10 month old with blotchy rash on face - is this rubella?

[MuffinMclay]

DS had a very mild rash on his face yesterday, and I didn't think anything of it. Today it is worse, but is not really bad - you'd only notice it if you were right next to him. It comprises lots of tiny reddish bumps, mostly on the cheeks, some on the forehead, and doesn't seem to be itchy or bothering him. He has got a bit of a cough and cold, which may or may not be related.

Does this sound like rubella/german measles? I've tried to contact hv but only get an answer phone.

It sounds like Slapcheek (fifth disease) which ds2 had about a month ago.

this it?

I don't think it is quite as red as that, but I can't quite tell from the picture (and ds is asleep in his room at the moment - could do with holding him next to the picture).
Is that a GP thing? I don't want to go and do the 'paranoid mother' rountine yet again if there's no need.

Just looked at the symtoms of slapcheek in 'What to Expect: the First year' - flushed cheek, sore throat, pink eyes, fatigue, mild fever, itching. I don't think he's got those. I'll check his temp when he wakes up, but he doesn't feel hot to the hand.

My dd1 had suspected rubella at the same age. But there are so many illnesses that have exactly the same rash. I'd go to the GP as I think they like to know what is going around and with a rash on a little one it's always a good idea to get seen. Rubella can be so dangerous as you know, it's best to get some idea.

Second the GP idea. I think it's always a good idea to get them checked over by a GP if you are at all worried. Stuff the paranoid mother bit - that's what GPs are there for!

If the rash is still there when he wakes up I will phone the GP. I guess that makes more sense than worrying about it or trying to self-diagnose.
He had chicken pox when he was born, which went from nothing to very serious rather quickly, so better safe than sorry.

Muffin, slightly off topic but did you have immunity from CP when ds was born? Only my dds got CP days after ds was born and he got it v. mildly - I was told it was b/c I'd had it - if not it could have been serious like for your ds. Must have been so scarey for you.

Glad you're going to the GP - bet you anything it's a 'viral rash' - usually is IME!

Nearlythree - I'd had chicken pox as a child, so they assumed I was immune.
Ds got a few spots withion an hour of being born, and 4/5 hours later was in a scbu isolation unit with all sorts of horrible tubes and wires attached to him. It was very scary indeed, especially when he crashed twice. We weren't allowed to hold him for the first couple of days, and could just observe from the other side of the room. A week later he was fine. Feels like another lifetime now.

Well, I made a GP appointment for later. Bet you're right about the viral rash!

How awful for you! I wonder where the exposure came from - it sounds liek you must have been carrying it? We knew that dd1 had been exposed to CP about a week before ds was born, so she couldn't come to see me in hospital (I was in for 10 days before ds was delivered.) Although I knew I was immune I never really believed the hv when she said ds would be fine - he was of course, but I still feel we were very lucky. And I think he'll get it again some time. Glad your ds is well now, we nearly lost dd1 at birth so kind of know how it feels.

Hope all goes well with the GP and that your ds gets better soon!

Just been to see the GP. Turns out that DS has a throat infection, and the rash is an eczema type allergic reaction to the puss on his throat.
He had been poking inside his mouth but I just assumed that was because he is teething .

Glad you all persuaded me to go to the GP. Hopefully he'll be right as rain after a few days of antibiotics.

Poor little mite.
Hope he feels much better soon (and glad you do too!)

Oh, yuk, poor little guy. If it's any help the abs tend to work extremely quickly IME. Never heard of pus causing a reaction like that!