A viral exanthem rash is spots, bumps or blotches on your skin that accompany a viral infection. It may or may not be itchy. The rash can start anywhere on the body, often on your face or trunk, and then spread. It may be associated with other virus symptoms. There’s no cure for most viral infections, so treatment aims to make you more comfortable.
Exanthem is a medical term that describes a widespread rash. A viral exanthem rash accompanies a viral infection. It causes spots, bumps or blotches on your skin. You also might experience additional viral symptoms such as fever, fatigue and body aches.
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An exanthem also can accompany a bacterial infection, or it may be a reaction to a medication. But a viral exanthem rash is associated specifically with a virus. The symptoms may be similar, but the causes and treatments often differ.
Anyone can get a viral exanthem rash, including children.
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These rashes are common, and so are many of the viruses that cause them.
A virus can cause a viral exanthem rash in one of three ways:
Viruses that commonly cause exanthem rash include:
Other viruses that may cause viral exanthem rash include:
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A viral exanthem rash causes spots, bumps or blotches on your skin. They can appear anywhere on your body but often start on your face or trunk and then spread. The rash may or may not be itchy.
People often have other viral symptoms, such as:
The viruses that cause viral exanthem rashes are contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Ask a healthcare provider when you or your child can go back to work, school, daycare or other activities around people.
It’s important to be especially careful around those who are pregnant and people with compromised immune systems. Immunocompromised people include those with HIV, organ transplant recipients and people receiving certain cancer treatments. Viruses can be especially dangerous to someone who is immunocompromised.
A healthcare provider can usually diagnose a viral exanthem rash based on your symptoms. Occasionally, they may order a blood test or a swab of your nose or throat to identify the virus.
Treatment aims to ease symptoms of the skin rash and other virus symptoms. For example, your healthcare provider might recommend lotions or creams to reduce itchiness, and acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lower fever and relieve body aches.
But there’s no treatment or cure for most viruses. You usually have to wait for the virus to run its course.
To reduce the risk of viral exanthem rashes, you should use strategies to prevent getting a viral infection:
If you’re sick, additional strategies can help you prevent giving a virus to others:
A viral rash can last a few days to a few weeks. It depends on the type of viral infection and how long it takes to run its course. Talk to a healthcare provider about how long your rash might last and how long you might be contagious.
Most viral rashes have no long-term effects, but if you scratch too much, you can cause scars or skin infections.
If you or your child has a viral exanthem rash:
Call your healthcare provider anytime you aren’t getting better as expected. Also, seek medical attention if you or your child has signs of skin infection:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A viral exanthem rash is an eruption of spots, bumps or splotches that might occur with various viral infections. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to prevent and treat viral infections.
Last reviewed on 03/18/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy