title: Cutaneous (non-HIV) infections.
abstract: Cutaneous infections continue to represent a large proportion of inpatient dermatology. Though most infectious skin diseases do not warrant hospitalization, some do and can rapidly become fatal if not treated promptly. A selected group of infections are reviewed--primary cutaneous infections, exotoxin-mediated syndromes, and systemic infections--that warrant hospitalization. Dermatologists play a critical role in the synthesis of patient history and appreciation of morphologic skin disease, which, when coupled with appropriate lab tests, may help to establish a diagnosis allowing for the timely implementation of effective and targeted therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Adal
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tomecki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004886:Erysipelas / Q000175:diagnosis; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000175:diagnosis; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013206:Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis