Rash >.<

Janine came down with a fever on Friday. And this fever was different from her other fevers. This fever made her very LISTLESS. She didn't want to play, she had no appetite, she was moody...all she wanted to do was to lie on your stomach and watch TV. She was totally out of character.

Then on Sunday, small patches of pink started appearing on her stomach, especially the area around her waist. And I think they were itchy too cos she kept tugging and scratching her diaper, which got her even more frustrated and moody @.@

The last time Janine ran a high fever and subsequently broke out in rashes, we found out from her pediatrician that it was roseola infantum (yes they actually have a name for the viral attack). This time it could be the same thing, so I shouldn't be to worried right? Wrong! Why? It may be MEASLES or RUBELLA!!! or maybe a reaction from her last immunization jab?! So??? Well, honestly in any other circumstances I wouldn't be kicking a fuss, but my very PREGNANT church friend Joyce carried (read: was in VERY CLOSE CONTACT with) Janine on Sunday morning. If Janine has measles or if this is a reaction from the MMR jab, would Joyce and baby be at risk?? ARGH! @.@

So, for the next 24 hours before KY brought her to the doctor, I was somewhat distressed. I did some searching on the internet (oh blessed internet!) and I found out that:

1. Any reaction to the MMR jab would be within the FIRST TWO WEEKS. Janine had her jab MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. So not possible that this is a reaction to the MMR.
2. The child who received an MMR immunisation is not contagious. Yes, even right after the shot. So other children who play with her are not at risk of being infected. So if u extrapolate it, pregnant women (especailly the ones who already had their MMR shots) who carry her are not at risk.
3. An MMR immunisation shot is SUPPOSE to help PREVENT measles/mumps/rubella. Duh!
4. Rashes developed from measles/rubella don't look like that.
5. A child having measles would also have watery eyes, cough and rashes that START FROM THE FACE. Janine wasn't exhibiting any of these symptoms.

So if her fever and rashes is not due to the MMR jab, or measles/rubella for that matter, then WHAT in tarnation is the cause of this??!!! Well, I have my theories:

1. Flu. Naaah...altough she DOES get feverish, but it is ALWAYS accompanied by runny noses. No runny noses so can't be flu.
2. Heat rash. Then what about the fever?
3. Teething. Ok, this would explain the fever but does teething give u rashes??? ABSURD!!
4. Food allergy. Possible. I remember feeding her some rice that was "tainted" with rice wine (from the chicken wine dish KY's mom cooked) which I had on Saturday night. Maybe she is allergic to ALCOHOL? But logically, any alcohol in the chicken would have EVAPORATED during the cooking process. However, while it explains the rashes, it doesn't explain the fever.
5. The fever and rashes are not related. So maybe its combination of theory 2, 3 and 4?

The only way to find out (and appease this paranoid mother) was to seek EXPERT advice. According to the KY, the good doctor took one look at her rashes and declared "VIRAL!" (again!). Not roseola this time but the FLU VIRAL @.@. Huh????Apparently, in some cases, instead of the usual runny nose and hacking cough, the virus can also manifest itself in the form of rashes. Which is really MUCH better cos then we don't have to deal with all the mucus and even more grumpiness.

So THANK GOD! Janine 100% does NOT have measles! and she won't have to suffer all the yucky flu symptoms ;o) and she is back to running all over the place and climbing to places she is not suppose to climb to.