Viral Skin Infections, Symptoms and Treatment
Viral skin infections are a wide group of conditions. They can be a reaction to a virus inside your body, or they can be an actual infection of your skin. Read the article to know more.
Nivedita Dar2 Jan, 2025
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Viral Skin Infections: Different viruses causing infections and their signs. Viral skin infections are caused by a variety of viruses and can present in different ways, ranging from mild to severe. Here are some common viral skin infections. These infections can vary widely in severity and treatment options. Common childhood viral infections can cause widespread rashes.
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Which viruses are involved ?
Common childhood viral infections are measles, rubella, chickenpox, parvovirus, herpes virus, Epstein - Barr virus(EBV) and enterovirus infections. Some other diseases of skin are Pityriasis Rosea caused by HPV 6 & 7, Hand Foot and Mouth disease caused by enterovirus, papular acrodermatitis of childhood caused by EBV.Measles
Causative agents: Measles is caused by the measles virus, which belongs to the morbillivirus family. Measles is highly contagious and is easily spread from person to person by breathing in airborne respiratory droplets from an infected person's coughing or sneezing. Clinical features: Flat red spots ranging from 0.1 -- 1.0cm in diameter appear on the 4th or 5th day following the start of symptoms. Measles is presented as fever, malaise, and loss of appetite, followed by conjunctivitis (red eyes), cough, and blocked or runny nose.Rubella
Causative agent: Rubella is a viral disease caused by the rubella virus, in the Rubivirus genus. The disease is usually mild and of little significance unless you are pregnant. Complications : Infection of a pregnant woman (congenital rubella syndrome) commonly results in miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth of an infant with major birth abnormalities. Clinical features: Rubella is spread from person to person through direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected individuals. It is presented as Slight fever, sore throat, runny nose and malaise, Tender or swollen glands Rash begins on the face that spreads to the neck, trunk and extremities.Read More - Radiodiagnosis
Chickenpox
Causative agent: Chickenpox is caused by primary infection with the varicella-zoster virus, of the Herpesviridae family. Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that causes an acute fever and blistered rash. Clinical features: Chickenpox usually begins as itchy red papules progressing to vesicles on the stomach, back and face, and then spreading to other parts of the body. Blisters can also arise inside the mouth.Roseola
Causative agent: Roseola is a disease caused by the human herpes virus type 6B (HHV-6B) and possibly type 7 (HHV-7). Clinical features: Roseola is characterised by high fever lasting for 3–5 days, runny nose, irritability and tiredness. As the fever subsides a rash may appear on the face and body. Roseola is most commonly seen in children between 6 months and three years of age. Most children will have had roseola by the age of 1 year.Infectious mononucleosis
Causative agent: Infectious mononucleosis is a common infectious disease caused by Epstein - Barr virus (EBV). It is more commonly known as glandular fever. Prevalence : Infectious mononucleosis typically affects young adults aged 15–25 years. It is equally common in both sexes and affects all races. Up to nearly 95% of people have had EBV infection by the time they are adults. Clinical features: The clinical manifestations of infection are dependent on the interaction between virus and host immune system. The incubation period from contact until symptoms is usually 6-7 weeks.Read More - Pelvis and Perineum
Some other less prevalent viral infections:
Other viral syndromes with mucocutaneous features include pityriasis rosea , caused by human herpesviruses 6 and 7; hand, foot, and mouth disease , primarily due to Coxsackie virus, Haemorrhagic fevers caused by togavirus, bunyavirus, and arenavirus can be fatal, often presenting with skin bleeding. Smallpox , a deadly disease now hopefully eradicated by widespread vaccination. Arboviruses are responsible for chikungunya fever, dengue, dengue haemorrhagic fever, and Zika fever. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, including AIDS , is associated with various skin conditions, such as acute HIV infection syndrome.Viral Skin Infections FAQs
What are the primary clinical features of roseola, and which viruses are responsible for this disease?
Roseola is characterized by a high fever lasting 3–5 days, runny nose, irritability, and tiredness. As the fever subsides, a rash may appear on the face and body. The disease is caused by human herpesvirus type 6B (HHV-6B) and possibly type 7 (HHV-7).
Describe the clinical presentation of chickenpox and the causative agent behind it?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus from the Herpesviridae family. It begins with itchy red papules that progress to vesicles on the stomach, back, and face, eventually spreading to other parts of the body. Blisters can also form inside the mouth.
What are the clinical features of rubella, and why is it particularly concerning during pregnancy?
Rubella presents with slight fever, sore throat, runny nose, and malaise, followed by a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the neck, trunk, and extremities. During pregnancy, rubella is concerning because it can lead to congenital rubella syndrome, which may cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects.
What are some common childhood viral infections that can cause widespread rashes?
Common childhood viral infections that can cause widespread rashes include measles, rubella, chickenpox, parvovirus, herpes virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and enterovirus infections.
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