Roseola is a very common infection in young children. It usually occurs between 6 months and 3 years old.
It is caused by a virus, usually human herpes virus type 6 or 7. Symptoms include a high fever, irritibility, runny nose and sometimes a cough. It looks like an upper respiratory infection then it goes away after 3-4 days. Within 12-24 hours of the fever resolving the child will develop a distinctive rash, mostly on the trunk. It looks like this:
By the time the rash appears the child is usually feeling better. The rash will go away over the next couple of days and the child will be fine.
Since this is a mild viral infection, there is no treatment other than rest, fluids and tylenol if needed for pain or fever. Most kids will be exposed and develop immunity to this infection by kindergarten.
It is contagious, although when it came to my house only one of my twins got it and their younger sister never got it.
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It is caused by a virus, usually human herpes virus type 6 or 7. Symptoms include a high fever, irritibility, runny nose and sometimes a cough. It looks like an upper respiratory infection then it goes away after 3-4 days. Within 12-24 hours of the fever resolving the child will develop a distinctive rash, mostly on the trunk. It looks like this:
Since this is a mild viral infection, there is no treatment other than rest, fluids and tylenol if needed for pain or fever. Most kids will be exposed and develop immunity to this infection by kindergarten.
It is contagious, although when it came to my house only one of my twins got it and their younger sister never got it.
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