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Viral Exanthems

»	What is the difference between an exanthem and an enanthem?
»	Which viruses cause exanthems?
»	How do viruses cause exanthems?
»	Which viruses cause morbilliform (measles-like) eruptions?
»	Which viruses cause grouped blisters on a red base?
»	Which viruses cause hand, foot, and mouth disease?
»	What is the difference between Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and papular acrodermatitis of childhood?
»	Which are the most common viruses that cause papular acrodermatitis of childhood?
»	Which virus classically causes a lacy eruption?
»	Which viruses cause scarlatina (scarlet fever–like) eruptions?
»	Which virus causes purpura of the hands and feet?
»	Do viral exanthems cause petechiae?
»	Can viral exanthems be on one half of the body?
»	Which disorder most commonly mimics a viral morbilliform eruption?
»	What are the clinical features of roseola infantum (exanthem subitum, sixth disease)?
»	How does sunlight exposure affect a viral exanthem?
»	What is the STAR complex?
»	Which viruses cause the STAR complex?

Which viruses cause exanthems?

Of the hundreds of viruses that infect humans, almost all may produce an exanthem. Some viruses produce an exanthem in most infected persons. These include measles, rubella, the human herpes viruses, and parvovirus B19. A few viruses produce an exanthema in less than 1% of those infected; these include mumps, respiratory syncytial, and equine encephalitis.

Scott LA, Stone M: Viral exanthems, Dermatol Online J 9:4, 2003.

Weston WL, Lane AT, Morelli JG: Viral infections. In Weston WL, Lane AT, Morelli JG, editors: Color textbook of pediatric dermatology, 4th ed, St Louis, 2007, Mosby, pp 113–138.