Itchy Rash, Vomit, Diahrea, 15 days now

My 4 year old began getting a red pimple like rash that itched about 15 days ago.  Then he started complaining of body aches and had diahrea (9th day) - this was progressed with 100-102 fevers and refusal to eat (10th day to current)  He is VERY lathargic.  I took him to the doctor and he perscribed cutivate cream for the skin and took a strep throat culture - he did not have strep.  He said it is probably a flue bug.  Now my 7 year old started with a rash on his waste and it has now traveled to his whole upper torso and neck.  He has no fevers and feeling fine thus far.  I also have developed lower abdomen pain and pimple like rash on my spine and around my waste that itched horrible at first and now is painful to the touch.  Mostly I am concerned for my 4 year old who is getting worse and worse and doctors don't know what it is.  No blood work was done - should I request some specific blood work?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds as though your son does indeed have a virus of some kind, though that is beyond my own expertise.  I doubt that your own rash is related, though it is possible you (and your other child) have the same "bug."  In any case, you'll need to rely on your child's doctor for proper evaluation.  The rashes may or may not be part of the overall problem, but most such rashes don't point to a specific diagnosis, so the overall evaluation of symptoms is what counts.  You should keep in mind that viruses can cause fevers and lethargy in little kids for some time.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[bluebird05]

You both have a itchy rash on your waist?...sounds like something contagious?...let's see what the Doc. says.

[madgeOwens]

It does sound viral.  ALot of the time children can get a rash and we ,miss it too.  I hope he is better.  Do you have pets?