Exanthem

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**Exanthem**
*Classification & external resources*
ICD-10	A38, B05-B09
ICD-9	034, 055-057, 782.1
DiseasesDB	25831
MeSH	D005076

An exanthem is a widespread rash, usually viral, and usually occurring in children. It represents either a reaction to a toxin produced by the organism, damage to the skin by the organism or an immune response. Exanthems may also be due to a drug, most commonly antibiotics.

Historically, exanthems in children have been numbered in the order they were identified:

First disease - Rubeola, Measles (caused by Morbillivirus)
Second disease - Scarlet Fever, Scarlatina (caused by Group A streptococcal infection -- the only bacterial examthem)
Third disease - Rubella, German measles (caused by Rubella virus)
Fourth disease - Duke's disease, "viral rash" (classification considered defunct by many)
Fifth disease - Erythema infectiosum, slapped cheek syndrome (caused by Parvovirus B19)
Sixth disease - Exanthem subitum, Roseola infantum, baby measles (caused by Human Herpes Virus 6)

A new exanthem was identified in 1992, unilateral laterothoracic exanthem (ULE), later also known as asymmetric periflexural exanthem of childhood.^[1]

[edit] References

^ Bodemer C, de Prost Y (1992). "Unilateral laterothoracic exanthem in children: a new disease?". J Am Acad Dermatol 27 (5 Pt 1): 693-6. PMID 1430389.