What Is Roseola Infantum?
Roseola infantum (the sixth disease or exanthema subitum) is a common mild viral illness primarily affecting infants and toddlers. Children infected with this disease typically have a high-grade fever followed by the development of a rash that does not itch or hurt. It is caused by a human herpes virus 6 or, occasionally, human herpes virus 7 that spreads from one to another. Roseola infantum is usually not a severe problem. However, it is a clinically diagnosed, self-limited illness that needs symptomatic treatment.
Who Can Get Roseola Infantum?
Anyone can get roseola infantum, but the virus mainly affects children between six months and three years. They are at particular risk of acquiring the disease because they lack antibodies against many viruses. Newborns are well protected by antibodies developed by their mothers during pregnancy. But this immunity diminishes with time. As a result, the roseola infantum infection most frequently occurs in the spring and fall.
What Causes Roseola Infantum?
Because roseola infantum is usually caused by a human herpes virus 6, it is sometimes known as the sixth disease. Less frequently, it can occur due to the human herpesvirus 7. However, unlike other childhood viral illnesses and chicken pox that transmit rapidly, roseola infantum rarely results in a communitywide outbreak.
What Are the Symptoms of Roseola Infantum?
Symptoms can take about nine to ten days to develop after exposure to an infected person or may not appear. It is also possible to get infected with roseola but not show any sign of it. The symptoms may include:
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Fever - A high-grade fever (often above 103 degrees Fahrenheit or 39.5 degrees Celcius) is often the first sign of illness. The fever may last from three to seven days.
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Rash - Once the fever goes away, a rash often appears on the stomach that may spread to the back, neck, arms, belly, legs, and face. The rash is made of flat, pink, or red spots or patches that are not itchy or painful. The rash can disappear after a few hours or days but may be noticeable for one to two days.
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Seizures - A febrile seizure or a seizure due to on quick rise in body temperature may occur. However, this type of seizure is rarely harmful. However, one should seek emergency care if one believes their child has had a seizure.
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Children with roseola may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as:
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Runny nose.
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Slight cough.
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Diarrhea.
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Swollen lymph nodes.
Is Roseola Infantum Contagious?
Roseola infantum is no longer contagious after the fever goes away for 24 hours, even if the rash is still there. However, roseola is contagious and can spread from one person to another via saliva or other respiratory droplets when a person infected with roseola coughs, sneezes, or talks.
How Is Roseola Infantum Diagnosed?
Usually, no laboratory tests are necessary to diagnose roseola. Instead, diagnosis is based on telltale symptoms, such as a high fever followed by a rash. Sometimes the doctor may order a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
How Is Roseola Infantum Treated?
There is no specific treatment for roseola. The symptoms generally clear up naturally in about a week as the virus runs its course. To reduce the fever, the healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medications for infants or children, such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. Treatment is unnecessary for rash because it does not itch or cause pain. However, people with weakened immune systems may require antiviral medications like Ganciclovir. Take precautions when giving Aspirin to children or teenagers. Although Aspirin is approved in children above age 3, children and teenagers recovering from flu-like symptoms or chicken pox should never take it. This is because Aspirin has been related to Reye's syndrome, a rare but severe disorder, in such children.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies:
After the fever subsides, the child often feels better soon. Roseola infantum rash is painless and disappears in one to three days. No creams or ointments are needed. To treat the child's fever at home, the health care professional may recommend:
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Take plenty of rest. Let the child take proper rest in bed until the fever goes away.
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Take plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, such as water, lemon soda, an electrolyte rehydration solution, clear broth, and sports drinks.
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Give the child a lukewarm sponge bath or apply a cool, wet cloth to the forehead to soothe the fever.
How Is Roseola Infantum Prevented?
There is no vaccine or antiviral therapy to prevent roseola infantum. However, maintaining good hygiene is the most effective way to not spread the virus. To lower infection risk, the following tips may help:
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First, avoid coming in close contact with people infected.
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Make a habit of coughing and sneezing into the tissue or crook of an elbow.
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Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizers.
What Is the Prognosis or Outlook For People With Roseola Infantum?
Roseola infantum has an excellent prognosis. Most children recover from roseola infantum without any long-term health problems. However, immuno-compromised children, due to an organ transplant, cancers, and autoimmune are less resistant to viruses. So, they will likely get roseola complications, including pneumonia or encephalitis. Once infected, children acquire immunity to the virus, so they are unlikely to get the disease again. In addition, about 10 to 15 percent of children with roseola infantum experience febrile seizures due to a sudden rise in body temperature. The seizure typically lasts less than 15 minutes. These seizures are usually not harmful and are not a sign of epilepsy.
Conclusion:
Roseola infantum is a common self-limited childhood illness that rarely causes serious health problems. Symptoms usually improve with over-the-counter medications and simple home-based treatment. However, one should contact a healthcare professional if the child has a febrile seizure, even though these seizures are not a sign of epilepsy and are harmless. Unfortunately, the child may unknowingly infect others by the time symptoms appear. Therefore, once the child falls ill with the virus, take the proper hygiene measures to stop the spread of the virus.
