What to do if…
you notice a rash with fever and are unsure if it is serious

What to do now

1. Check for emergency red flags. Call 999 now if any apply.

   • The rash looks like small bruises or bleeding under the skin, or it does not fade when pressed.
   • They are very sleepy, hard to wake, confused, agitated, floppy, or not responding like they usually do.
   • They have difficulty breathing, very fast breathing, grunting, or blue, grey, pale, or blotchy skin, lips, or tongue.
   • They have a stiff neck, severe headache, or are very bothered by light.
   • They have a seizure, collapse, sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue, or a rapidly worsening condition.

2. Do a quick pressure check on the rash, but do not let it delay help.

   • Press the side of a clear glass firmly against the rash for a few seconds.
   • If the spots do not fade, call 999 now.
   • If the spots fade, it can still be serious. Continue with the steps below and get help again if they worsen.

3. Use the right service for how unwell they seem.

   • Call 999 if any red flags apply, or if you think they are seriously unwell.
   • If there are no immediate red flags but you are unsure, seek same-day urgent medical advice.
   • In England, call 111; use 111 online for someone aged 5 or over, or call 111 for a child under 5.
   • In Scotland, call 111 for NHS 24.
   • In Wales, call 111 where the service is available.
   • In Northern Ireland, use your local GP out-of-hours or Phone First route if it is not an emergency.

4. If a baby or young child has a rash and fever, act earlier.

   • If a baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38°C, ask for urgent medical advice the same day.
   • If a child has a rash you are worried about, feels hotter than usual, is shivering, is not feeding normally, or has fewer wet nappies or is peeing less than usual, ask for urgent medical advice the same day.
   • Escalate to 999 if any emergency red flags appear.

5. Reduce infection risk while you seek help.

   • Keep them away from others where possible until you have advice.
   • If measles could be possible, call the GP surgery, 111 if available where you are, or the local urgent advice service before going anywhere in person so they can advise how to attend safely.
   • If chickenpox could be possible, avoid close contact with newborn babies, anyone who is pregnant, and anyone with a weakened immune system while you seek advice.

6. Write down the details you may be asked for.

   • When the fever started, the highest temperature, and how it was measured.
   • When the rash started, where it began, whether it is spreading, and whether it fades with pressure.
   • Any new medicines or recent doses, recent vaccines, recent travel, known contact with measles or chickenpox, pregnancy, immune problems, and any breathing, feeding, peeing, alertness, or neck symptoms.