Childhood Infections

Question 1

Fever
Itchy, rash starting on head/trunk before spreading. Initially macular then papular then vesicular
Systemic upset is usually mild

Answer 1

Chickenpox

Question 2

Prodrome: irritable, conjunctivitis, fever

Koplik spots: white spots (‘grain of salt’) on buccal mucosa

Rash: starts behind ears then to whole body, discrete maculopapular rash becoming blotchy & confluent

Answer 2

Measles

Question 3

Fever, malaise, muscular pain
Parotitis (‘earache’, ‘pain on eating’): unilateral initially then becomes bilateral in 70%

Answer 3

Mumps

Question 4

Rash: pink maculopapular, initially on face before spreading to whole body, usually fades by the 3-5 day

Lymphadenopathy: suboccipital and postauricular

Answer 4

Rubella

Question 5

‘slapped-cheek syndrome’
parvovirus B19
Lethargy, fever, headache
rash spreading to proximal arms and extensor surfaces

Answer 5

Erythema infectiosum

Question 6

Reaction to erythrogenic toxins produced by Group A strep

Fever, malaise, tonsillitis

‘Strawberry’ tongue

Rash - fine punctate erythema sparing the area around the mouth (circumoral pallor)

Answer 6

Scarlet Fever

Question 7

Caused by the coxsackie A16 virus

Mild systemic upset: sore throat, fever

Vesicles in the mouth and on the palms and soles of the feet

Answer 7

Hand, Foot and Mouth