The diagnosis may confirm any number of conditions. Adult patients with fever and rash had a wide differential diagnosis. N is a 23yearold woman who comes to see you complaining of a rash. The illness has only recently become a concern in western countries and temperate zones around the world. The differential diagnosis of itchy skin dermnet nz. A sore throat, fever and rash wiley online library. For example, the rash in measles is an erythematous, morbilliform, maculopapular rash that begins a few days after the fever starts. Table v the most frequent noninfectious causes of fever and rash according to type and distribution of rash. Her parents report that multiple small red spots developed over the trunk and back in the 2 days before presentation. Fever and rash is a relatively common presentation in travellers returning from the tropics. The term maculopapular is nonspecific, as many eruptions have a primary morphology of macules or papules, and the term may be misused to indicate any rash.
Various infectious and noninfectious agents can cause different skin reactions and or similar clinical syndromes or vice versa. Clinical features and etiology of adult patients with. Then try the child with fever mnemonic for usmle step 2 cs. A differential diagnosis with infectious causes should be addressed. It classically starts at the head, and spreads downwards. The differential diagnosis is broad and a systematic approach to the management of these patients is required in order to establish the diagnosis and to initiate prompt and effective treatment. Although viral exanthems are usually associated with benign, selflimited diseases, in some cases correct diagnosis of an exanthem may be required for proper treatment, monitoring, and initiation of preventive measures for contacts. History andthephysicalexaminationprovideimportantcluestothe diagnosis. He took no prescribed medications but had taken an ibuprofen pill a week prior for a mild headache. Diagrams of differential diagnosis based on history and physical examination and epidemiology of the diseases with fever and rash may. Maculopapular rash may be mistakenly called macule, papule, patch, nodule, plaque, vesicle, or pustule. Meningococcal disease short prodromal phase fever, lethargy, malaise, nauseavomiting, followed by the more specific and severe symptoms of meningitis and sepsis limb pain, cold handsfeet, pale or mottled skin.
There are noninfectious diseases that can also show with fever and rash. The most common type of rash was determined as maculopapular and the most frequent 5 diseases were measles, drug reactions, chickenpox, asd and rickettsial infection. Fever and a pustular rash dermatology jama jama network. In part i of this twopart article, tables listing common, uncommon, and rare causes of generalized rash are presented to help generate an inclusive differential diagnosis. It is associated with a moist cough, vomiting, and decreased po intake. The most common type of rash was determined as maculopapular, and the most frequent five diseases were measles, drug reactions, chickenpox, asd and rickettsial infection. Fever is the third most common cause for visits to the emergency department and is listed in the top 20 reasons for visits to the ambulatory clinic. Different rash like conditions can be confused with scarlet fever and are thus included in its differential diagnosis. Measles diagnostic flowchart for clinicians metro south. Differential diagnosis of viral exanthemas bentham open. Rash in infants and young children pediatrics merck. What is the diagnosis and what phenomenon do the linear lesions in areas of. The differential diagnosis of maculopapular rash depends on the setting and the.
Fever with an accompanying rash is a common symptom constellation in patients presenting to clinicians offices and emergency departments. If a patient presents with a complaint of a sore throat, a number of differential diagnoses must be considered before determining a final diagnosis. Other bacteria can cause a pharyngitis and similar rash, such as staphylococcus aureus, haemophilus influenzae, arcanobacterium haemolyticum, and clostridium species. To conclude, adult patients with fever and rash had a wide differential diagnosis. Feverweaknesssyncopealtered mental statusseizuredizziness and vertigoheadachesore throatdyspneachest painabdominal painnausea and vomitinggastrointestinal bleedingacute pelvic painback pain causes of fever. More than meets the eye introduction rash may be hallmark of disease or nonspecific an important clue to etiology of illness differential diagnosis is critical recognition is key to making a good diagnosis and instituting early and appropriate treatment and infection control. Introduction the differential diagnosis for febrile patients with a rash is extensive. Skin manifestations may provide the only early clue to an underlying infection, may be the hallmark of contagious disease, andor may be an early sign of a lifethreatening infection or serious noninfectious. We present a challenging case of an asymptomatic 7yearold girl with an atypical exanthem and discuss differential diagnoses, focusing on common viral and bacterial causes. Skin rashes caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal etiologies are common presenting complaints to primary care clinics, emergency departments, and dermatologists. Diseases that present with fever and rash are usually classified according to the morphology of the primary lesion. General presentation children frequently present at the physicians office or emergency room with a fever and rash.
