Acute Paediatric Illness, Fever and Rash Flashcards
What is exanthem?
a skin eruption occurring as a sign of a generalized disease
What is an enanthem?
an eruption on the mucous membranes that occurs in the context of generalized disease
What are the clinical characteristics of exanthema and enanthems?
macular, maculopapular, vesicular, urticarial, petechial, or diffusely erythematous
Macules?
are flat, nonpalpable circumscribed lesions
Papules?
are <1 cm, circumscribed palpable lesions
Morbilliform?
measles like rash
Petechiae?
are pinpoint lesions (<3 mm), and purpura are larger lesions
Vesicular rashes?
raised lesions containing clear fluid
Bullae?
vesicles exceeding 1 cm in diameter
Pustules?
cloudy fluid composed of serum and inflammatory cells
Nodules?
discrete, raised, firm, well-demarcated lesions
What causes petechiae and purpura?
Extravasation of red blood cells from the vasculature into the skin
Maculopapular lesions become?
may coalesce into a more confluent morbilliform (measles-like) eruption
What is scarlatiniform?
A rash with multiple small papules that feels like sandpaper
Name common bacterial exanthems?
- scarlet fever
- staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- toxic shock syndrome
- meningococcemia
What is scarlet fever?
a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat
- the bacteria sometimes make a toxin which causes a rash (the scarlet of scarlet fever)
Cause of scarlet fever?
group A streptococcus
Features of scarlet fever?
- Diffuse, blanching erythema with “sandpaper” feel
- Erythema in flexural creases (Pastia lines)
- Desquamation occurs in fine, thin flakes as the acute phase of the illness resolves and is proportional to the intensity of the exanthem - May exfoliate
- flushed face
- perioral pallor
Complications of scarlet fever?
- Peritonsillar abscess
- rheumatic fever
- glomerulonephritis
Prevention/treatment of scarlet fever?
Prevent rheumatic fever with penicillin within 10 days of onset of pharyngitis
What is staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
a response to a toxin produced by a staphylococcal infection and is characterised by peeling skin
Cause of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
Staphylococcus aureus producing exfoliative toxin