ROSEOLA

ROSEOLA

Roseola, also known as the “sixth disease,” is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus. It manifests as fever and is followed by a skin rash. This condition is most common among children aged two years old and infrequently affects adults.  

In most cases, children only acquire mild symptoms of roseola and never manifest any clear signs of disease. In contrast, others may experience a comprehensive range of symptoms. Generally, roseola is not a serious condition. However, if a child gets a very high fever, it can lead to certain complications. Therefore, medications to reduce fever will be needed. 

Similar to other viral diseases, including common cold or flu, roseola can spread from one person to another through direct contact in saliva and secretions of an infected person.

SYMPTOMS

If a child is exposed to anyone with roseola and turns out infected with the virus, it mostly takes two weeks for symptoms and signs to show up. These symptoms may include:

  • Fever. Along with a sudden, high fever, other children may experience cough, sore throat, and runny nose, along with the fever that mostly lasts around 3 to 5 days.
  • Rash. The rash commonly begins on the abdomen, back, chest and spreads up in the arms and neck. It might or not reach the face and legs. Basically, the rash is not irritating or itchy, and it lasts only for a few hours or days. 

Additionally, other symptoms of roseola include:

  • Mild diarrhea
  • Irritability in children and infants
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Loss of appetite

Moreover, if your child’s fever is too high or he/she has a convulsion, it is best to seek immediate medical help.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of roseola is not easy since the first symptoms and signs are similar to other common diseases. Hence, even if your child has a sudden fever, your doctor might still wait for the roseola rash to appear. Also, your doctor may ask you to observe the rash while your child is treating at home. 

In addition, blood tests may also be conducted to diagnose roseola.

TREATMENT

There is still no proven treatment for roseola. Most children may completely recover from this condition within a week of using over-the-counter fever medication. However, when your child has very high fever and seizure, it is best to seek immediate medical help. 

 

 

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