could it be a virus or diabetes?

my 18 month old son has developed a rash, in the family is childhood diabetes on my husbands side, my main reason of concern is my brother in law developed a rash and it was diagnosed as a virus which is what i was told by my gp with my son but turned out that my brother in law had diabetes. what are the chances of the same being with my son?

[JDRF Volunteer SG]

A rash is not a typical symptom of diabetes. So a rash alone, or a virus, would not typically be connected to diabetes. However, in people with the genetic predisposition to developing diabetes, certain viruses sometimes "trigger" the autoimmune system to over-react and not only battle the virus, but then to proceed to destroy the pancreas' insulin-producing cells as well. This is what is thought to be the cause of type 1 diabetes.

That being said, you should look for the typical symptoms: abnormal thirst, going to the bathroom a lot because of drinking abnormal amounts of liquids to quench that thirst, hunger that is uncommon, weight loss despite eating a lot, fatigue, and irritability. If these are present, then ask his doctor to check his blood sugar levels, for a simple blood test is the real answer.