An elderly patient has arrived at the physician's office complaining of a rash. Upon further ...

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All of the characteristics point to herpes zoster. The vesicles erupt for 3 to 5 days along the nerve pathway (hence the reason for the burning pain). Eruptions usually are unilateral in the thoracic region, trunk, or face. Rubella (German measles) is characterized by a diffuse, punctuate, macular rash that begins on the trunk and spreads to the arms and legs. Varicella (chickenpox) has a macular stage where it develops within hours over the trunk, spreading to the limbs, mucosa, scalp, axillae, upper respiratory tract, and conjunctiva. HPV causes genital warts and is a sexually transmitted disease.