Exanthem

Exanthem
Other namesExanthema
Rash seen in rubella
SpecialtyDermatology

An exanthem is a widespread rash eruption occurring on the outside of the body, usually presents in children, the rash is typically associated with constitutional symptoms including fever and fatigue.[1][2] It is usually caused by a virus,[2] but an exanthem can be caused by bacteria,[3] toxins, drugs, other microorganisms, or as a result of autoimmune disease.[2] Exanthems associated with viruses are usually not specific but some are pathognomonic for certain viruses, the rash is not caused by the virus itself but the body’s reaction to the virus.[4]

The term exanthem is from the Greek ἐξάνθημα, exánthēma, 'a breaking out'.[5] It can be contrasted with enanthems which occur inside the body, such as on mucous membranes. Exanthems occasionally present in association with enanthems .[6]

  1. ^ "Viral exanthems". Primary Care Dermatology Society. Primary Care Dermatology Society. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Exanthems (reactive rashes)". DermNet. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid11214144 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Drago, Francesco; Ciccarese, Giulia; Gasparini, Giulia; Cogorno, Ludovica; Javor, Sanja; Toniolo, Antonio; Broccolo, Francesco (2017-02-01). "Contemporary Infectious Exanthems: An Update". Future Microbiology. 12 (2): 171–193. doi:10.2217/fmb-2016-0147. hdl:10281/135791. ISSN 1746-0913. PMID 27838923.
  5. ^ "Roseola Glossary of Terms with Definitions on MedicineNet.com". Archived from the original on 2008-09-14.
  6. ^ Keighley, Caitlin L.; Saunderson, Rebecca B.; Kok, Jen; Dwyer, Dominic E. (April 2015). "Viral exanthems". Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 28 (2): 139. doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000145. ISSN 0951-7375.