Rash, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have a rash with a fever?
See significance of a rash with a fever if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note: If you need information on how to take a temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your baby younger than age 3 months have a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher?
Yes Do you know or think that your baby younger than age 3 months has a fever but you are not able to measure his or her temperature?
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have a rectal temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher?
Yes Do you think that your child age 3 months or older has a very high fever, but you are not able to measure his or her temperature?
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have a fever and any other symptoms of a serious illness? Symptoms such as:
- Severe neck stiffness or pain and is fussy.
- Very sleepy and hard to wake up, or child is less alert.
- A bulging soft spot (fontanel) on a baby's head.
- Rapid, difficult breathing.
- Drooling and not wanting to swallow.
- Severe pain.
- Signs of moderate dehydration.
- Blue or purple skin or mucous membranes (cyanosis).
- New swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in one or more joints.
Yes Did your child develop a rash that looks like a sunburn within 2 days of the beginning of a fever higher than 102°F (39°C)?
Yes Does your child have a rash that looks like a sunburn within 2 days of the beginning a suspected moderate fever but you are unable to measure his or her temperature?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have a rectal temperature of 102°F (39°C) to 104°F (40°C) that has not come down after 12 hours of home treatment and medicine?
Yes Do you think your child age 3 months or older has a moderate fever that has not come down after 12 hours of home treatment and medicine?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your child age 3 months or older have a rectal temperature of 100°F (38°C) to 102°F (39°C) that has not come down after 24 to 48 hours?
Yes Do you think your child age 3 months or older has a mild fever that has not come down after 24 to 48 hours?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: August 29, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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