Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the cause of fever with a rash is usually made purely clinically, as the rashes are all characteristically different from each other. Important is the localization of the rash, when it appeared and of course how old the person is. To confirm a suspected infection, a blood sample can be taken and the leukocyte value, i.e. the value of the white blood cells, can be determined.
If leukopenia is present, a lack of leukocytes, an infaction is very likely. However, this is usually not necessary, since the diagnosis is already quite certain without taking a blood sample. In order to identify a specific pathogen as confirmation, antibodies can be determined in serum against the specific pathogen that is suspected.
Therapy
Since a rash with fever can have various causes, the therapy depends on the underlying problem. If a bacterium is the trigger, it can be treated with antibiotics. With viral pathogens it becomes more difficult because there is no specific therapy against these viruses; symptomatic treatment is carried out. This means that the symptoms, such as fever, are combated individually and not the pathogen itself. However, this is not bad, since viral diseases are usually self-limiting and heal on their own.
Three-day fever
Three-day fever (Exanthema subitum, Roseola infantum) is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects infants and toddlers. Nevertheless, the three-day fever can also occur in older children, adolescents and adults. The disease is caused by the herpes viruses HHV6 and 7 (human herpes viruses).
Between the time of infection and the onset of the disease, 7 to 17 days may pass.The three-day fever typically lasts three to five days. The three-day fever then begins with a feverish phase of illness. During this phase, breathing difficulties, coughing and gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhoea and vomiting can occur.
Care must be taken to ensure that those affected, especially if they are babies or children, drink enough fluids, as a lot of fluid is lost in diarrhoea. After the fever has subsided, a skin rash develops which is typical of the disease. The rash (exanthema) often appears on the stomach, chest, back and can spread to the arms and legs, rarely even to the face and scalp.
The exanthema appears finely spotted, light red. The rash disappears after about three days. Many infants and toddlers are still grouchy and extremely cranky for several days after the symptoms have subsided.
In addition, the disease runs without symptoms and unnoticed in many children. The three-day fever leaves behind a lifelong immunity. Secondary diseases occur only very rarely.
It usually takes 7 to 17 days before the disease breaks out. The three-day fever initially manifests itself in the form of a characteristic, intensive fever phase that lasts three to five days. After the fever phase, the typical rash develops, which also lasts for about three days.
As a result, there is usually a fever phase lasting three days, followed by a skin rash lasting three days. Overall, this means that the three-day fever lasts for an average of six to eight days. The prognosis is good and the children recover quickly from the disease. In many children, the three-day fever even runs asymptomatically and unnoticed.
