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Roseola

Jeffrey D. Quinlan, FAAFP, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

Omnipresent infection occurring in infancy and childhood. Majority of cases are caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6); may be associated with other diseases including encephalitis 

DESCRIPTION

  • Ac...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • 3 to 5 days abrupt fever 102.2–104.0° F (39–40° C) not associated with a rash (1)

  • The child may be fussy during this prodrome (1).

  • Sudden drop of fever associated with appearance of r...

TREATMENT

No treatment necessary, resolves without sequelae (1)[C

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Symptomatic relief including antipyretics (1)[C]

  • Hydration (1)[C]

MEDICATION

First Line

  • No specific first-line treatme...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • During febrile prodrome, monitor for dehydration.

  • None after typical rash appears and fever resolves

  • Mean duration of illness is 6 days.

  • If febrile...

REFERENCES

1
Stone  RC, Micali  GA, Schwartz  RA. Roseola infantum and its causal human herpesviruses. Int J Dermatol.  2014;53(4):397–403. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ablashi  DV, Devin  CL, Yoshikawa  T, et al. Review part 3: human herpesvirus-6 in multiple non-neurological diseases. J Med Virol.  2010;82(11):1903...

CODES

ICD10

  • B08.20 Exanthema subitum [sixth disease], unspecified

  • B08.21 Exanthema subitum [sixth disease] due to human herpesvirus 6

  • B08.22 Exanthema subitum [sixth disease] due to human herpesvirus 7

  • B0...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Roseola infection should be suspected if an infant or young child presents with a high temperature without other clinical findings.

  • As the fever abates, a macular rash will be seen on t...

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