Some Viral Infections in Children That Cause a Rash
Infection | Incubation Period* | Contagious Period† | Site of Rash | Nature of Rash in Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Measles (rubeola) | 7 to 21 days (an average of 11 to 12 days) | From 4 days before until 4 days after the rash appears | Starts on the face around the ears and on the side of the neck Spreads to the trunk, arms, palms, soles, and legs | Begins 3 to 7 days after fever and other symptoms start and lasts 4 to 7 days Red in people with light skin and can be purplish or darker than the surrounding area in people with dark skin Flat at first then becomes raised and merges into larger red areas |
Rubella (German measles) | 17 days Can be as short as 12 days or as long as 23 days | From 1 week before until 1 week after the rash appears (Except in newborns, who usually continue to be contagious for many months) | Starts on the face and neck Spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs | Begins a 1 to 5 days after fever and other symptoms begin and lasts 3 to 5 days Similar to measles rash but not as red and does not merge to form large red areas |
Roseola infantum (exanthem subitum or pseudorubella) | About 9 to 10 days | Unknown | Starts on the chest and abdomen and usually spreads to the face, arms, and legs | Begins after a high fever decreases and lasts for a few hours to 2 days Red and flat, not itchy |
Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease or parvovirus B19 infection) | 4 to 14 days | From before the start of the rash until the rash appears | Starts on the cheeks ("slapped-cheek" appearance) Spreads to the arms, legs, and trunk but not the palms or soles | Begins several days after fever and other symptoms begin and lasts 5 to 10 days Red, raised, blotchy areas with lacy patterns Can be itchy |
Chickenpox (varicella) | 14 to 16 days (full range 10 to 21 days) | 1 to 2 days before the first spots appear until all spots have crusted | Starts on the face and trunk Spreads to the arms and legs | Begins 1 to 2 days after the start of fever and other symptoms and lasts 4 to 7 days until all spots are crusted over; healing of crusted spots takes longer Rash appears in crops of small, red spots that become raised and form very itchy, round, blisters that then crust over |
* The incubation period is the number of days between when a person becomes infected with a virus (or other infections organisms, such as bacteria) and when symptoms begin. | ||||
† The contagious period is the time period that an infected person can spread an infection to others. Infections can spread during the contagious period even if people do not have symptoms. | ||||
