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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Presence of Fever The potentially life-threatening rashes ( Table 88.2 ) are all acute illnesses most commonly associated with fever and significant systemic symptoms Erythema multiforme and rubeola have recognizable clinical appearances, whereas Kawasaki disease, RMSF, and dengue fever require a high level of clinical suspicion Drug hypersensitivity reactions can often cause fevers Potentially Life-threatening Illnesses Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions Please see Chapter 68 Rash: Drug Eruptions for a full discussion of drug reactions The spectrum of cutaneous drug eruptions ranges from the relatively benign to the severe Morphology of the eruption as well as suspected drug causing the eruption helps establish when clinicians should worry about morbidity and mortality Morphologies range from urticarial to morbilliform (sometimes called maculopapular) to pustular and vesiculobullous Many drug hypersensitivity reactions are associated with fever FIGURE 88.19 Schematic approach to morbilliform or mixed macular and papular eruptions