Any fever or rash makes most mothers worried about their little ones. Infants running a fever cause particular concern. If your baby is less than 3 months old and develops a fever, always contact your doctor. If you notice signs of rash alongside the fever, take your child to a doctor as soon as possible, as this can signal more serious problems. Try not to panic, however --- in most cases, these are false alarms.
Fever
MayoClinic.com suggests that you call a doctor if your infant's fever reaches 101 F or more. While mild fever in infants is common, prolonged fever or unusually high temperatures are causes for concern. Taking a child's temperature can be difficult. Forehead thermometers may fall off his skin, or he might be crying too hard to take in a mouth thermometer. A digital ear thermometer offers one of the easier ways to take an infant's temperature.
Rash
Infants frequently experience rashes around their diaper region or in the folds of their skin. Similarly, they may experience heat rash in sticky weather conditions or develop yeast infections. However, rashes seen in conjunction with fever suggest potentially more serious problems. The MedlinePlus online medical encyclopedia recommends contacting a medical professional immediately if your child has a fever alongside the rash. In particular, rashes that occur in places where you don't usually see redness may suggest another condition.
Possible Causes
One of the more serious possible causes of fever alongside rashes is meningitis. This infection inflames the fluid sacs around the brain and can be extremely serious if left untreated. Look for signs of lethargy and a glazed-over look as additional symptoms in infants under 2 years old. Other viral infections include chicken pox and roseola. The former has distinct red spots as part of the rash. The latter may start with a fever, then develop into a rash a few days later.
Considerations
Newborn infants don't yet possess the ability to control their temperatures or fight off infection as well as you can. Take great care to keep room conditions constant and avoid very high or low temperatures. Similarly, if you have a fever or cold, try to keep your sneezes and coughs well out of the range of your baby. Always wash your hands with soap or disinfectant to minimize the chances of passing on your infection if you have a cold. This can reduce the chance of passing any rashes or fevers to your infant.
