EVALUATING RASH IN FEBRILE CHILDREN

Abstract

Fever accompanied by rash is a common complaint in pediatric practice. Mostly these conditions are caused by different viruses and self-limited. But, it may also be the first and only sign of serious and life-threatening bacterial infections, like meningococcemia and bacterial sepsis. The most important step in the diagnostic process is a detailed clinical examination. A detailed physical examination can easily lead the physician to the correct diagnosis. The rash in children is often maculopapular and nonspecific. However a petechial rash should be evaluated as meningococcemia until the contrary is proven. Most common diseases presenting with fever and rash are measles, rubella, scarlet fever, erythema infectiosum, roseola infantum, Epstein-Barr virus infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, Kawasaki disease and for our country Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.