6 Rashy Diseases of Children
Dr. BASSAM S.
QHSE & HSE Consultant | Occupational Health & Safety Expert | GP & Corporate Health Advisor | Patient Safety & Wellbeing Leader | NEBOSH, OSHA, ISO 45001 Certified
Several childhood exanthems (rash-causing diseases) have been historically identified by numerical order based on the sequence in which they were described. Here is a list of those diseases:
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1. First Disease: Measles (Rubeola)
?? - Cause: Measles virus (Paramyxoviridae family)
?? - Symptoms: High fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, maculopapular rash.
?? - Rash Duration: 6-7 days.
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2. Second Disease: Scarlet Fever
?? - Cause: Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes)
?? - Symptoms: High fever, sore throat, sandpaper-like rash, strawberry tongue.
?? - Rash Duration: Typically fades in about a week, followed by peeling.
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3. Third Disease: Rubella (German Measles)
?? - Cause: Rubella virus (Togaviridae family)
?? - Symptoms: Mild fever, lymphadenopathy, fine pink maculopapular rash.
?? - Rash Duration: 3 days.
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4. Fourth Disease: Duke's Disease (Considered Obsolete)
?? - Cause: Initially thought to be distinct, but likely a form of Staphylococcal or Streptococcal infection.
?? - Symptoms: Similar to scarlet fever or other exanthems.
?? - Rash Duration: Not well-defined due to historical ambiguity.
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5. Fifth Disease: Erythema Infectiosum
?? - Cause: Parvovirus B19
?? - Symptoms: Mild fever, "slapped cheek" facial rash, lacy red rash on the body.
?? - Rash Duration: 1-3 weeks.
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6. Sixth Disease: Roseola (Exanthem Subitum)
?? - Cause: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and sometimes HHV-7
?? - Symptoms: High fever lasting 3-5 days, followed by a sudden maculopapular rash as fever subsides.
?? - Rash Duration: 1-2 days.
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This list provides a quick reference to the common numbered exanthems seen in pediatric practice, helping to differentiate between them based on their causative agents and key clinical features.