Spots and fever - again...

[Zerub]

DD (16 months) is ill and I thought I'd ask your advice; last time this happened I took her to the doctor who was very nice but said "non-specific virus - take her home and wait for her to get better".

DD was grumpy on Wed & Thurs. On Fri she had a fine red bumpy rash all over her tummy/chest (disappeared under a glass ok). Fri afternoon she had a fever and was very sorry for herself. Sat morning was fine. Didn't want lunch and then in the afternoon - fever and sad listless baby again. Has developed big raised red spots on bum. V. disturbed night and then today (Sun) she is fairly happy but hasn't eaten anything. Red spots on bum have spread down to knees (but not blistering). Rash on tummy is fading. Also has red cheeks and is drooling for England. Is currently running around living room with a car shouting "brum, brummm".

So, oh wise mums - do I bother taking her to the doctors?

If it wasn't for the spots on bum and legs I'd suggest it was either slapped cheek (aka Fifth disease) or possibly Scarlet fever. Neither are really serious but scarlet fever needs antibiotics to prevent complications so I think you should probably see a dr. Both are very contagious and especially common in kids who attend some form of daycare. The other spots wouldn't really fit with either though... Chances are she is over the worst but I like to have my kids checked if any fever persists for 24 - 48 hrs. Perhaps NHS direct could advise you.

Thanks! All the spots are going down today. Another mystery illness, I guess!

And then yesterday she developed blisters on hands and feet... Doctor says its hand, foot & mouth disease but nearly finished. Another fine game of "guess the rash".

Be prepared. ...hand foot and mouth is usually accompanied with really bad mouth ulcers. My friend's ds got the ulcers a week or more after the blisters (despite the gp insisting that they come together). Not much you can do for them except mouth gel.