Fever with rash is a symptom of many diseases and it becomes very difficult for a physician to diagnose the disease when only fever with rash is the prime symptom. Therefore whenever a patient has fever with rash, the physician requires a detailed history of the illness, such as how it started, what is the timing of fever, any other accompanying symptom other than fever with rash.
Details about rash such as site of rash, the speed of the rash and direction of spread, whether itching is present and so on are also noted.
Fever and rash can occur due to several causes, but primarily bacteria, viruses and fungal infection are involved.
Spirochetes, Rickettsiae, rheumatic disease and medicines can also cause fever with rash. The rash can be seen all over the body or spotted only in certain areas of the body.
Diseases With Rash And Fever Symptoms
Following are the diseases where fever with rash is one of their symptoms:
- Measles: It is a viral disease.It is common among children.
Symptoms: In the beginning the symptoms look like cold. There is acute onset of fever, with nasal discharge, red and watering of eye, cough and rash. Rash develops 2 to 3 days after the onset of disease, the rash is first seen at the back of ear, on the face and in the neck. Within few hours it spreads all over the body. When the rash is fully erupted in 2 days, it becomes deep red and fades into faint brown as it gets resolved. Fever subsides as the rash fades.
Treatment: Isolation of two weeks. Most cases of measles in spite of high fever remain uncomplicated. Use of antibiotics is required when there are complications.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: the causative organism is R. rickettsi. The disease is caused by bite of ticks. The disease is widely spread in western and south eastern States of USA and South America.
Symptoms: severe headache, body ache, and high fever. The rash appears on the third or fourth day, at first like measles, but in few hours it typically becomes maculo- papular eruption. The rash first appears on wrist, forearms, ankles, spreads in 24 to 48 hours to the back, limbs, and chest and lastly on the abdomen. Rash is also present on palms, soles and face. Finally it turns to petichae rash.
Treatment: broad spectrum antibiotics are useful in treating the condition. An antipyretic medicine reduces fever. When the temperature is high, sponging gives great comfort.
Treatment For Rash With Fever Diseases
- Meningococcemia: it is a bacterial infection. The causative organism is Neisseria meningitidis. High incidence is noted among children between 6 month and 1 year of age.
Symptoms: peticheal rash on the back, abdomen, and extremities. High fever, high pulse rate, increased white blood cell count, rapid respirations are other symptoms.
Treatment: antibiotics, anti pyretic, cold sponging, and maintain vital function is needed. Patient may need hospitalization.
- Scarlet fever: it is caused by betahemolytic streptococcus bacteria.
Symptoms: the rash usually appears first behind the ears on the second day; rapidly spreads all over the body in the form of punctuate erythema. The rash is most intense in the folds of arms and legs. The face is not affected by the rash, though it is flushed with fever. The region around mouth is pale. Rash disappears within 3 to 4 days. ‘Red strawberry tongue’ is characteristic of scarlet fever. Tonsils and throat are affected.
Treatment: broad spectrum antibiotic is needed to treat scarlet fever.
- Dengue: it is a viral disease caused due to mosquito bite.
Symptoms: fever, headache, body ache, painful movement of eyes, nausea and vomiting. Rash appears on 4th or 5th day of illness. The rash is morbilliform but the color resembles that of a scarlet fever. Rash begins on the outer surface of hands and feet and spreads to the arms and thighs and the trunk. In some cases the rash is scanty or absent.
Treatment: there is no specific treatment for dengue. Pain and fever are treated with antipyretic and analgesic medicine.
- Related Topics
- What are the Symptoms of Strep Rash or Scarlet Fever and Its Treatment
- Malar Rash: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment For Butterfly Rash
- Recurrent Fever Treatment | Continuous Fever Cure | Recurring Fever Remedies
- Enteric Fever: Symptoms, Treatment and Home Remedies for Typhoid Fever
- Sun Poisoning Rash Treatment: Symptoms, Remedies for Sun Poisoning Rash
