ABSTRACT
Viral diseases frequently have cutaneous manifestations, most of which are self-limited and of little consequence; however, there are occasions when a viral cutaneous disease may be accompanied by systemic manifestations that can be life threatening. In general, healthy children and adults are at little risk for these severe complications. Persons at highest risk for systemic involvement include patients who are immunosuppressed, as well as neonates, extremely elderly persons, and the undernourished population. Because many viruses have some form of cutaneous exanthem, almost any virus known to have systemic involvement can be considered a dermatologic emergency. This chapter focuses mainly on those viruses in which the cutaneous ndings would be likely to prompt dermatologic investigation in an emergency situation.
