Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Adult rashes with fever call for emergency treatment, can signal life-threatening illness

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/aoa-arw100515.php

Public Release: 5-Oct-2015
Adult rashes with fever call for emergency treatment, can signal life-threatening illness
Survival rates improve with aggressive, early treatment for these difficult to diagnose conditions
American Osteopathic Association

Adults with skin rashes accompanied by a fever of 100.5 or higher warrant a trip to the emergency room because the combination of symptoms can be associated with several life-threatening conditions, according to the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians.

Taken individually, rashes and fevers may seem benign, but the combination can be indicative of serious or life-threatening illness in adults. Survival rates increase dramatically for patients who receive quick, aggressive treatment for the underlying cause of the rash, said Christine Giesa, DO, FACOEP-d, director of osteopathic medical education for Crozer-Keystone Health System in Pennsylvania.

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Some of the most serious rash-related illnesses are:

Toxic Shock Syndrome, caused by a bacterial infection
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, often caused by medication
Staph Scalded Skin Syndrome, caused by a bacterial infection
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, caused by ticks
Meningococcemia, an airborne bacteria
Purpura Fulminans, a thrombotic disorder
Strep Toxic Shock Syndrome, caused by a bacterial infection

These conditions are relatively rare and notoriously difficult to diagnosis, Dr. Giesa explained, making it important for patients and physicians to understand the need to seek quick medical attention.

"Children often contract mild viral illnesses that cause rashes accompanied by a fever. In an adult population, the combination demands further investigation to identify the underlying illness at its earliest, most treatable stage," she explained.

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