11 at 12:31am

[Marnica]

Keep in mind that there are dozens of viral rashes that kids get. My 3 year old has had several. Sometimes it's hard to figure out what's going on.

[mamayogibear]

Just to update. My son's skin cleared up nice and he is doing fine. However now I have a fever and am achy all over. So I guess I caught whatever it is from him which confuses me since I have been vaxed and assume I had roseola when I was young... Also I do not think his sister had roseola, the only rash she has ever had was an allergic reaction that was not accompanied by  a fever. Ah the mystery continues:)

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by mamayogibear 

Just to update. My son's skin cleared up nice and he is doing fine. However now I have a fever and am achy all over. So I guess I caught whatever it is from him which confuses me since I have been vaxed and assume I had roseola when I was young... Also I do not think his sister had roseola, the only rash she has ever had was an allergic reaction that was not accompanied by  a fever. Ah the mystery continues:)

Im glad he is better and sorry to hear that you are feeling unwell. However I don't think you should feel confused. As I said before there are dozens upon dozens of viral syndromes that kids/adults can get. There are no vaccines for them so whether or not you had been vaccinated would be irrelevant.