rose-spots

Last reviewed 01/2018

These are red macular lesions 2-4 mm in diameter occurring in patients suffering from Salmonella infection i.e. typhoid and paratyphoid. These fevers occur following infection by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi respectively.

Rose-spots occur in 50% of cases of enteric fever, and they appear between the seventh and twelfth day from the onset of symptoms. They occur in crops, of 5-10 lesions on the lower chest and upper abdomen, and they are more numerous following paratyphoid infection.

Rose-spots may also occur following invasive non-typhoid salmonellosis.

Rose spots last for 3-4 days.

Reference:

  • Mandal, BH (1992), Salmonella Infections, Medicine International, 105, 4393-4397.