Therapy
The therapy of the viral rash depends on the cause. Childhood diseases are usually treated symptomatically until the symptoms have subsided. This can be done with antipyretic or cough-relieving medication.
The virostatic drug acyclovir can be used for infections with varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, however, Aciclovir is only of limited use and should therefore be discussed in detail with the treating physician. In addition, there are some general measures for skin rashes that you can take yourself, so that the rash disappears quickly and heals without consequences.
One should not scratch in the area of the exanthema, as further pathogens can penetrate the body via injured skin areas. In addition, hot baths and showers should be avoided, as these additionally irritate the skin. For personal hygiene, it is also advisable to use a pH-neutral shower gel and not aggressive, perfumed soaps or lotions.
Diagnosis
The clinical picture and the medical history can already give the doctor clues as to the cause of the exanthema. For example, the rash of some viral pathogens occurs at typical body localizations or is typical for a certain season. For example, the pathogen causing the three-day fever typically causes a rash on the neck and trunk of the body and often occurs in spring or autumn. The patient’s general condition can also be a determining factor; for example, measles disease is accompanied by a severe feeling of illness. If the clinical examination does not allow a clear diagnosis, this can be supplemented by blood tests and smears followed by microscopic examination of the tissue.
Virus exanthema in infants and babies
The reason why viral exanthema is more frequent in infants and toddlers is that this age group is more susceptible to viral infections. Newborns have some immunity from the mother for a few weeks to months after birth. This protection can be further increased by breastfeeding the baby.However, if this protection eventually lapses, children are not protected against viral pathogens to the same extent as adults with a mature immune system, since the body’s own immunity has to develop over time. For example, vaccinations against viral pathogens such as the varicella zoster virus (the pathogen that causes chickenpox) are not carried out until the age of 12 months, which is when the disease can occur more frequently.
