Roseola
What is roseola?Roseola is a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem.
Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin eruption. Roseola is a
contagious disease marked by a high fever and a rash that develops as the
fever decreases.
What causes roseola?
Roseola is probably caused by more than one virus. The most common cause
appears to be human herpesvirus-6 virus. It occurs mostly in children
under the age of 3. It occurs mostly in the spring and fall.
What are the symptoms of roseola?It may take between five to 15 days for a child to develop
symptoms of roseola after being exposed to the disease. A child is
probably most contagious during the period of high fever, before the rash
occurs. The following are the most common symptoms of roseola. However,
each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- high fever that starts abruptly
- fever (may last three to four days)
- irritability
- swelling of the eyelids
- rash (As the fever decreases, a pink rash, with either flat or
raised lesions, starts to appear on the trunk and then spreads to the
face, arms, and legs.)
The most serious complication of roseola is febrile seizures. As the
child's temperature becomes high, there is a chance that the child will
have a seizure.
The symptoms of roseola may resemble other skin conditions or medical
problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How is roseola diagnosed?
Roseola is usually diagnosed based on a medical history and physical
examination of your child. The rash of roseola that follows a high fever
is unique, and suggests the diagnosis simply on physical examination.
Treatment for roseola:
Specific treatment for roseola will be determined by your
child's physician based on:
- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or
therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
The goal of treatment for roseola is to help decrease the severity of
the symptoms. Since it is a viral infection, there is no cure for roseola.
Treatment may include:
- increased fluid intake
- acetaminophen for fever (DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN)
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