Fake Measles

15 Oct' 2010


 Doc : your son got Fake Measles

Me : huh????????

This is the first time I have heard of fake measles. Measles is measles lah, got fake and real one meh?

Apparently, for real measles, when you got the rashes, the fever goes even higher.

For fake measles, typically, you get fever for about 3 days and when fever breaks, then the rash will appear.

And this was exactly what happened to Eugene. He had fever on and off for about 3 days - highest going up to 39.5C. Brought him to KK and doc just prescribed fever medication.

When his fever subsided, I noticed rashes on his cheeks and upper body and back we went to KK and now doc said it's fake measles and the rash will get worse covering his whole body.

But the rash seemed to be fading and then suddenly, more rashes appeared - now on his arms and legs but the body is ok now. A 2nd attack of the fake measles!

I did some research on the internet and it seemed that fake measles are quite common among toddlers and some will get a 2nd attack or more.


This is when the spots started appearing on his arm and legs. Over the next day, it got progressively worse. Some area was full of spots so close together that it looked like a big red mosquito bite instead of spots.

But this boy is still as active as ever. In fact, he's eating more now than before and putting on back a bit of his chubby cheeks.

My father was not happy about the situation. First was HFMD and now this. "Why you send him to class? he's so young, no need!"

In fact most of the older folks will say the same thing.

Aiyoh, the poor boy - keep him at home the whole day and everyday? Don't go out cos scared of catching this or that?

I'm sure Eugene will go bonkers and so will I.

I feel that it's good for Eugene to go out and interact with people. I believe this is why Eugene is so sociable and interactive instead of being passive. This is why he's learning and picking up stuff at a very fast rate especially verbally.

Of cos, if there's a outbreak of flu or other illness in his class, I will not bring him to class or if I see somebody coughing or sneezing, I will try to avoid that person but to just keep him at home for fear of catching something out there is not quite right.

Maybe because of all this, his immunity will be stronger and able to fight it the next time instead of being sick-free and suddenly one day, catching a simple cold or something would get him really, really sick.

Sooner or later, he has to get out into the world.