Roseola (patient information)

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Roseola

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]

Overview

Roseola is a disease of infants. It is characterized by an abrupt rise in body temperature to as high as 40°C (104°F) followed by a rapid drop to normal within the next 2–4 days which coincides with the appearance of an erythematous maculopapular skin rash that persists for 1–3 days. It is typically a beningn disease which resolves without sequalae.

Causes

Roseola 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.

Symptoms

The time between becoming infected and the beginning of symptoms (incubation period) is 5 to 15 days.

The first symptoms include:

  • Eye redness
  • Irritability
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • High fever, that comes on quickly and may be as high as 105° F (40.5° C) and can last 3 to 7 days. About 2 to 4 days after becoming sick, the child's fever lowers and a rash appears. This rash most often:

Starts on the middle of the body and spreads to the arms, legs, neck, and face Is pink or rose-colored Has small sores that are slightly raised The rash lasts from a few hours to 2 to 3 days. It usually does not itch.

Exams and tests

Treatment

Possible complications

When to contact a medical profeesional

Prevention

Alternative names