What to do Your child may not feel especially ill and may not want to be in bed. Baby or junior paracetamol will ease pain in the swollen glands. Check correct dosage on pack. Give plenty to drink, but not fruit juices. Incubation period 14-21 days Infectious period One week before and at least 4 days after the rash first appears.
Symptoms Can be difficult to diagnose with certainty.
Starts like a mild cold. The rash appears in a day or two, first on the face, then spreading. Spots are flat. On a light skin they are pale pink. Glands in the back of the neck may be swollen.