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Fever, a common presenting complaint in the acute care setting, may be associated with rash. The disorders that present with fever and rash range from benign and self-limited to rapidly progressive and life threatening. The entire clinical picture must be considered in a child presenting with fever and rash to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment.
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Skin lesions can be characterized by their morphology, color, distribution, and pattern. Based on this characterization, rash can be considered in six major categories:
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Morbilliform
Vesiculobullous
Erythema multiforme
Scarlatiniform
Erythroderma
Petechiae and purpura
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The character of the rash combined with other signs and symptoms often suggests a specific cause of the illness.
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A morbilliform rash appears as a generalized erythematous to pink maculopapular rash that blanches with pressure. Measles and rubella are classic infections (Table 97-1) representing this category. While widespread vaccination makes these diagnoses less likely, recent clusters of cases, particularly in unimmunized communities, should prompt consideration of these infections. Among immunized pediatric patients with morbilliform rash, a specific cause is identified in 37% to 48% of cases.1,2 Common culprits include parvovirus, human herpesvirus 6, enteroviruses, and group A Streptococcus. Other patients likely have unspecified self-limited viral infections, although drug eruption and Kawasaki disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Fever, rhinorrhea, and cough typically occur with these illnesses.
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The causes of vesiculobullous rash and fever are better defined. A generalized pattern of vesicles on an erythematous base (“dewdrops on a rose petal”) in various stages of eruption is characteristic of varicella, commonly called chickenpox. A dermatomal distribution suggests herpes zoster, particularly in patients with a history of varicella infection or vaccination. ...