Which viral infection usually presents with a high fever followed by a maculopapular rash?

Roseola, also known as sixth disease, is characterized by a high fever that typically lasts for three to five days, followed by the sudden appearance of a maculopapular rash. The rash usually develops after the fever subsides, which is a hallmark of the condition. This distinct progression of symptoms—high fever preceding a rash—is what makes roseola easily recognizable among viral infections.

In contrast, while conditions like chickenpox, measles, and rubella can also present with fevers and rashes, their clinical presentations differ. Chickenpox is identified by its characteristic vesicular rash, which appears in crops and is often itchy. Measles usually presents with a high fever and cough, followed by a rash that typically starts at the hairline and spreads downward. Rubella presents with a mild fever and a rash that often starts from the face and spreads to the body, but it does not have the same high fever preceding rash sequence seen in roseola. Thus, the specific symptom sequence associated with roseola firmly aligns with the characteristics of this viral infection.