Roseola

Roseola – Causes and Information

Roseola is a mild viral illness of sudden onset and short duration that most commonly affects young children. Roseola is most common in children 6 to 24 months of age. The average age is around 9 months. Less frequently, older children, teens, and adults may be infected.

Roseola was once called the sixth disease because it was the sixth disease young children typically developed and it lasted about six days. There is usually a rash associated with Roseola, but you will not see it at the onset. When the fever disappears, then the rash appears. The rash is mainly located on the neck and body, especially, the abdomen, trunk, and back, but it can also be on the arms and legs.

The rash appears as separate little raised dots (papules) or as a flat or macular rash. The skin is mildly red in color and temporarily blanches with pressure. The rash is not itchy or painful. It is not contagious. The rash lasts two to four days and does not return.

This illness is spread from person to person, most likely by transfer of oral secretions. Roseola is not very contagious. The incubation period between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is nine to ten days. Roseola is primarily caused by a virus called human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and less commonly by human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7).  The viruses belong to the family of herpes viruses, but they do not cause the cold sores or genital infections that herpes simplex viruses can cause.

Roseola often begins with a sudden high fever usually 103 F to 105 F. The fever may last two to three days, although it can last as long as 8 days. The rapid increase in temperature may be the first sign of Roseola and often occurs before you realize that your child has a fever. The fever ends as suddenly as it occurs.

After the fever ends, a rosy pink rash may appear mostly on the trunk or torso, neck, and arms. The rash is not itchy and may last one to two days. In rare cases, a sore throat, stomach ache, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.

A child with Roseola may appear fussy or irritable and may have a decreased appetite, but most children behave almost normally. If you wish to treat the fever, acetaminophen products like Tylenol and others can be used to lower a fever. Aspirin should never be used for fever in children or adolescents.