Exanthem
| Exanthem | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Family medicine  |
An exanthem (from Greek "exanthema", a breaking out[1]) is a widespread rash usually occurring in children. Exanthems can be caused by toxins or drugs, microorganisms, or can result from autoimmune disease.
It can be contrasted with an enanthem.
Types
Historically, six "classical" infectious childhood exanthems have been recognized,[2] four of which are viral. Numbers were provided in 1905.[3]
The four viral exanthema have much in common, and are often studied together as a class. They include:
| Name | Number | Virus |
|---|---|---|
| (rubeola) measles | "first disease" | measles virus |
| rubella, ("German Measles") identified in 1881.[4] | "third disease" | rubella virus |
| erythema infectiosum, identified as a distinct condition in 1896.[5] | "fifth disease" | parvovirus B19 |
| roseola infantum | "sixth disease" | HHV-6 and HHV-7 |
Scarlet fever, or "second disease", is associated with the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. (Measles and scarlet fever were distinguished in the 17th century.[4]) Fourth disease, a condition whose existence is not widely accepted today, was described in 1900 and is postulated to be related to Staphylococcus aureus.[4]
Many other common viruses apart from the ones mentioned above can also produce an exanthem as part of their presentation, though they are not considered part of the classic numbered list:
- Varicella zoster virus (chickenpox or shingles)
- Mumps
- rhinovirus (the common cold)
- unilateral laterothoracic exanthem of childhood
- Some types of viral haemorrhagic fever are also known to produce a systemic rash of this kind during the progression of the disease.
- Tick-borne diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever produce a rash that may become extensive enough so as to be classified as exanthemous in as many as 90% of children with the disease.[6]
Prevention
Vaccinations now exist against measles, mumps, rubella (as a part of the MMR vaccine) and chickenpox.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Roseola Glossary of Terms with Definitions on MedicineNet.com".
- ^ Bialecki C, Feder HM, Grant-Kels JM (November 1989). "The six classic childhood exanthems: a review and update". J Am Acad Dermatol. 21 (5 Pt 1): 891–903. PMID 2681288.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "fifth disease" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b c Weisse ME (January 2001). "The fourth disease, 1900-2000". Lancet. 357 (9252): 299–301. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(00)03623-0. PMID 11214144.
- ^ Altman, Lawrence K (November 30, 1982). "THE DOCTOR'S WORLD". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
- ^ http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/r/rr5504.pdf
- ^ Michael A. Pfaller; Murray, Patrick R.; Rosenthal, Ken S. (2005). Medical Microbiology (Medical Microbiology). Mosby Elsevier. p. 700. ISBN 0-323-03303-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
- Overview at About.com
- Definition at MedTerms
- Differential diagnosis
- Dermatology Quiz Includes photo, diagnosis, and treatment of unilateral laterothoracic exanthem (ULE).