Urgent I think my son has measles

[suss]

DS is 12 months and has had quite a high temperature over the past few days, and dropped yesterday pm, he has been completely miserable with diaorrhea (apologies for spelling). Today a rash appeared on his chest,back, behind the ears and a little on his face. Has anyopne experiences measles and does this sound like it? Don't really want to call out the doctor if its german measles!

Best way if you ask me lockets-mild case that boosts immunity- mild because still has antibodies from you, and develops decent protection.

DS2 has been repeatedly exposed to chickenpox (latest this week- so waiting to see), never caught it. I never had it either, but have immunity (checked when pregnant). I reckon repeated exposures starting at 8 months (when ds1 had a mild dose) coupled with anitbodies from me at the time have prevented him getting it.

Steiner doctors (what;s the name of the movemnt? mind gone blank), reckon you're best off not vaxing against measles before 9 as its usually mild between the ages of 2 and puberty- and is rare for infants to get it. especially if their mothers have been infected. If you haven't caught it by 9 they recommend single jab or MMR. It made sense to me and is probably the route we'll follow with ds2 and ds3.

Lots around at the moment suss- I think your ds sounds too poorly for German measles (when ds1 had it he wasn't ill at all, ds2 may have had it at the same time and just had a snotty nose), but quite probably some other viral infection.

I thought ds2 had measles at one stage- complete farce, was called in to sit in a waiting room to breathe over everyone, then told it couldn't be measles as he was out of bed and with measles youa re "always" in bed for 3 weeks (hmmmmm not my recolleciton of having measles at all- basically doc didn;t have a clue).

I didn't see anyone when ds1 had rubella- didn't see the point in spreading it. He'd caught it from a confirmed case and it had come up within the right incubation period, so we sat at home climbing the walls!

OH and should have said- if you are worried about measles its a good idea to load up on vitamin A. Its in cod liver oil, but its not really recommended that babies take vitamin A orally unless uinder medical supervision - you could try rubbing cod liver oil onto the skin though- sounds a bit mad, but being fat soluble may be the best way to get some into a baby at home.

Hope your ds is feeling better soon.

I think their doctors views tend to coincide with mine- they're not anti orthodox medicine but they have a lot of trust in natural healing as well- then using orthodox medicine for more serious cases. I find I tend to agree with their views on vaccination (not anti but cautious). Thinking about it should consult one about tetanus jabs for the boys (think they are pro it as it enters the body through the natural route- a puncture wound!- not sure what they do now with no single jabs)

Actually suss I'll just check their recommendations for measles. Or I would if I could find the book. I think it was keep in a dark room to soothe sore eyes.

suss how is your ds today?

Sorry its taken so long to reply - it wasn't measles - but the doc said rash was v like it - just a virus. DB is now feeling much better thank you although now wants mummy to hold him all the time!! Thanks everyone.