Flu Symptoms Accompanied by a Rash

Flu symptoms accompanied by a rash are often attributed to allergies or relatively common illnesses. Individuals experiencing flu symptoms with a rash should be seen by a physician to begin treatment and rule out potentially life-threatening problems such as Lyme disease or severe allergic reactions.

Flu Symptoms Accompanied by a Rash

Allergies

Foods, medications, insect bites and even a flu virus itself may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. Rashes, itching, congestion and a general feeling of unwell are common symptoms of an allergy.

Common Childhood Diseases

Common childhood diseases including chicken pox, measles and fifth disease all cause flu symptoms with a rash. These illnesses usually occur in children, but adults who were not vaccinated or never had the diseases as a child are susceptible as well.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, which is contracted through tick bites, usually begins with flu-like symptoms and a localized rash where a person was bitten. In more advanced cases, the rash may spread to other parts of the body and severe symptoms may occur.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is contracted by individuals infected with streptococcus, or strep throat. Flu symptoms accompanied by a lacy-like rash are indicative of scarlet fever.

Hand-Foot-Mouth Virus

This viral infection is more common in children, but may strike at any age. Common symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, mouth sores and a rash on the hands, feet and genitals.

References

• National Library of Medicine on Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
• Lyme Disease Foundation
• Mayo Clinic on Allergies

Resources

• National Library of Medicine on Rashes