The six classic childhood exanthems: a review and update.

The six classic exanthems of childhood have many similar physical findings. Familiarity with them, as well as with important laboratory data, allows early and accurate diagnosis of these often confusing diseases. Recognition and treatment of possible sequelae also improve prognosis. In this review we discuss epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, pathologic and laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of each of the exanthems.