Roseola is typified by several days of high fever, which culminate in a rash that appears as the fever breaks. Roseola is caused by a strain of non-sexually transmitted herpes, either the HHV-6 or the HHV-7 virus. Roseola is highly contagious and typically lasts up to a week.
Symptoms of Roseola
Symptoms of roseola include:
- Sudden, high fever, usually over 103 F, for up to a week.
- Some children may have a slight sore throat, runny nose, mild diarrhea, puffy eyelids or swollen glands prior to the fever.
- The child may be irritable, fussy, not "themselves" and may refuse to eat.
- The fever usually ends abruptly, just as a pink to red rash appears all over the child’s body. There may be a white ring around some parts of the rash. The rash is not itchy or uncomfortable.
In up to 15% of cases, the high fever of roseola leads to febrile seizures in young children. Symptoms of febrile seizure include:
- A few minutes of jerking or twitching in the body
- Loss of control of bowels or bladder
- Sudden unconsciousness
Although frightening, febrile seizures rarely last long and are not usually harmful. If a child is experiencing a febrile seizure, contact emergency personnel immediately. Then help the child lay down on the floor and loosen its clothing. Turn the child to one side to allow saliva to flow freely from the mouth, and do not put anything in his mouth. The child may be very sleepy after the seizure.
Diagnosing Roseola
The pediatrician will need to do a thorough physical exam and he may order tests to determine other possible causes of fever. Otherwise, the physician will usually be unable to make a diagnosis until the rash appears.
Treatment of Roseola
Treatment of roseola does not include antibiotics, as they treat bacteria, and roseola is a virus. Special lotions or creams are also unnecessary, as the rash is not particularly itchy. Parents can, however:
- Keep the child cool by bathing in lukewarm water (not cold water, as cold water can actually encourage febrile seizures)
- Do not bathe the child in alcohol, as the fumes are dangerous
- Do not overdress the child, as this can cause his temperature to go higher
- Give the child Tylenol or Motrin to decrease his fever – never give aspirin, as it can cause Reye’s Syndrome in children
- Encourage the child to drink frequently to avoid dehydration
- Encourage the child to rest as much as possible
Additional Risks and Concerns
Roseola can be dangerous in children with compromised immune systems, such as those who have received an organ transplant or who undergo cancer therapy. In these cases, roseola can develop more severely and cause other complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis. These children may be prescribed a drug called Cytovene to treat the roseola.
As roseola is highly contagious, if a parent knows that another child has roseola, he should take care not to expose his child. If the child contracts roseola, parents should keep the child away from others until the rash appears and the fever has broken. As a general rule of precaution against most illnesses, parents should ensure that the child learns to wash his hands thoroughly and frequently.
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