Many viral infections—such as measles, chickenpox, and rubella—cause rashes, spots, or sores on the skin, as well as other symptoms. Herpesviruses often cause rashes and sores (see Viral Infections: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections). However, in two common viral infections, warts and molluscum contagiosum, the virus remains solely within the skin and does not spread to other parts of the body.

Last full review/revision January 2013 by James G. H. Dinulos, MD