| exanthema subitum | An acute, short-lived, viral disease of infants and young children characterised by a high fever at onset that drops to normal after 3-4 days and the concomitant appearance of a macular or maculopapular rash that appears first on the trunk and then spreads to other areas. It is the sixth of the classical exanthematous diseases and is caused by hhv-6 (herpes virus 6, human). (12 Dec 1998) |
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| exanthem subitum | <dermatology> Also called baby measles. This is a nonserious but common childhood viral infection that starts with a high fever and swollen lymph glands. After 24 hours, the fever breaks and the child develops a red rash on the neck and trunk. (27 Sep 1997) |