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.