Roseola is a viral infection that begins with a sudden high fever and is followed by the appearance of a rose-coloured rash. It used to be referred to as "sixth disease" because it is the sixth rash-causing disease that children usually develop.
Roseola is generally a childhood infection, with most cases occurring between 6 months and 3 years of age. This infection rarely occurs later in life; however, adults can develop this viral infection. Interestingly, most cases of roseola appear during the spring and fall, but the reasons for this remain unknown.
Roseola is a mild and short-lived infection. Like the common cold, the body is capable of curing the infection on its own. Keeping your child well rested and hydrated will help their bodies clear the infection.
Roseola is a common childhood infection that is caused by the same family of viruses that is responsible for chickenpox and shingles. This virus can be spread by tiny droplets of fluid that go into the air when someone who is infected talks, coughs, laughs, or sneezes. This usually happens before people who are infected develop symptoms. The infection is spread when people inhale the droplets or touch them and then touch their mouth or nose. Older children and adults should cover their mouths or noses when coughing or sneezing to prevent spreading the virus to others.
There is currently no vaccine available to prevent infection with the virus that causes roseola. Fortunately, roseola is a relatively mild infection that will go away without treatment. It is best treated by managing symptoms and keeping the infected person well rested and hydrated. Acetaminophen* or ibuprofen are usually recommended to treat a high fever and are safe for children.
Don’t give children who have symptoms of the flu, chickenpox, or other viral infections acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or ASA-containing products since this can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition that can cause a fatal inflammation of the brain and liver. If symptoms subside, a follow-up with your doctor is only necessary if complications develop. Because roseola is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective. Antiviral medications such as foscarnet or ganciclovir may be prescribed in severe cases.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Roseola
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