Case:

An 18-month-old girl is brought to the office by her mother for an acute visit because of a rash. She had a subjective high fever for the past 3 days, along with some mild respiratory symptoms of cough and rhinorrhea. She was given acetaminophen for the fever, but no other medications. The fever has gone down in the past day, but today she developed an erythematous rash that developed suddenly starting on the trunk and spread to the extremities. The child has no significant medical history and no known sick contacts, although she attends day care 3 days a week. On examination, she is mildly fussy but is easily consolable in her mother’s lap. On examination, her rash in the areas mentioned above consists of small macules and papules that blanch on palpation. The remainder of her examination is unremarkable.

Questions: 

What is the most likely diagnosis?

What is the most likely cause of this illness?

What is the appropriate treatment?

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