Okay, DD is nine and in the middle of the night Thursday (technically early Friday morning) she awoke with a fever of about 103 and threw up two times. She said her head and throat hurt badly. Friday morning she said she was better but her head still hurt. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday she had fevers of about 99.5 off and on, and still occasionally complained about her head and throat. She was pretty much functional and still played and was active, but tired easily. She also had no appetite, altho she never threw up again after those first two times.

On Monday she was all better. Now today, Tuesday, she has a rash all over her neck, chest, and back, and her face is blotchy.

Any ideas?? Since she is nine I'm thinking it can't be one of those typical toddler illnesses, but who knows!

By Jann on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 07:30 pm:

I am not one to call the doc at the first sign of fever, but since this is kind of odd, I might give the phone nurse a call and see what she says. Then the two of you can decide if you want to take her in.

By Clarabel on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 09:50 pm:

Since we just went through a measles scare, and it turned out to not be measles,(Thank you!)
I know a thing or two about rashes now.

If the rash is very raised and pimply, it can cause concern for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, things like that ...

With my ds we were told it is something called Echovirus, which can cause vomiting and is common this time of year.
He did not have the vomiting, he had a respiratory thing.
If the rash very raised and pimply, it can cause concern for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, things like that.If it is a light, smooth rash that turns white when you press it, it could be Echovirus, Roseolla maybe.

I would take her in.

I hope it clears up soon and it's nothing serious.

By Kaye on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 12:52 am:

I think your dd has strep. Take her to the doc for testing. Look at her throat, not the tonsils, but the soft palette in front of the uvula, is this spotted, like pink freckles?

By Karen~moderator on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 07:43 am:

I was thinking strep also.....

By Tunnia on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 08:45 am:

I'm also thinking strep. My dd (age 9) had something that sounds nearly identical to what you are describing and, much to my surprise, it turned out to be strep.

By Kate on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:16 am:

Thanks for all the responses. I am thinking strep, also. We had company from the moment her illness started, and this is someone my DD had really, really looked forward to coming, and so I think she really rallied and was way more functional than she would have been if it had been a normal weekend. If we'd had no company I'm sure she would have spent her days on the couch sleeping and complaining more. I guess that's why I didn't think she was so sick and this rash seems so surprising. Anyway, she has a 2:40 appt. this afternoon and they immediately suspected strep when I called and explained it all.

Tunnia, was your DD perfectly fine except for the rash by the time she had the strep test?

By Tunnia on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 01:15 pm:

She had no other symptoms after the first couple of days, except the rash she developed. She never even had a sore throat. That's why I was so surprised it was strep when I finally took her in on the third day of the rash.

By Colette on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 02:24 pm:

strep - that's scarlet fever you are probably seeing. My oldest has strep present itself like this. Strep untreated can turn to scarlet fever. I was horrified because dd had no sore throat. My dd has had it a couple of times in her life and each time I didn't recognize it as strep because her throat was fine.

The dr actually called a medical student in so he could see what scarlet fever looks like.

By Kate on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 04:56 pm:

Well, no strep, no fifth, just a virus! They said it's been going around. Oh well, she feels fine and since it's not strep we don't have to worry about heart damage from not treating it, so all is well! Thanks again!

By Kaye on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 01:16 am:

hmm...well good to know! I assume they did a culture and sent off and not just the quick test? Good to hear the doc wasn't concerned though, gotta love kids, always keeping us on our toes!

By Pamt on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 03:26 pm:

Glad she's feeling better!