exanthem

An exanthem is a rash that "bursts forth or blooms" towards the end of some infections. They are characteristically widespread, symmetrically distributed on the child's body, red, discrete or confluent flat spots (macules) and bumps (papules) that at least at first are not scaly. Diseases that begin with exanthems may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or drug reactions.

Some exanthems are accompanied by oral lesions that are referred to as enanthems. The most famous of these would be the Koplik spots of measles, but the most common enanthem would be the oral lesions found in hand-foot-mouth disease.

Now for your edification, some medical trivia. Exanthems were previously numbered according to their historical appearance and description:

first disease: measles (rubeola)
second disease: scarlet fever
third disease: German measles (rubella)
fourth disease: "Dukes' disease" (probably coxsackievirus or echovirus)
fifth disease: erythema infectiosum (now you know how it got the strange name)
sixth disease: roseola infantum (herpesvirus 6 infection; "exanthem subitum")

No, that will not be on the test.

Night, Night! Dr. Hull's Common Sense Sleep Solutions© Site Information/Disclaimer