There are many diseases that are common in children. One of them is roseola infantum.
Even though it is a mild and harmless disease,ParentsYou need to recognize the symptoms and how to treat roseola well.
Roseola infantum is an infectious disease that commonly occurs in infants and toddlers.
The symptoms that occur are high fever accompanied by a rash on the skin after the fever goes down.
Read on to get complete information about this disease.
Causes of Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum is caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever and a rash that develops after the body temperature returns to normal.
Roseola outbreaks can be seasonal and can spread in certain environments.
Roseola infantum occurs mostly in children aged six months to three years. The peak age of occurrence is 9-21 months.
How Roseola Infantum is Transmitted
Quoting from the official websiteThe Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne,Roseola is an infectious disease.
The virus from this disease spreads through fluids or droplets released by the sufferer through coughing or sneezing into the air.
The incubation period for roseola is about 9-10 days after exposure. Children with roseola can only spread the infection before fever and/or rash appear.
Once the symptoms of roseola have appeared, the disease is no longer contagious.
There is currently no known way to prevent the spread of roseola and there is no vaccine.
Maintaining thorough hygiene and washing your hands regularly are the best ways to help reduce the spread of the virus.
Symptoms of Roseola Infantum
Even though in some cases it is said that the initial symptoms are not detected, there are still symptoms that can be watched out for. Among others:
1. Fever
Symptoms of roseola infantum begin about 5 to 15 days after infection. Fever ranges from 39.5 to 40.5 °C and can begin suddenly.
Fever can last for three to five days.
2. Seizures
About 5 to 15% of children experience seizures , as a result of high fever . Especially fevers that rise rapidly.
3. Runny Nose and Mild Diarrhea
Despite the high fever, the child is usually alert and active. These symptoms are often mistaken for the common cold in children and are treated too late.
In addition, some children also experience stomach ache.
4. Enlarged Lymph Nodes
Enlargement occurs in the lymph nodes behind the head, sides of the neck, and behind the ears. Fever usually disappears by the fourth day.
5. Rash
Children who have roseola infantum develop a rash within hours or a day after the fever subsides. The rash is red and flat or non-bumpy.
Occurs mostly on the chest and abdomen, and is not too large on the face, arms, and legs.
This rash is not itchy and can last from a few hours to two days.
Children who suffer from this disease will be very fussy and exhausted. Therefore, it takes extra patience from parents to accompany them.
In addition, the parents must also be healthy while the child is still sick.
Be aware of the possibility of transmitting the virus to other children. If necessary, implement an isolation period for the child who has the virus so that his/her other siblings do not get infected.
When Should You See a Doctor?
In most cases, roseola does not require professional medical treatment and can simply be treated with rest at home.
However, it is possible that the roseola symptoms experienced by children can be very uncomfortable and disturbing, requiring specific treatment from a doctor.
ParentsIt is best to contact a doctor if your child:
- Appears lethargic, very sleepy, and difficult to wake up
- The frequency of urination seems less than usual.
- Fever does not improve after 48 hours
- Having a seizure that lasts less than five minutes
- Having a skin rash of small bright red spots or purple spots, and/or unexplained bruising that does not turn skin color (blanches) when pressed. This may be a sign of meningococcal infection.
You should contact emergency services immediately if:
- The child had a seizure that lasted more than five minutes.
- Child does not wake up after seizure
Diagnosis
There is no test for roseola, such as a blood test, x-ray, or anything else.
Roseola cannot be diagnosed until the fever goes away and the rash appears.
In some cases, the doctor will examine the child and perform several tests to rule out other causes of fever.
Roseola may be diagnosed based on its symptoms, but unfortunately the initial symptoms are similar to many other common childhood illnesses, such as measles .
However, what differentiates roseola and measles is the position of the rash.
Roseola rash often begins on the chest or back, while measles rash begins on the head or face.
Possible Complications
Roseola usually does not cause complications. However, in about 15 percent of cases of roseola, high fever can lead to febrile seizures.
Febrile seizures are convulsions and periods of unresponsiveness that usually last a few minutes. They may seem severe, but they are rarely dangerous.
In very rare cases, roseola can cause other health complications such as encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain structures.
The risk of developing encephalitis is higher in children and adults with weakened immune systems.
According to research, primary HHV-6 infection (the virus that causes roseola) has been associated with a large number of potential complications including myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, thrombocytopenia, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and hepatitis.
How to Treat Roseola Infantum
There is no specific treatment for roseola. Like most viral illnesses, symptoms must be lived out until the virus clears up on its own.
The most important thing parents can do is to make their children rest and get plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
If your child is too uncomfortable or has a fever that is too high, your doctor may suggest giving him or her children’s acetaminophen (or ibuprofen, for children 6 months and older) to reduce the fever.
Parents can also try to reduce their child’s fever by wiping them with warm (not cold) water or bathing them in lukewarm water.
Never give aspirin to a child. It can trigger Reye’s Syndrome , a rare but potentially fatal disorder.
What to do?
Like most viruses, roseola will clear up on its own. Once the fever subsides, your child will soon feel better.