Sudden onset of high fever without rash or other symptoms in a child younger than 3 years. Having trouble remembering all the important questions to ask during your patient encounter. Febrile illness with skin rashes pubmed central pmc. The patient with an acute maculopapular rash presents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. Fever may be due to infectious agents found only in tropical countries, or due to infections unrelated to travel and found worldwide. Acute, generalized vesicular or pustular rash illness. Fever is common in the first few days after major surgery and can pose a diagnostic challenge for the care team. Erosions, crusting, bruising and infection can be due to excoriation and are of no help diagnostically. The differential diagnosis includes other causes of fever. The overwhelming majority of cases of scarlet fever are caused by group a betahemolytic streptococci gabhs.
It is important for physicians to be diligent, as the differential diagnosis. Acidbase disturbances case files clinical neuroanatomy cases. The differential diagnosis includes other causes of fever accompanied by erythematous. This article describes the differential diagnosis of maculopapular rashes, which can be divided into three large groups.
If fever is present without a nikolsky sign, the differential diagnosis includes kawasaki disease, scarlet fever, erythroderma, and toxic shock syndrome tss. The six classic rashes are measles, rubella, scarlet fever. He was seen in the clinic on day 2 of fever and was started. Evaluation of maculopapular rash differential diagnosis. Clinical features and etiology of adult patients with fever and rash. Most early postoperative fever is caused by the inflammatory stimulus of tissue damage. Generally, rash in the absence of fever or systemic symptoms is not urgent. Those patients with an erythematous rash but without a fever or nikolsky sign may be having an anaphylactic reaction or an exposure reaction to scombroid or alcohol. Scarlet fever differential diagnoses medscape reference. However, when fever or signs of illness are present, urgent evaluation and treatment must be considered. Fever and rash university of massachusetts medical school. A 9monthold girl is brought to the clinic because of worsening fever and rash.
Evaluation of rash in children differential diagnosis of. The various conditions that should be differentiated from scarlet fever include. Patients with an erythematous rash but without a fever or nikolsky sign may be having an anaphylactic reaction or a reaction to vancomycin, scombroid, or alcohol exposure. When fever accompanies a rash in children, it is usually caused by viral infections. The differential diagnosis for febrile patients with a rash is extensive. To differentiate these skin lesions from each other, here are the pictures of each. In clinical practice, rashes are diagnosed through pattern recognition probably more than any other. The most useful way of organizing the differential diagnosis of a rash is to base it on the morphology of the lesion.
She was seen twice by the primary care physician pcp during this time, and she was diagnosed as having erythema toxicum. A 5yearold, previously healthy, white boy presented to the clinic because of a nonpruritic, generalized erythematous rash and fever. A previously healthy man in his 40s presented with 4 days of fever and a rash. What are the differential diagnoses for rashes on the palms and soles. In evaluating a patient with fever and rash, determining the type of rash, and its general characteristics such. Guidance on the investigation, diagnosis and management of viral rash illness, or exposure to viral rash illness, in pregnancy 7 2. Although the differential diagnosis is very broad, adequate history and physical examination can help the clinician narrow down a list of more probable etiologies. For clinical diagnosis of diseases accompanied by skin rash and fever. Evaluating the febrile patient with a rash american. Cardinal presentations this post is part of a series called cardinal presentations, based on rosens emergency medicine 8th edition. The differential diagnosis is extensive, ranging from selflimiting conditions e. He noticed multiple acneiform papules and pustules around the neckline that progressed to involve the face, torso, and limbs.
A 10dayold girl is brought to the emergency department ed with fever and rash. Associated with nonblanching rash a rapidly evolving petechial or purpuric rash is a sign of very severe disease. Approach to a the child with a fever and rash learn. It is important to remember that rashes are common and can be caused by medical conditions or drug reactions unrelated to travel. Rashes can be caused by infection viral, fungal, or bacterial, contact with irritants, atopy, drug hypersensitivity, other allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, or vasculitides see table. Introduction viral and bacterial infections are common causes of generalized rashes in children, and patients may present with systemic signs and symptoms. The presence of a rash as part of a febrile illness, although rarely pathognomonic, focuses the differential diagnosis. Her mother reports that she appears lethargic and has been. Chikungunya fever is a selfremitting febrile viral illness that has been associated with frequent outbreaks in tropical countries of africa and southeast asia. Although many presenting symptoms overlap, discrete, identifiable factors for each disease can aid in diagnosis. Child with fever differential diagnosis mnemonic best usmle step 2 cs mnemonics. Acute, generalized vesicular or pustular rash illness testing protocol in the united states introduction this protocol has been developed to guide the sequence and type of laboratory testing to be undertaken in situations involving specimens from patients with acute, generalized vesicular or pustular rash illness, or suspected smallpox. Fever and rash syndromes can often be diagnosed by. Maculopapular rash pictures, causes, diagnosis 2020.
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