My 7 year old had been running a fever the last few days. now she has a rash on her back and all over? whatshould i do?

Bacterial infection?: An elementary school aged child with fever for a few days and than a rash over the whole body may have strep throat, which needs a doctor to prescribe antibiotic treatment. The doctor will also look for some more rare and more dangerous conditions. Sometimes viruses and mycoplasma can cause similar symptoms. Virus infections usually go away on their own, but mycoplasma needs antibiotic treatment.

See your doctor: While some childhood rashes are self-limiting, there is no way to safely make a diagnosis at home. You probably don't realize how much training your doctor must go through to correctly assess these situations, and occasionally fever and rash can be very serious.

Likely roseola: Typical roseola rash starts of with fever for a few days, fever subsides and a lace-like rash develops all over the body. If rash worsens or fever develops again, would have your child's pediatrician take a closer look.

See your Pediatricia: Many viruses can cause rashes with fever, but if your child looks ill, see your pediatrician who can differentiate a virus from something more serious.