Rash Morphology as the First Branch Point
Placeholder: morphology is the first decision node in the classification tree.
- Morphology: Branch type (Placeholder short caption)
- 3: Options (Macular, vesicular, petechial)
- Petechial: Urgency flag (Placeholder short caption)
- Timing: Next branch (Placeholder short caption)
Why morphology comes first
Placeholder: visible lesion type narrows the differential fastest.
Placeholder highlight: petechial morphology always triggers urgent pathway.
Fever-Rash Timing as the Second Branch
Placeholder: relative timing of fever and rash refines the category.
- Timing: Branch type (Placeholder short caption)
- 3: Options (Before, with, after fever)
- Roseola: Classic example (Placeholder short caption)
- Distribution: Next branch (Placeholder short caption)
Why timing matters
Placeholder: fever-rash sequence separates several classic exanthems.
Placeholder highlight: rash after defervescence suggests roseola pattern.
Distribution Pattern as the Third Branch
Placeholder: spread pattern (centrifugal vs centripetal) adds specificity.
- Distribution: Branch type (Placeholder short caption)
- 3: Options (Centrifugal, centripetal, generalized)
- Erythema infectiosum: Classic example (Placeholder caption)
- Symptoms: Next branch (Placeholder short caption)
Why distribution helps
Placeholder: spread direction narrows overlapping morphology groups.
Placeholder highlight: centrifugal spread favors certain viral groups.
Associated Clinical Findings Refine the Branch
Placeholder: lymphadenopathy, enanthem, and toxicity refine further.
- Symptoms: Branch type (Placeholder short caption)
- 3: Options (Nodes, enanthem, toxicity)
- Toxicity: Red flag (Placeholder short caption)
- Outcome: Next branch (Placeholder short caption)
Why associated findings matter
Placeholder: extra clinical clues resolve remaining ambiguity.
Placeholder highlight: systemic toxicity always escalates urgency.
General Classification Framework — Converged Outcome
Placeholder: all branches converge into one general framework outcome.
- 3: Outcome groups (Classic, vesicular, petechial-urgent)
- 4: Branches used (Morphology, timing, distribution, symptoms)
- Triage aid: Purpose (Placeholder short caption)
- Pediatric: Scope (Placeholder short caption)
Reading the converged classification
Placeholder: combine all four branch answers into one category.
Placeholder highlight: this framework is a teaching aid, not a diagnosis.