Viral Rash (Child)

Symptoms

Viral rashes may be accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• Fever

• Decreased energy

• Loss of appetite

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Stomach aches

Sometimes a more serious infection can look like a viral rash in the first few days of the illness. This is why it is important to watch for the warning signs listed below.

Home care

The following will help you care for your child at home:

• Fluids. Fever and rashes both increase water loss from the body. For babies less than 1 year old, continue regular feedings (formula or breast). Between feedings, give oral rehydration solution (ORS). You can get ORS at most grocery and drug stores without a prescription. For children older than 1 year, give plenty of fluids such as water, juice, gelatin water, lemon-lime soda, ginger-ale, lemonade, or flavored ice pops.

• Feeding. If your child doesn't want to eat solid foods, it's OK for a few days, as long as they drink lots of fluid.

• Activity. Keep children with fever at home resting or playing quietly. Encourage frequent naps. Your child may return to daycare or school when the fever is gone and they are eating well and feeling better.

• Sleep. Periods of sleeplessness and irritability are common. Give your child plenty of time to sleep. 

• Fever. Use acetaminophen for fever, fussiness, or discomfort. In infants older than 6 months of age, you may use ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen. Talk with your child's doctor before giving these medicines if your child has chronic liver or kidney disease. Also talk with your child's doctor if your child has ever had a stomach ulcer or GI bleeding. Do not give aspirin to children or teens unless your child's doctor says it is safe. Aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child's doctor as advised.

When to get medical advice

Viral rashes often go away after a few days. But they may last up to 2 weeks. While your child is recovering, contact your child's doctor or get medical care right away if:

• The rash affects the eyes, mouth, or genitals.

• The rash becomes more severe rather than improving over a few days.

• Your child is getting sicker instead of better.

• Your child has a fever (see "Fever and children" below).

• Your child has rapid breathing. This means more than 40 breaths per minute for children less than 3 months old or more than 30 breaths per minute for children over 3 months old.

• Your child is wheezing or having trouble breathing.

• Your child has an earache, sinus pain, a stiff or painful neck, a headache, or repeated diarrhea or vomiting.

• Your child's rash becomes dark purple.

• Your child has signs of dehydration. These include no tears when crying, sunken eyes or dry mouth, no wet diapers for 8 hours in infants, reduced urine output in older children, or excessive sleepiness.

Fever and children

Use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Don’t use a mercury thermometer. There are different kinds and uses of digital thermometers. They include:

• Rectal. For children younger than 3 years, a rectal temperature is the most accurate.

• Forehead (temporal). This works for children age 3 months and older. If a child under 3 months old has signs of illness, this can be used for a first pass. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Ear (tympanic). Ear temperatures are accurate after 6 months of age, but not before.

• Armpit (axillary). This is the least reliable but may be used for a first pass to check a child of any age with signs of illness. The doctor may want to confirm with a rectal temperature.

• Mouth (oral). Don’t use a thermometer in your child’s mouth until they are at least 4 years old.

Use a rectal thermometer with care. Follow the product maker’s directions for correct use. Insert it gently. Label it and make sure it’s not used in the mouth. It may pass on germs from the stool. If you don’t feel okay using a rectal thermometer, ask your child's doctor what type to use instead. When you talk with any health care provider about your child’s fever, tell them which type you used.

Below is when to contact the doctor if your child has a fever. Your child’s doctor may give you different numbers. Follow their instructions.

When to contact the doctor about your child's fever

For a baby under 3 months old:

• First, ask your child’s doctor how you should take the temperature.

• Rectal or forehead: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher

• Armpit: 99°F (37.2°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________as advised by the doctor

For a child age 3 months to 36 months (3 years):

• Rectal or forehead: 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• Ear (only for use over age 6 months): 102°F (38.9°C) or higher

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the doctor

In these cases:

• Armpit temperature of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher in a child of any age

• Temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher in a child of any age

• A fever of ___________ as advised by the doctor