Whenever cold and flu season hits, I know the most common culprits that aim to cause our kiddos the most misery. But I was stumped by the bug that took hold of my kiddo last year!
It all started when she fell asleep in her car seat on the way home from morning errands. I made every verbal attempt from the front seat to keep her awake (you know the drill!) but to no avail. I mentally cursed this series of events, knowing it meant this mini nap would negate any possible afternoon nap. To my surprise she DID fall asleep for her nap (and quickly at that) and slept for three hours! She slugged through afternoon play time, nearly fell asleep in her dinner plate and did not utter one word of protest when I put her in bed at 7pm for the night.
Who was this sleepy kid and what had she done with my spunky toddler? I woke up the next morning thinking it was just a fluke until I had to go wake her up after 8am!
She spent the next three days either sleeping in her bed or on my husband or I, and went back to two long naps a day. What was happening to our child? Whatever bug bit her sure got her good! We had never seen her like this before.
When she spiked a high fever on day three, we knew it was time to see the doctor. He was stumped, too, and guessed it was some sort of virus that would run its course.
We did what we could to ensure she was comfortable, fed, hydrated, rested and fever at bay for the next four days.
Then, finally, the heavens parted and the light shone through! Her fever broke and her energy and appetite came back as quickly as they went. I plopped her in the bath that night, and that’s when I saw it. A splotchy, red rash all over her little body.
Horrified, I headed to the source I know best to identify this rash … Google! After just a few searches of fatigue, high fever and red rash, I had solved the mystery of my little one’s misery. She had roseola! It turns out this very common childhood illness hits most toddlers before kindergarten and is a nuisance more than a danger.
I’m glad I know now for baby #2! And just a head’s up mama … if you’re trying to figure out why you have a sleepy, irritable toddler with a high fever, it may be roseola! Look for the red rash after the fever breaks and you’ll know for sure.
As a stay at home mom living in the mundane moments of feedings, diapers and tantrums, I secretly enjoyed putting on my detective hat and figuring out the problem! And of course I’m so glad my little one can check Roseola off the list!
