| Malaria | Plasmodium species | Uncommon; petechial hemorrhage may be seen in severe cases | Cyclic fever, headaches, myalgias | Thick and thin blood smears; rapid antigen test |
| Dengue fever | Flavivirus | Maculopapular rash over the trunk with sparing of the palms and soles | Fever, retro-orbital pain, severe myalgia (“break-bone fever”) | Serology |
| Chikungunya fever | Chikungunya virus | Maculopapular rash with discrete areas of sparing | Fever, headache, severe arthralgia and arthritis | Serology |
| Infectious mononucleosis | Epstein–Barr virus | Maculopapular urticarial rash associated with antibiotic use | Fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis | Monospot test; serology |
| Scarlet fever | β-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes | “Sandpaper-like rash” on the trunk, spreading to the extremities | Fever, headache, exudative pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, strawberry tongue | Throat culture; rapid antigen test; antistreptolysin O titres |
| Erythema infectiosum | Parvovirus B19 | “Slapped-cheek” rash progressing to lacy reticular rash over the trunk and extremities | Fever, headache, coryza, arthritis, arthralgia | Serology |
| Rubeola (measles) | Measles virus | Maculopapular rash beginning on the face and neck, spreading centrifugally | Fever, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots | Serology |
| Rubella | Rubella virus | Pink maculopapular rash beginning on the forehead, then spreading over the trunk | Fever, lymphadenopathy, arthralgias, arthritis, petechiae on the palate | Serology |