A common and contagious viral infection that usually impacts babies and children before the age of 2 is called roseola. It often causes a sudden, high fever, which may lead to febrile seizures sometimes. However, roseola can cause serious complications in children, especially if they have a weakened immune system. Commonly, home remedies can help your child feel better.
In most cases, roseola is harmless and does not cause any complications, but it is very important to know that febrile seizures can cause life-threatening complications. In general, a mild and short-lived seizure that often has no lasting effects, but can be scary, is called a febrile seizure. Commonly, children with weakened immune systems develop serious complications from roseola.
Children can catch this viral infection any time of year, but it mostly occurs in the spring and fall. Furthermore, this infection is highly contagious and easily spreads to other people through saliva and respiratory droplets. Usually, a child is no longer contagious when their fever has gone for 24 hours. In addition, this infection has other names. For example:
- Roseola infantum
- Sixth disease
- Baby measles
- Three-day fever
- Exanthema subitum (it means a sudden rash)
This condition occurs quite commonly, and it causes up to 45% of all fevers in infants. Babies and children with roseola who require care for a fever at an emergency room (ER) are about 12%.
Symptoms
While the primary symptom of roseola is high fever, which often ranges from 103 to 105 degrees F or 39.5 to 40.5 degrees C, it may also cause other symptoms. Check below some examples:
- Rash (that often develops after the fever disappears)
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Appetite changes
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Pink eye
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or back of the head
- Small pink or red spots along the throat
If your child experiences any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Rash
In most cases, the rash appears on the baby’s body within 24 hours of their fever breaking. Therefore, you may see pinkish-red spots on the body parts with lighter skin tones. These spots will turn white when you press on them.
Commonly, the rash first affects the child’s chest, back, and tummy. Thereafter, it spreads to the face, neck, arms, and legs. While it often looks alarming when the rash spreads over the child’s body, you should not worry too much because it does not cause itching or discomfort. Usually, it disappears within 4 days.
What is the Difference between Roseola and Measles Rash?
While both conditions cause rash, there are some differences between them. For example:
- Spots color – While roseola causes pink-red color of the rash, measles may have small and raised white spots on the top of the red spots.
- Connection of the spots – In people who develop rash due to roseola, the spots are not connected, but spots caused by measles are more likely to join together.
- The location where a rash begins – While in children with roseola, the rash starts on the child’s chest, back, or tummy, in those with measles, it begins on the face and then moves throughout the body.
- Skin peeling – Usually, a rash caused by roseola does not cause the child’s skin to flake or peel away, but a measles rash does.
It is very important to seek medical care immediately if you think your child has measles. It is a more serious condition compared to roseola, and it may cause serious or even life-threatening complications if it is left untreated. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can protect your child against measles. For example:
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine
Causes
This is a viral infection that occurs when children are exposed to a virus that makes them sick. In most cases, they develop this viral infection when they are exposed to herpesvirus 6 (sometimes herpesvirus 7).
Furthermore, this infection is contagious, which means it can spread to other people even if you do not have symptoms. Usually, it spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets (such as from a sneeze or cough). In most cases, the symptoms appear within 15 days after exposure to the virus.
Usually, your child is no longer contagious when the fever goes away for at least 24 hours. In addition, most people develop immunity to roseola once they have it, but in rare cases, it may occur twice. It usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
What Are The Potential Complications of Roseola?
While most children with roseola do not experience any complications, some of them may develop a febrile seizure. It often affects about 10% to 15% of children of 6 to 18 months of age. In most cases, a febrile seizure lasts less than 15 minutes and does not cause any harm to your child. Check below some symptoms of febrile seizures:
- Shaking and stiffness
- Passing out
- The eyes roll back in their head
- Inability to control basic body functions and suddenly vomit, drool, pee, or poop
If any of the previous symptoms occur, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER) for medical care. It is very important to see a doctor and avoid home treatments for febrile seizures, especially if it never happened before.
You should also make sure you do not exceed the recommended dose and frequency of Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen that are used to prevent a febrile seizure. Otherwise, it may lead to liver damage or failure, kidney damage or failure, and stomach problems.
In rare cases, children with roseola may develop more serious complications, especially those with weakened immune systems caused by cancer, autoimmune disorders, or other diseases. Check below some examples:
- Pneumonia (infection and inflammation in the lungs)
- Aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the layer that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)
- Encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- Other diseases that negatively affect the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain and spinal cord
This article does not contain a complete list of roseola complications. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
How to Prevent Roseola?
However, this viral infection is unavoidable for most children, and there are no vaccines for it. In most cases, children develop it before starting school. The only way you can reduce the risk of developing a severe form of this infection is through hand-washing habits. If you need additional suggestions, consult with your pediatrician.
Diagnosis
Usually, doctors diagnose this infection based on symptoms and a physical examination. It is done to check for irregularities linked to the disease. Sometimes, doctors may need to perform a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. They may also rule out other causes of the child’s symptoms. Examples include:
- Ear infection
- Measles
- Rubella
- Scarlet fever
- Allergic reactions to medicines
Treatment
Usually, this viral infection is treated with home remedies (such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to reduce fever). In general, there are no specific treatments for roseola. Check below for some additional information about the roseola treatment:
- You cannot give your child antibiotics because they are used to treat bacterial infections.
- The rash caused by roseola also does not need treatment because it does not cause pain or itching.
- Never give Aspirin to your child under age 17 because it significantly increases the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
However, you should inform your doctor if your child takes immunosuppressants or other special treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I seek emergency care for my child?
If any of the following symptoms occur, immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). For example:
- Febrile seizures last more than 5 minutes
- Shortness of breath
- Weak or high-pitched cry
- Frequent vomiting
- Lack of energy
- Stiffness or pain in the neck
Is it possible to have roseola and not know it?
In some cases, your child may have this viral infection, but without knowing about it, because children usually develop fevers due to multiple reasons. However, one symptom that may indicate roseola is a rash that appears when the fever has gone.
What can be mistaken for roseola?
There are some infections that can be mistaken for roseola. Check below some examples:
- Measles
- Rubella
- Fifth disease
- Scarlet fever
- Allergic reactions
Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
