Mason has been sick for what seems like forever. I took him in last week thinking he had an ear infection, but he was just congested. Then, he had a fever at the end of this week and was sick all weekend. I guess because of infant cold strips, his nose got dried out and his nasal passages swelled up causing his to lose his balance. Now, to last night....he was up ALL night crying and miserable. I took him in today, of course, I have not been able to talk to my Dr. in days because other Dr.'s were on call this weekend, she hardly looked at him and said that he has roseola. Did I mention that he broke out into a rash this morning. I'm telling you, this has been rough! He is so miserable. I just don't know what to do for him. Is there anything? He's taking Tylenol and the Dr. said I could give him a little Benadryl. I'm not sure if we have any...off to check. Any advice would be so helpful.

By Pamt on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:02 pm:

Tylenol for discomfort, but other than that not much you can do. Roseola is viral and so his little system just has to fight it off. So sorry your little man is puny. The rash is one of the biggest indicators. My youngest DS had roseola when he was about 9 mos old.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 12:21 pm:

Tyler had Roseola as a toddler. Not fun! Pam is correct. Other than doing what you can to keep him comfortable, there isn't much you can do. Hope he's better soon! Poor little dude.

Roseola

By Breann on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 01:35 pm:

Ohh, yuck! My dd had that when she was a baby too. It just ran it's course and cleared up.

On the subject of sick kids, here is a good informative article about over the counter cold medicines for babies:

Cold Medicine Risky For Babies, Toddlers

(AP) ATLANTA More than 1,500 toddlers and babies wound up in emergency rooms over a two-year period and three died because of bad reactions to cold or cough medicine, federal health officials reported Thursday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned parents not to give common over-the-counter cold remedies to children under 2 years old without consulting a doctor.

The deaths of three infants 6 months or younger in 2005 led to an investigation that showed the children all had high levels of the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine, up to 14 times the amount recommended for children ages 2 to 12. The study found 1,519 ER cases from 2004 and 2005 involving young children and cold medicine.

The CDC said it's not known how much cold or cough medicine can cause illness or death in children under 2 years old, but there are no approved dosing recommendations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for that age group.

The American Academy of Pediatrics first advised parents in 1997 about the risks of complications and overdose potential with certain cough suppressants. Last year the American College of Chest Physicians advised doctors not to recommend cough suppressants and over-the-counter cough medications to young children because of the risks.

Dr. Michael Shannon, chief of emergency medicine at Children's Hospital Boston, said it's common, especially in the winter, to see emergency room cases of toddlers given cough or cold medicine.

"Pediatricians have for years, particularly for the last five years, been for the most part trying to dissuade parents from giving young children common cold preparations," Shannon said.

Dr. Michael Marcus, director of pediatric pulmonology, allergy and immunology at Maimonides Infants and Children's Hospital in New York, said, "The best thing (parents) can do is support with fluids and lots of kisses and time, because lots of infections are viral and will pass in a few days. The medications have a greater potential for harm than the infections you are trying to treat."

(© 2007 The Associated Press)

By Latonya on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:34 pm:

My oldest DS(Dylan) had it when he was about 6 months old. It just has to run its course. Just give him Tylenol or Motrin for the fever and discomfort and that is about all you can do. Just make him as comfortable as possibe and Benadryl will help if he is itchy. It is so hard when they are so little and having something like that. My youngest DS(christopher) just got over Coxsackie virus. I had never heard of it until he got it and he was running a fever and runny nose, coughing until he threw up and then broke out in a rash. It was the same treatment. Tylenol and Motrin for fever and Benadryl for itching. The Dr. also gave him a prescrition for the coughing and runny nose. {HUGS} to you and you poor DS. I hope he feels better soon.

By Eve on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 08:38 am:

Boy, this virus is tough! He *finally* slept through the night last night. Either that, or I was just dead to the world. I think the Benadryl made him sleepy, which is great! Today he woke up not screaming. He's not happy, but I'll take it! I need cold medicine, but I'm scared to take him out-he's all one big rash. LOL

I gave him childrens last time he had a cold, but can't remember how much the pharmacist told me to give. 1/2 tsp. like the Benadryl. Why don't I write these things down? LOL

By Debbie on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 11:26 am:

Oh Eve, I hope he is feeling better soon. My youngest ds had this, and it is miserable stuff!

By Dana on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 12:37 pm:

Once the rash appears he is no longer contagious and you are on the back side now of the ride. It should end soon. Hugs. We just had this last month.

My DD had it too when she was an infant.