Viral rashes - when are the contagious?

[IncyWincySpider]

Our 7 month old was ill (high temp & sleepy) on Thursday and Friday. The doctor said it was probably viral. When I got him dressed yesterday morning he was covered in a bumpy red rash and he still has it today but is totally fine otherwise. We saw a friends little girl last Monday and when they got home her legs and bottom were covered in a rash, her doctor said that was a virus too. We're assumming this is probably all the same thing - the friends little girl also had a temp a couple of days before the rash.

Does anyone know when these sorts of things are generally contagious? is it likely to be ok to see other babies tomorrow or would it be best to make sure the rash has completely gone first?

[sersha]

I was told that by the time the rash comes out, the virus is on it's way out and therefore they aren't infectious any more.

(But then I was also told to wait for the rash PLUS ten days after she had rubella, so I don't really know the answer. Sorry!)

[IncyWincySpider]

I thought I'd heard they weren't contagious once there was a rash but wasn't sure what for. Guess it depends exactly what it is I suppose...