RoseolaDefinition: Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children in which a high fever and skin rash occur.
Alternative Names: Exanthem subitum; Sixth disease
Causes, incidence, and risk factors: The disease is common in children ages 3 months to 4 years, and most common in those ages 6 months to 1 year. It is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), although similar syndromes are possible with other viruses.
Roseola occurs throughout the year. The time between becoming infected and the beginning of symptoms (incubation period) is 5 to 15 days.
Symptoms: The child may have a runny nose, sore throat, and eye redness.
A fever usually occurs before the rash appears. It lasts for 3 (sometimes up to 7) days. The fever may be as high as 105° Fahrenheit, and it generally responds well to acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Between the second and fourth day of the illness, the fever drops and a rash appears (often as the fever falls).
- The rash starts on the trunk and spreads to the limbs, neck, and face. The rash is pink or rose-colored, and has fairly small sores that are slightly raised.
- The rash lasts from a few hours to 2 - 3 days. It usually does not itch.
Other symptoms include:
Signs and tests:
- Physical exam of rash
- Swollen lymph nodes on the neck (cervical nodes) or back of the scalp (occipital nodes)
Treatment: There is no specific treatment. The disease usually gets better without complications.
Take steps to control a fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and cool sponge baths. If convulsions occur, call your health care provider, or go to the closest emergency room.
Expectations (prognosis): Most children with roseola fully recover.
Calling your health care provider: Call your health care provider if your child:
- Has a fever that does not go down with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) and a warm bath
- Continues to appear very sick
- Acts irritable or lethargic
Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has convulsions .
Prevention: The viruses that cause roseola are spread either through fecal-oral contact or via airborne droplets. Careful handwashing can help prevent the spread of these viruses.
References: Leach CT. Roseola (human herpesviruses 6 and 7). In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 253.
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