Roseola infantum

Roseola infantum is another name for roseola, also formally called roseola infantilis. The following is a brief rundown on roseola: Cause: Roseola is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and, possibly, human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). Age range: Roseola is most common in children 6 months to 24 months of age. Spread: Roseola is spread from person to person, but it is not known how. Roseola is not very contagious. Initial symptoms: These include a high fever that lasts for 3 to 5 days, runny nose, irritability, eyelid swelling, and tiredness. The rash: When the fever disappears, a rash appears. The rash is mainly on the face and body. Course: The rash lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. Roseola usually goes away without any treatment. Complications of roseola are rare. Seeing the doctor: A child with fever and rash should be excluded from child care until seen by a physician. Return to child care: A child with rash and no fever may return to child care. Because the rash appears so suddenly (right after the fever dramatically departs), the disease is also sometimes called exanthem

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roseola in·fan·tum -in-'fant-əm n a mild virus disease of infants and children that is characterized by fever lasting three days followed by an eruption of rose-colored spots and is caused by a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 6 of the genus Roseolovirus) called also exanthema subitum, exanthem subitum

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see roseola

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exanthema subitum.