Dear Doctor,
The daughter of a friend of ours has recently developed symptoms which appear on the face of it to be tonsilitis in that her tonsils are red and slightly swollen with white blotches accompanied by a sore throat. But in conjunction with this she is suffering from a number of rashes which though initially around her ankles (accompanied by a slight swelling) are now around her abdomen. The Doctor dismisses them without fully explaining their cause and I can see no mention of a rash in these areas accompanying tonsilitis in all the material I have read. Is this just a coincidence or is it something more than tonsilitis? The young girl's mother is obviously concerned and would value your opinion.
Many Thanks
Reply: -----------------------
There is a great variety of infectious illnesses that may be associated with an exanthem or rash. Some exanthematous diseases will produce characteristic patterns such as that seen with measles, rubella, etc. Scarlet fever refers to a particular strain of streptococcal infection that is associated with throat infection and a rash that begins on the neck, upper chest, and extremities usually a couple days after the sore throat begins, and then spreads to the trunk. Viral infections often cause exanthema and are also a very common cause of pharyngitis as well.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
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