What is Roseola Infantum?
Roseola Infantum is a frequent infection in young kids usually between six to twelve months of age. It is primarily caused by the human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and less often by human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). This condition is also known as sixth disease, or sudden rash. Most cases, about 90%, are found in kids under two years old. The disease is usually caused by a specific type, or variant, of HHV-6 known as the B variant.
Kids who get infected may suddenly show symptoms like high fever (up to 104 F) that continue for three to five days. When the fever breaks, a rash of pink spots that doesn’t itch may appear, starting from the child’s mid-section. It can cause up to 45% of high-temperature illnesses in babies. Because the fever can get so high and the virus can move to the brain, about 15% of kids may also have a sudden high temperature-related seizure during the fever stage of this illness.
Roseola infantum typically gets better on its own, and is normally diagnosed through its symptoms. We provide treatments to ease the symptoms. Patients with a healthy immune system will most likely have the virus become latent, or inactive. However, this virus can cause serious health problems and even death in patients who have a weakened immune system.
rose rash of infants), sixth disease (as the sixth rash-causing childhood
disease) and (confusingly) baby measles, or three day fever, is a benign disease
of children, generally under two years old, whose manifestations are usually
limited to a transient rash (“exanthem”) that occurs following a fever of about
three day’s duration.
What Causes Roseola Infantum?
The Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a virus that belongs to the Herpesviridae family, and it’s responsible for causing an illness called roseola infantum. It’s similar to other types of virus like the Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Human Herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). This group of viruses is known to be less invasive compared to other members of the Herpesviridae family.
The construction of HHV-6 includes a straight, two-threaded DNA structure, and it has terminal repeats on its ends that consist of a repeated sequence, GGGTTA. Scientists think these repeated sequences might have a role in preserving the viral structure in dormant infected cells.
Risk Factors and Frequency for Roseola Infantum
Human herpesvirus 6, often causing fever in babies, is responsible for 10% to 45% of febrile illnesses in infants in the United States. Research from 2005 revealed that 40% of these infections happen by the age of 12 months, and 77% occur by the age of 24 months. The study also found that while both boys and girls can get the virus, it’s more common in girls and in children with older siblings. The virus is most prevalent in the spring and fall. The main way it spreads is through saliva, usually through droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes.
- Human herpesvirus 6 is the cause for 10% to 45% of fevers in infants in the United States.
- A study in 2005 discovered that 40% of these infections happen by the time a child is 12 months old, and 77% occur by the time they are 24 months old.
- The virus affects both boys and girls, but it’s more common in girls and children with older siblings.
- Most cases of the virus occur in the spring and fall seasons.
- The virus primarily spreads through saliva, often from respiratory droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes.
Signs and Symptoms of Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum, also known as baby measles or three-day fever, is a common illness in infants and is diagnosed based on its symptoms. It starts with a high fever that may exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit; this fever usually lasts between three to five days. Despite the fever, children may seem active and well. However, they can also show signs of discomfort, redness of the whites of the eyes, swelling around the eyes, inflammation of the eardrum, swollen lymph nodes, irritability, lack of appetite, a bulging soft spot on the head, diarrhea, cough, and symptoms of a common cold. Another sign of roseola is the appearance of red spots on the soft palate and uvula, which are found in two-thirds of patients.
When the fever subsides quickly, typically between days three to five, a fine, rose-pink or red skin rash will develop. This rash can sometimes be surrounded by a pale halo. It first appears on the trunk and can spread to the neck, limbs, and face. The rash, which is non-itchy and fades when pressure is applied, can last for one to two days.
- High fever exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit
- Fever lasts for three to five days
- Children may seem active but may also experience discomfort
- Other symptoms may include red eyes, eye swelling, inflamed eardrum, swollen lymph nodes, irritability, lack of appetite, bulging soft spot, diarrhea, cough, and common cold symptoms
- Red spots on the soft palate and uvula in two-thirds of patients
- Rash develops when the fever subsides quickly between days three to five
- The rash starts on the trunk and may spread to the neck, limbs, and face
- The non-itchy rash fades when pressure is applied and can last for one to two days
Testing for Roseola Infantum
In cases of roseola infantum, a common illness in infants, lab tests are generally not needed. But sometimes, doctors may conduct these tests when the child has a fever to make sure it’s not caused by another condition. Kids with roseola, which is often caused by the Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), may have a higher number of white blood cells. These are the cells that help fight off infections. Normally, the white blood cell count will go back to normal about one to two weeks after the child gets better. Recent research has also found that some children may have sterile pyuria – a condition where there are white blood cells in the urine, but no bacteria (sign of a urinary tract infection) when they’re sick with HHV-6.
Treatment Options for Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum, a common condition in children, doesn’t have a specific cure or treatment. Most of the time, it’s a mild condition that goes away on its own. The best course of action is to make sure your child has plenty of rest, keeps hydrated, and uses fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen if needed to help control any fever.
The rash that comes with roseola usually doesn’t itch, so no treatment is needed for that. Currently, there’s no vaccine or antiviral medication specifically for roseola. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of roseola is through thorough and frequent hand washing.
What else can Roseola Infantum be?
When presenting with certain symptoms, doctors may consider the possibility of various conditions, including:
- Measles
- Rubella
- Scarlet fever
- Viral exanthem
- Exanthematous drug eruption
What to expect with Roseola Infantum
The outlook for roseola infantum, a common childhood illness, is very good. This illness typically resolves on its own without causing any long-term problems.
Possible Complications When Diagnosed with Roseola Infantum
The primary infection of HHV-6, a type of virus, can lead to a wide array of possible complications. These could include myocarditis, which is a heart muscle inflammation, rhabdomyolysis, where muscles rapidly break down, thrombocytopenia, which is a low platelet count, Guillain-Barre syndrome that affects the nerves, and hepatitis, an inflammatory condition of the liver. Certain case reports and small studies validate these complications by identifying the HHV-6 DNA in the affected organ, in the body fluids, or within the PBMCs, which stands for peripheral blood mononuclear cells – a type of immune cell.
Possible complications from HHV-6:
- Myocarditis
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Thrombocytopenia
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Hepatitis
Preventing Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum, also known as baby measles, is a condition caused by a virus and usually resolves on its own. However, if your child has a high fever, it’s very important to get them checked by a fully-qualified health professional to ensure their wellbeing.
