Rose spots

Rose spots are red macular lesions 2-4 millimeters in diameter occurring in patients suffering from enteric fever (which includes typhoid and paratyphoid). These fevers occur following infection by Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi respectively. Rose spots may also occur following invasive non-typhoid salmonellosis. Rose spots occur in approximately 50% of cases of typhoid fever, and are a classic sign of the disease. They appear as a rash between the seventh and twelfth day from the onset of symptoms. They occur in groups of five to ten lesions on the lower chest and upper abdomen, and they are more numerous following paratyphoid infection. Rose spots typically last three to four days.