Roseola
About Roseola
Roseola (also known as sixth disease, exanthem subitum, and roseola infantum) is a viral illness in young children, most
Usually affect between 6 months and 2 years old. It is usually characterized by a high fever for several days, followed
breaking through a distinct rash as the fever.
Two common and closely related viruses can roseola: human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 and possibly give 7th This
Viruses are not lead to the same family as the better-known herpes viruses (HSV) simplex, but HHV-6 and HHV-7
Cold sores and genital herpes HSV infections that can cause.
Signs and symptoms
A child with roseola typically develops a mild disease of the upper respiratory tract, characterized by a high fever (often over 103 ° F, or follow
39.5 ° C) for up to one week. During this time, the child may appear fussy or irritable and may have a decreased appetite
and swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck.
The high fever often ends abruptly, and about the same time a pinkish-red flat or raised rash appears on the trunk and
extending over the body. The rash spots blanch (turn white) when you touch them, and individual spots may be an easier
"Halo" around them. The rash usually spreads to the neck, face, arms and legs.
The fast-rising fever that comes with roseola triggers febrile seizures (convulsions caused by high fevers) in about 10%
to 15% of young children. Signs of a febrile seizure include:
Unconsciousness
2 to 3 minutes of jerking or twitching in the arms, legs or face
Loss of control of the bladder or bowel
Contagiousness
Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. These drops
are expelled when an infected person talks, laughs, sneezes or coughs. Other people who breathe or touch the drops
they then touch their own nose or mouth can also be infected.
The viruses that cause roseola do not appear to be distributed by the children while they are having symptoms of the disease.
Instead, anyone who has not yet developed symptoms often spreads the infection.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Because the infection usually in young children, but rarely
Adults, it is believed that a bout of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity against the disease. Repeat cases
of roseola may occur, but they are not common.
Time
The fever of roseola lasts for 3-7 days followed by a rash from hours to a few days.
Professional treatment
To make a diagnosis, your doctor first will take a history and a thorough physical examination. A diagnosis of roseola
is often uncertain until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor can test to make sure that the fever
not any other type of infection.
Roseola usually does not require professional treatment, and if it works, most of the treatment is to reduce the high target
Fever. Antibiotics can not treat roseola because a virus, a bacterium not, it causes.
Home Treatment
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help your child to reduce fever. Do not give
Aspirin has been brought to a child who has a viral illness because its use has in such cases with Reye's syndrome that the
can lead to liver failure and death.
While some parents use tepid sponge baths to help lower fever, there is no evidence that this really works. In
Sponge baths can actually make children uncomfortable. Never give your child ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, fans, or cold
Bathrooms.
To prevent dehydration from fever, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips,
Children's electrolyte solutions, flat sodas like ginger ale or lemon-lime (stir at room temperature soda fizz up
disappears), or clear broth. If you are still breastfeeding, breast milk can prevent dehydration as well.
When to call the doctor
Call the doctor if your child is lethargic or not drinking or if you can not keep the fever down. If your child has a
Seizure, seek emergency care immediately.