Roseola rash is harmless and will go away within 1 to 3 days. Here are some things you can do.
Stay Home
The roseola virus is very contagious, especially before the rash appears.
The virus can spread through saliva or other respiratory droplets when an infected child coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Therefore, in order not to infect other people, it is best for children to stay at home once they start showing symptoms.
Give Your Child Plenty of Fluids
Let your child rest if they are feeling unwell and make sure they drink plenty of fluids. Fluids can help prevent the risk of dehydration from high heat.
Make Sure Your Child is Comfortable
Use only thin, light clothing and blankets.
To relieve discomfort caused by fever, bathe your child with a sponge or washcloth of warm water and then compress your child periodically until the fever goes down.
If the fever is making them uncomfortable, give them children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen . Don’t forget to check the dosage on the bottle.
Watch for Emergency Signs
You should contact a doctor immediately if your child experiences:
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, or other signs of pneumonia.
- Fever of 38.9° C or higher for more than 24 hours without other symptoms.
- A rash that is itchy or painful.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Signs of dehydration, such as dark urine and appearing weak and lethargic.
Sometimes, a very high fever can cause a seizure. If this happens to a child, they may pass out for a short time.
Their arms and legs may jerk for a few seconds or minutes. They may also lose control of their urination or defecation.
Take your child to the emergency room immediately if they have a seizure. Fortunately, most seizures in young children are short-lived and not dangerous.
What Not to Do?
Source: Freepik
- Do not give aspirin to children and do not combine ibuprofen with paracetamol, unless prescribed by a doctor.
- For children under 2 months, do not give paracetamol. If your child weighs less than 5 kg and is under 3 months old, do not give them ibuprofen.
- Children with asthma should also not be given ibuprofen.
Prevention of Roseola Infantum
There is no vaccine to prevent roseola. Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent others from getting the virus.
To reduce the risk of roseola infection, do the following:
- Avoid close contact with someone who is infected.
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash your hands frequently and usehand sanitizerif you can’t find water and soap.
If a child has had roseola, his or her body will form antibodies to prevent future roseola virus infections.
However, it is possible for children to get roseola more than once in rare cases.
Typically, those with a weak or compromised immune system will experience roseola again.
Most children will recover from roseola without any long-term health complications.
Popular Questions Regarding Roseola Infantum
Roseola infantum is a disease that occurs quite often in children.
Here are some questions related to roseola infantum that have been summarized bytheAsianparent.
How long does it take for the roseola virus to heal?
Roseola will generally heal in about a week and the rash will last for one to three days.
Roseola is a self-limiting disease that will heal on its own and does not require any specific treatment.
To help your child feel more comfortable, make sure he or she gets enough fluids and gets plenty of rest.
Is roseola dangerous for babies?
Roseola is not dangerous and is generally not a serious illness. Once the fever goes down, the child will gradually recover so there is no need to worry.
Can a child have roseola to bathe?
Roseola sufferers may take a bath to keep their bodies comfortable and clean. It is recommended to take a bath using warm water or using a washcloth.
Avoid using cold water when bathing a child with roseola.
What is the difference between measles and roseola?
Measles is a disease caused by the Morbillivirus virus, while roseola is caused by Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) or Human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7).
To differentiate between measles and roseola, parents can observe the rash.
The measles rash is generally red or reddish brown, while the roseola rash is pink.
In addition, the spread of the rash is also different.
In measles sufferers, the rash usually first appears on the face and then spreads throughout the body, while roseola rash generally appears on the stomach first.
Is roseola rash itchy?
Yes, roseola rash can be itchy and uncomfortable for babies and children.
Does roseola need antibiotics?
Children with roseola do not need to be given antibiotics or antiviral drugs.
Treatment for roseola usually only includes medications to relieve symptoms such as pain relievers, fever reducers, and anti-itch medications.
Can roseola heal itself?
Roseola is a disease that can heal on its own and rarely requires specific medical treatment.
What is the ointment for roseola infantum?
In general, roseola does not require ointment for treatment.
HoweverParentsyou can try using an ointment that containszinc oxideorpetroleum jellyto help prevent skin irritation.
ParentsYou can also use moisturizing cream on your child’s or baby’s skin after every bath.
It is best to consult a doctor first before using any type of ointment on a child suffering from roseola.
What powder is for roseola infantum?
To relieve the itching symptoms that may arise due to the rash when suffering from roseola,Parentscan use salicylic powder or lotion containing calamine.
Consult a doctor first before giving powder to a child suffering from roseola.
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Roseola is a virus that is very common in children, but it rarely causes serious problems. Symptoms usually improve with simple home care.
However, a child may unknowingly have infected others by the time symptoms appear.
As soon as you know your child is showing symptoms,Parentsmust take proper hygiene measures and keep the child away from other children to stop the spread of the virus.
These are some important things that you must doParentslearn about roseola infantum.
No need to panic if your little one experiences this disease, just treat him at home with compresses or fever-reducing medication.
Hopefully this information is useful, yes!
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
