The article “Evaluating the Febrile Patient with a Rash” (August 15, 2000, page 804) contained an error in the last complete sentence on page 809. The sentence should have been stated this way: “Recurrent episodes of erythema multiforme minor usually precede an outbreak of herpes simplex by several days.” Question 8 of the “Clinical Quiz” was misleading as a result of this error. Choice E of Question 8 appears to represent a correct response to the question (that is, it appears to be an incorrect statement); however, choice E is actually a correct statement and therefore an incorrect answer choice. The correct choice for Question 8 is B.
Q8. Which one of the following statements about erythema multiforme is incorrect?
- A. At least 50 percent of cases are idiopathic.
- B. Oral corticosteroids are recommended to attenuate the symptoms.
- C. The minor form tends to be limited to extensor surfaces of the extremities.
- D. Bullous lesions and systemic symptoms characterize the major form.
- E. Recurrent episodes usually precede an outbreak of herpes simplex virus by several days.
