Roseola (patient infomation)

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]

## Contents

* 1 Overview
* 2 What are the symptoms of Roseola?
* 3 What causes Roseola?
* 4 Who is at highest risk?
* 5 Diagnosis
* 6 When to seek urgent medical care?
* 7 Treatment options
* 8 Where to find medical care for Roseola?
* 9 What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
* 10 Possible complications
* 11 Prevention of Roseola
* 12 Sources

## Overview

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Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children in which a high fever and skin rash occur.

## What are the symptoms of Roseola?

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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:

* Irritability
* High fever that comes on quickly

## What causes Roseola?

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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.

## Who is at highest risk?

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The disease is common in children ages 3 months to 4 years, and most common in those ages 6 months to 1 year.

## Diagnosis

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* Physical exam of rash
* Swollen lymph nodes on the neck (cervical nodes) or back of the scalp (occipital nodes)

## When to seek urgent medical care?

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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.

## Treatment options

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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.

## Where to find medical care for Roseola?

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Directions to Hospitals Treating Roseola

## What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

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Most children with roseola fully recover.

## Possible complications

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* Aseptic meningitis (rare)
* Encephalitis (rare)
* Febrile seizure

## Prevention of Roseola

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The viruses that cause roseola are spread either through fecal-oral contact or via airborne droplets. Careful hand washing can help prevent the spread of these viruses.

## Sources

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000968.htm

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