MMR Rash

Updated on November 20, 2009
M.S. asks from Arlington Heights, IL
17 answers

Does anyone have experience with their little one getting a rash after the MMR Vaccine? My 15 month old got a firey red rash less than 24 hours after the shot. My doctor doesn't seem concerned and said to only worry if other problems come up. Since then, in the past week, she has developed a cough and now in the past two days a fever. Over all she just hasn't been herself the past week... very moody and clingy. It's difficult.. because I think she is also getting a molar in... so maybe that is mixing in with the symptoms?!

Should I be as concerned as I am... or just wait it out as recovery from the shot... and a cold/teething?!

Thoughts?

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for allowing me to be concerned! Fortunately, the rash has now cleared up (about 2 weeks after the MMR) and the fever/cough went away about a week ago. Like some of you said, there was a lot of TLC needed to mend this little one back to health.. but we all seem to be doing well now!

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A.S.

answers from Bloomington on

At 15 months my daughter also reacted to the MMR with a rash. I was told that it is very common because it has a trace amount of live virus. It went away, but still makes you worry, so much controversy over vaccines. I will tell you though, my daughter had not received her "full cycle" of Pertussis (Whopping Cough) and she got it when she was 12 months, I would not wish that for any family. My mom even ended up catching it from her. It was truly scary and it lasts for 100 days or more. So, vaccines are really important for the health of the community too.

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G.S.

answers from Chicago on

Did she get any other vaccinations/shots in that same visit? For example, did she get the flu shot or flu nasal mist? If she got the mist, her body may be reacting against the weakened live virus.

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S.L.

answers from Chicago on

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1 mom found this helpful

K.L.

answers from Chicago on

Whether you believe in vacs or not, a great and informative read is a book called Raising A Vaccine Free Child. I strongly recommend it since your child is clearly exhibiting an adverse reaction to the vac. This is much more common than the mainstream would have you believe. If your child is having a reaction, I would read the book and then seriously consider whether or not you do anymore vacs or which ones to give if you do. Blessings The book also addresses the PROPER way to care for common child hood illnesses and is priceless to have on hand at 3am!

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

My son developed a rash after his MMR shot and it lingered for about a week. He also was cranky, clingy and generally not himself after receiving the shot for a week. It is the shot that we had the most reaction to but he is just fine.
I do not follow the vaccine schedule with my kids and only let them get one shot at a time so I know the reaction was from the MMR shot b/c it was the only shot he got that day. The doctors said that a rash for up to two weeks after the shot is considered "normal" (as far as reactions go) and that a fever and other symptoms could develop too.
You have to make your own decisions about what is best for your daughter and vaccinations but I will agree that this one was a nasty one. The good news is that he got through the week and we have had no issues or symptoms of anything since (he was given the shot in September).
I do think it is important to have a doctor who listens to your concerns and agrees to see the child if you think the child needs to be seen.
What helped the most with my son was just giving him extra TLC while he was feeling funky.

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

Like all medicines, there are side effects. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'm sure your daughter will be fine in a day or so.

Also, please do not read the Homefirst website as it is filled with completely inaccurate and unscientific information. The head Dr there is also questionable in his ethics (do a search at the Tribune).

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L.K.

answers from Elmira on

My daughter got the same rash. She was covered in red spoltchy patches everywhere and also had a fever. The MMR contains some of the actual virus so some kids react a lot to it. I would maybe see a doctor just to make sure but if it's like me daughter was, it should disapear in a week or so.

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T.T.

answers from Chicago on

I dont want to scare you and I could easily do that but please please PLEASE do not use tylenol to reduce the fever. Your child is having a reaction and needs to detox! let him have a fever to rid the body of the poisons. Please make sure this even is reported to VAERS as most reactions like this are not (I know kids who have seized (up to 2 weeks after) and those were not reported, the docs wont do it you have to insist and may have to d it yourself!) please watch your child for symptoms of seizures, lots of healthy food and water, and you may want to reconsider giving any live virus vaccines again to your child as reactions can be worse! Live virus vaccines are the worst. If this is all that happens to him consider yourself lucky and do some vaccine research NOW! sometimes we get little warnings to teach us something! I hope everything works out and your child has a full recovery and I hope the cough doesnt turn into asthma/eczema. best of luck!

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N.W.

answers from Chicago on

I would be concerned, but that's just me. Take her to another doctor. There are some cases where the kids change right after they receive a vaccine and they end up with autistic symptoms. In some cases the doctors kept telling the parents it was "nothing."

Here is a link
http://www.autismyesterday.com/trailer.html

It could be nothing, but why take the chance?

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A.F.

answers from Chicago on

When my little one got his mmr shot about a week or so after he was covered with a rash and a slight fever. The fever was only there for a day or so but the rash was there for about 2 weeks. The dr said he had the measle symptoms from the shot. Just to put your mind at ease maybe you should call your doctors office again and insist on bringing your little one in.

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a pediatric nurse, so I've given these shots once or twice. I think the rash is a non-concern as long as your child doesn't develop other things, like particularly a fever. Local skin irritation is a pretty common thing. I think the irritability might be due to teething, but don't hesitate to contact your doctor if the irritability or the rash doesn't go away soon, or if pain-reducing medication doesn't help with the teething discomfort. Keep us posted!

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C.K.

answers from Chicago on

Bring her back to the doctor to have him look at the rash. It could be Roseola.

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T.C.

answers from Chicago on

She is your daughter, so if you are concerned then continue to bug the dr. until he listens. That is his job. My dr. doesn't believe in giving more than 2 shots at once. At such a young age he believes it is too much for the body to handle. So unless your daughter goes to daycare, don't do the "shot schedule" the way your doctor does. As long as she has them all by kindergarten, she doesn't need to have 4 and 5 shots at once. Too much for her little body to handle. Make a schedule that you are comfortable with. Research the vaccines and postpone some of them if you can.
You have to stand up for her. She doesn't have a voice of her own yet.

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R.M.

answers from Chicago on

I still remember when my daughter received her MMR. Within 24 hours she had a few red dots on her abdomen and a couple hours after that they were on her chest and then covered her entire body. Being a new mom I rushed her back to the doctor because she developed a fever too. He checked it out and said it was a normal reaction to the MMR. He said we can give tylenol for the fever and the rash would clear up in a couple days the way it came. And it did exactly that. The chest cleared first then the groin then the body.
I hope this helps and puts you at ease. Good luck!

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Well, I would consult the doc. However if you child has been getting the vaccines in order. This is not the first time she has gotten the MMR. My son just had his 15 month check up and they said that the shots were repeats. There is a virus going around (Rhino virus) it was on Fox last night. That there is a rash and a cough accompanied with it. It could be something unrelated to the shots.

Teething opens up a new world of germs as everything goes in the mouth. My son is always moody and clingy with teething. And has had a small fever as well.

Good luck

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L.R.

answers from Chicago on

It is your JOB to be concerned! Go to that Dr. and tell him he will listen to you or you will FIRE him and find a new one....I cannot stand pediatricians who disregard mom's concerns because they don't want to be bothered to take the time to explain things to us. THAT IS THIER JOB. stand up for your daughter, if you don't WHO WILL????

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

Here is the info from the cdc.gov website:

"What are the risks from the MMR vaccine?

Mild problems-Fever 1 person out of 6
mild rash 1 out of 20 people
swelling in glands of checks or neck rare...."

I wanted to copy and paste but my computer is acting up. Check out the website.

My son just got the MMR yesterday and I am on the lookout for any developments and I pray for none!

Good luck!

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