Post viral rash or something else?

[TheChicOfIt]

DS (19 months) has had a bad cold/cough for over 2 weeks - took him to the nurse on Thursday and she said to just persevere with it a bit longer.

Over the weekend, his cough seemed to get a lot worse, we were all awake most of the night Friday and Saturday, but yesterday he seemed a bit better.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed some red spots on his legs, ankles, wrists and the back of his neck.

When I got him up this morning there are more spots on his back, and the ones on the inside and back of his legs have become huge red blotches.

Any ideas? I have made an appointment with the GP for lunchtime.

[charitymum]

Assuming that it turns white when you tug the skin (i.e. does not look like little bruises) and he is otherwise well then it could be post viral hives. Is it itching him?

[ThisBoyDraculaDrew]

Could it be Scarlett fever? A slighlty bumpy sandpapery rash which is worse in the hot folds (armpits, behind knees etc.) The only reason that I mention it is that scarlett fever almost always follows a strep throat - whcih could have caused his cough?

If there is any chance it could be SF he will need Anti-biotics as it is a bacterial infection with the risk of complications if left untreated.

[TheChicOfIt]

Thank you for your replies - GP said it was a classic non specific viral rash, which obviously meant he did not have a bacterial infection so no antibiotics.

He did give me some Alupent (orciprenaline) syrup for his cough, which I was sceptical about working, but he actually slept the best he has done probably since he was born!!