Classic Childhood Exanthems

Although vaccines are available for some of these childhood illnesses, don’t be surprised if you encounter them in your practice—especially among those who have newly arrived from overseas.

Question 1 of 5

Photo courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD and the Color Atlas of Family Medicine. 2nd ed.

After an incubation period of 4 to 21 days, the classic symptoms of malaise, fever, and red “slapped” cheeks appear, signaling that the child is no longer infectious. Four to 14 days after the onset of symptoms, a pruritic lacy rash covers the entire body, preferentially on the extensor surfaces.1,2

Match the diagnosis to the photo by letter

Exanthem subitum, roseola infantum

Measles

Erythema infectiosum

Scarlet fever

Rubella

Clinician Reviews. 2015 October;25(10):13

This quiz is not accredited for CME.

More from Picture This

QUIZ

Say Ahh … Part 3
Say Ahh … Part 2
Lesions of a Sensitive Nature
Roots, Fruits, Shoots—and Drugs
Not-So-Mellow Yellow
Lesions Sing the Blues
Leaves of Three
A Paler Patch of Skin
The Kiss That Keeps on Giving
Reading Between the Lines
Of Macules and Melanocytes
What Do You See in This ECG?
When Dermatology Turns Deadly
The Pimple That Wasn’t
Marks of Devotion
So Much For That Pregnant “Glow”
A Tale of Tortured Toes