Roseola

Overview

Roseola is an infectious disease affecting babies and small children up to the age of two. It is caused by the human herpes viruses 6 and 7. The typical fever lasts three days on average and is followed by a short-lived skin rash, primarily on the torso. The child should rest
and be given lots of fluids. If febrile seizures occur for the first time, this should be discussed with a doctor.

Symptoms

• Incubation period: 5 to 15 days
• First phase with high fever
  • Child generally feels well
  • Increased occurrence of febrile seizures
  • Abrupt drop in temperature after three days
• Second phase with sudden onset of a skin rash
  • Small pink spots
  • Mainly on torso and neck
  • Lasts from a few hours to a maximum of three days

Accompanying symptoms and complications

• Swollen eyelids
• Swollen lymph nodes (throat)
• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Febrile seizures

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Pathogen
  • Human herpes viruses 6 and 7 (HHV 6 / HHV 7)
• Transmission
  • Droplet infection (sneezing, talking, coughing, saliva)

Consequences

• Lifelong immunity
• Herpes viruses remain in the body
  • Immunodeficiency can lead to the reactivation of the disease

Examination

• Physical examination
• Blood test (usually not necessary)

Treatment

• Painkillers and fever-reducing medication (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• No vaccine is available
• No established anti-viral therapy

What can I do myself?

• Reduce the fever (lukewarm calf wraps, only recommended from the age of 6 months)
• Give the child lots of fluids
• Rest, bed rest for high fever
• Child does not have to be isolated
• If known tendency of febrile seizures
  • Give fever-reducing medication at an early stage
  • Keep emergency medication at hand

When to see a doctor?

• Fever
  • During first two months of life (always)
  • > 40°C
  • > 3 days
• Signs of dehydration
  • Dry mucosa/skin
  • Baby: sunken soft spot on top of the head (fontanelle)
  • Reduced urinary output (dry nappies)
• Changes of consciousness (abnormally sleepy)
• Loss of consciousness, seizures
• Hypersensitivity to touch, stiff neck
• Laboured breathing, long breathing pauses

Synonyms

roseola, roseola infantum, exanthem subitum, sixth disease