Erythema infectiosum: an epidemic that mimics rubeola.

Erythema infectiosum occurs mainly in epidemics among school children and is often misdiagnosed as rubella, rubeola, or another exanthem. This may cause unnecessary treatment and prolonged absence from school. Etiology is presumably viral, and mode of transmission presumably droplet nuclei, but neither of these factors are proven. Diagnosis at present is based on clinical information only. This paper reports the investigation of 80 cases within a school, through the cooperation of community physicians and health unit personnel.