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Children's health

Does this sound like rubella?

16 replies

blondissimo · 09/07/2009 17:27

Ds, 12 months, fever started middle of night/early Monday morning - absolutely burning up, took him to GP yesterday who said he had very red throat, very grizzly and has now developed rash that started behind the ears and is now all over top of head and forehead, back of neck, torso and groin area. Temp has started to go down a bit and also off his food slightly.
Have just called GP to let them know in case it is and there were any pregnant ladies there yesterday. Waiting for a call back but just wanted to see what the mners think!

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sarah293 · 09/07/2009 17:35

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blondissimo · 09/07/2009 17:41

Yes I initially thought measles but apparently rubella starts as a rash behind the ears, which is what happened with him. It says on nhs direct not to take him to the surgery, but how do they diagnose it? Suppose I will just need to be good at explaining!

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LucyMinter · 09/07/2009 17:43

Second Riv.

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LucyMinter · 09/07/2009 17:44

Rubella isn't normally that bad ime...but I might be wrong obviously. Poor mite

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blondissimo · 09/07/2009 17:49

Well he seems ok in himself, now that the fever has subsided a bit. Currently laughing at Chuggington. I just have nooo idea where he got it as he's not at nursery and we rarely socialise with other kids... (god that sounds so sad!!)

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blondissimo · 09/07/2009 18:05

Doctor called and said that could just be a viral rash as apparently viral rashes and rubella rash are very similar and that none of the doctors at the surgery have ever seen a case of rubella. Didn't realise it was that uncommon to be honest. Anyway there is no way of knowing but she says that if he seems a bit better in himself then just carry on nursing him better. Do you think I should tell people I have been in contact with just in case or is that just scaremongering?

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GrapefruitMoon · 09/07/2009 18:24

Has he got little bumps behind his ears? DD had a viral rash at that age which was possibly rubella - again the doctors had very little experience of the real thing but she had these bumps behind her ears (glands?) and one gp said that was a classic sign of rubella...

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blondissimo · 09/07/2009 19:28

Haven't really looked that closely behind his ears, but that is where the rash started and he has been pulling at his ears for the past week. Also pulls away if I try to look behind them, so I'm guessing it's a bit sore, possibly due to glands being up.
I do wonder how they know that they haven't seen cases of rubella, if the rashes are so similar. I've heard that the only way of detecting it is by blood test, which I'm sure no-one would want to put their child through.
The doctor did seem sort of 50/50 on what it was but was confident that he was on the mend as the rash always comes at the end of the virus, whatever it is.
I'm no medical professional, but the description of rubella on the nhs website exactly matches my ds's symtoms.

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blondissimo · 10/07/2009 16:01

Now I am worrying in case it is measles.
Does anyone on here know how common measles is these days?
He had seemed a bit better but is still very lethargic and has a slight cough.
I feel like I am coming down with something too.
I know I've had either rubella or measles but don't know which - and my mum can't remember either!

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LucyMinter · 10/07/2009 16:08

Measles is on the up at the moment.

If he still doesn't seem well, maybe you could take him again - mine had measles at 10mo and had an ar infection from it - the pulling at his ears might mean he has one of these. Important to get it checked xx

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LucyMinter · 10/07/2009 16:08

ear sorry

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blondissimo · 10/07/2009 16:42

Thanks Lucy - I will see how he is and will definitely take him back if no better. He is fine one minute - playing etc, then the next minute he is leaning his head against me and rubbing his eyes. He is also very tetchy and irritable.
Is there treatment for measles and how long did your lo take to get over it?

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LucyMinter · 10/07/2009 16:57

I can't remember how long it took - but he did have to have antibiotics for his poor ear

There's no treatment for the actual illness itself, apart from to possibly supplement vitamin A and protect their eyes from bright light. Not sure why - again, best to talk to your GP. Hope he is better soon.

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blondissimo · 10/07/2009 19:36

Aw, poor thing. Tried calling the GP surgery but think they all went home early as no reply! Then tried NHS direct but they are overrun with swine flu and I was on hold for 15 minutes.
I wasn't that worried about it being rubella, but I've heard there are a lot of complications that can occur with measles. I am sure it is measles that I've had, but I don't seem to remember there being that much of a fuss about it when I was little (or maybe my mum hid it well!). I seem to remember pretty much everyone got it though. I could be wrong though.

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bruffin · 10/07/2009 19:57

When I had rubella when I was 13 the first thing the doctor felt for was lumps behind my ears. You can't see them but feel a big lump.

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blondissimo · 11/07/2009 12:17

Well when he got up this morning, the rash had merged into red blotches all over his face and chest. I went out at 9am and got back about 12 midday and ds and his dad had had a really long sleep for 1hr40mins. Now the rash has almost disappeared on his head and face and is minimal on the chest. He also seems much happier.
Fingers crossed he is on the mend!