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Home :: Family Health :: Roseola Infantum Roseola Infantum - Roseola Infantum symptom, treatment, causes
Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children characterised by high fever without apparent cause, and the appearance of a rash when the fever goes down. The cause is believed to be the recently discovered human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6). The fever (39.5 to 40.5°C) lasts 3 to 5 days. Febrile CONVULSIONS (fits) may occur as the temperature rises. The fever drops suddenly and a patchy rash appears, first on the trunk and soon on the face, arms and legs. The rash rarely lasts more than 2 days, and may be so slight that it is not noticed. The only treatment is to keep the child as cool as possible, by tepid sponging and giving paracetamol, to reduce the risk of convulsions.
Roseola is one of the very common mild viral illnesses that can cause a temperature and rash in babies and young children (aged between six months and three years). It is typically marked by several days of high fever , followed by a distinctive rash just as the fever breaks. Symptoms begin about 5 to 15 days after infection. A fever of 103 to 105° F begins abruptly and lasts for 3 to 5 days. In 5 to 15% of children, seizures occur as a result of high fever, particularly as the fever begins and rises quickly. A few children have a mild runny nose, sore throat, or an upset stomach. The lymph nodes at the back of the head, the sides of the neck, and behind the ears may be enlarged. The fever usually disappears on the fourth day. Two common and closely related viruses can cause roseola human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 and possibly type 7. These two viruses belong to the same family as the better-known herpes simplex viruses (HSV), but HHV-6 and HHV-7 do not cause the cold sores and genital herpes infections that HSV can cause.
Causes of Roseola Infantum
The common Causes of Roseola Infantum :
- Roseola is caused by human herpes virus (HHV) type 6 and type 7.
Symptoms of Roseola Infantum
Some common Symptoms of Roseola Infantum :
- An abrupt onset of high fever.
- Irritability.
- Children with roseola recover fully, usually within a week.
- The rash lasts from a few hours to one or two days.
- Roseola may also cause a fever without the rash.
- Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ears .
Treatment of Roseola Infantum
- Treat a fever over 38.5ºC with paracetamol, following dosage instructions for your child's age and weight.
- It is best to keep any unwell child home from child care or creche for two good reasons the sick child needs extra attention, and the other children at the childcare centre or creche shouldn't be exposed to infection.
- Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
- Lukewarm sponge baths.
- Plenty of fluids .
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