Eruptive fever is a medical term that refers to fever accompanied by a rash. The spelling of the word is /ɪˈrʌptɪv ˈfiːvər/, with stress on the second syllable of "eruptive" and the first syllable of "fever". The "e" in "eruptive" is pronounced as a schwa sound /ə/. The "ti" in "eruptive" is pronounced like "sh" /ʃ/ in a lot of English accents, and the "v" in "fever" is pronounced like "f" /f/. This terminology is commonly used in the field of dermatology to describe various skin diseases.
Eruptive fever is a medical term used to describe a sudden and intense increase in body temperature accompanied by various symptoms, often associated with infectious diseases. This term specifically refers to fevers that are characterized by the appearance of skin eruptions, such as rashes or blisters, as a prominent feature of the illness.
The primary cause of eruptive fever is typically a viral or bacterial infection, most commonly seen in childhood diseases such as measles, chickenpox, or scarlet fever. These infections stimulate the immune system, resulting in a rapid rise in body temperature. The fever itself is often accompanied by general malaise, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or vomiting.
The term "eruptive" is used to emphasize the skin eruptions that often occur alongside the fever, which may appear as red spots, raised bumps, or fluid-filled blisters. These skin manifestations play a crucial role in diagnosing the underlying disease and determining the appropriate treatment.
Treatment of eruptive fever aims to address the underlying infection causing the symptoms. This may involve antiviral or antibiotic medications, as well as supportive care measures like rest, hydration, and fever-reducing medications. In some cases, specific interventions targeting the skin eruptions, such as calamine lotion for itching or topical antivirals, may be recommended.
It is essential to promptly identify and treat eruptive fever to prevent complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as children or individuals with weakened immune systems.
Exanthema.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "eruptive fever" is a medical term used to describe a group of infectious diseases that cause fever and skin eruptions, such as measles or scarlet fever.
The etymology of the term can be understood by examining the individual components:
- "Eruptive" derives from the Latin word "eruptus", the past participle of "erumpere", which means "to burst forth" or "to break out". In the context of a fever, it refers to the sudden appearance of a skin rash or eruption.
- "Fever" comes from the Latin word "febris", which means "fever" or "heat". It originally referred to a condition of increased body temperature associated with illness.
Therefore, "eruptive fever" literally suggests a fever accompanied by the bursting forth or eruption of skin lesions.