Roseola and erythema infectiosum vs Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease
How to tell Roseola and erythema infectiosum and Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Roseola is fever then rash; parvovirus is slapped cheek; measles is 3 Cs/Koplik; rubella nodes; HFMD oral/hand/foot lesions.
Side by side
Roseola is HHV-6 high fever followed by trunk rash after defervescence; erythema infectiosum is parvovirus B19 slapped-cheek rash with lacy body rash.
Measles has cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and Koplik spots; rubella has posterior auricular/suboccipital nodes; hand-foot-mouth disease is usually Coxsackie A16 with oral ulcers and hand/foot vesicles.
Roseola causes high fever followed by trunk rash after defervescence; erythema infectiosum causes slapped-cheek rash from parvovirus B19.
Measles causes cough/coryza/conjunctivitis/Koplik spots; rubella causes postauricular nodes and mild rash; hand-foot-mouth causes oral ulcers and hand/foot vesicles.
Roseola: HHV-6, fever then rash. Erythema infectiosum: parvovirus B19, slapped cheek/lacy rash.
Measles: 3 C plus Koplik. Rubella: posterior auricular/suboccipital nodes. HFMD: Coxsackie A16 oral ulcers plus hand/foot lesions.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Roseola is fever then rash; parvovirus is slapped cheek; measles is 3 Cs/Koplik; rubella nodes; HFMD oral/hand/foot lesions.
Try a free question
CoreA 12-month-old child has 3 days of high fever (40°C) without other symptoms, then the fever abruptly resolves AND a fine maculopapular rash appears on the trunk, spreading to the face and extremities. The child appears well. Which condition is most likely?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Roseola (exanthem subitum, HHV-6). Roseola (exanthem subitum, sixth disease) is caused by HHV-6 (occasionally HHV-7). Affects children 6 months-2 years. CLASSIC PATTERN: high fever (often 40°C) for 3-5 days, then ABRUPT defervescence followed by characteristic rose-pink maculopapular rash starting on trunk. Risk of febrile seizures during the fever phase. Benign and self-limited.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease, parvovirus B19) has 'slapped cheek' rash followed by lacy reticular rash on extremities.
- C. Measles has 3 Cs (cough, coryza, conjunctivitis) plus Koplik spots before the rash.
- D. Rubella has posterior auricular and suboccipital lymphadenopathy with rash that starts on face.
- E. HFMD has oral ulcers plus vesicles on hands and feet.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Roseola and erythema infectiosum?
Choose Roseola and erythema infectiosum when the stem gives this pattern: Roseola causes high fever followed by trunk rash after defervescence; erythema infectiosum causes slapped-cheek rash from parvovirus B19.
What clue supports Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease?
Choose Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Measles causes cough/coryza/conjunctivitis/Koplik spots; rubella causes postauricular nodes and mild rash; hand-foot-mouth causes oral ulcers and hand/foot vesicles.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Roseola and erythema infectiosum from Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease?
Roseola is fever then rash; parvovirus is slapped cheek; measles is 3 Cs/Koplik; rubella nodes; HFMD oral/hand/foot lesions.
What is the key clue for Roseola and erythema infectiosum?
Roseola is HHV-6 high fever followed by trunk rash after defervescence; erythema infectiosum is parvovirus B19 slapped-cheek rash with lacy body rash.
What is the key clue for Measles, rubella, and hand-foot-mouth disease?
Measles has cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and Koplik spots; rubella has posterior auricular/suboccipital nodes; hand-foot-mouth disease is usually Coxsackie A16 with oral ulcers and hand/foot vesicles.