What is roseola infantum?

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

Updated on January 26, 2025

00:00

00:00

Roseola infantum is a disease characterized by a fever, followed by a rash after the fever subsides. This disease is caused by an infection with human herpesvirus type 6 or type 7. Typically, it starts with a fever lasting three to five days, which can be moderately high. Generally, a rash appears after the fever subsides, primarily on the torso but it can also spread to the limbs. The rash usually fades within about two days and leaves no scars once it has disappeared.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 14sec

home-news-image

What to do with sudden rash in toddlers?

Roseola in infants is an acute febrile infectious disease caused by human herpesvirus type 6 or type 7. During the acute phase, this disease often presents with a sudden high fever, with temperatures reaching up to 39°C (102.2°F), and even exceeding 40°C (104°F). The fever usually lasts for 3-5 days. During this time, it is important to monitor the baby's temperature closely. If a high fever occurs, timely antipyretic treatment should be administered to prevent potential high fever convulsions. Attention should also be given to the baby's mental response; if the baby appears lethargic and the fever persists, symptomatic treatment should be provided promptly. It is also crucial to be vigilant for any potential complications. Most children with roseola will develop a rash after 3-5 days of fever, which lasts about two days. If there are no complications, they can generally recover. Therefore, there is no need to be overly anxious if a child contracts roseola, as it is a self-limiting disease that typically resolves within 5-7 days.

home-news-image

Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

1min 33sec

home-news-image

How should one handle roseola in toddlers?

Infantile roseola is a common febrile rash illness in infants, the main manifestation of which is high fever lasting for three to five days. When the fever subsides, a maculopapular rash appears on the skin. During the illness, it is important to ensure that the room is well-ventilated and to avoid taking the child to crowded places to prevent worsening of the condition due to cross-infection. Additionally, if the child has a high fever or feels unwell, appropriate fever-reducing treatments should be given. If physical cooling is not effective, suitable antipyretic medicine should be administered. Also, the child should not wear too many clothes or be covered with thick blankets during the fever to avoid impairing heat dissipation. If the child sweats a lot when the fever subsides, be sure to change their clothes promptly to prevent catching cold. During the illness, the child should drink plenty of water, preferably warm. As for diet, it is important to consume light and easily digestible food and properly supplement with vitamin C. If breastfeeding, the mother should be cautious not to consume spicy and greasy food since the baby's gastrointestinal tract is relatively weak during illness. If the mother's diet is too spicy or greasy, it could potentially exacerbate the baby's gastrointestinal burden, leading to diarrhea or vomiting.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

32sec

home-news-image

How to reduce fever in children with roseola

In general, infantile roseola initially presents as high fever, which is usually due to viral infection. If the fever subsides after about two days, it is similar to other common viral infections. If the fever is not very high, physical cooling methods can be used, such as sponging with warm water or taking a warm bath. Additionally, fever can be reduced with medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and it is preferable to avoid intravenous infusions for children with these medications.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 5sec

home-news-image

How to deal with baby roseola

For the nursing methods of infantile sudden rash, it is important to note that first, the child should drink more water to replenish sufficient fluids. The initial symptom of infantile sudden rash is fever, but too high a body temperature can cause excessive loss of water in the baby, and drinking more water not only replenishes fluids but also helps to reduce fever, Secondly, physical cooling should be used. During periods of high fever, physical cooling methods such as using cold packs or warm water baths should be employed to help reduce the child's body temperature while maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, During the child's visit to the clinic, it is necessary to keep the indoor environment ventilated and clean, bathe the baby in a timely manner, and keeping the skin fresh is also beneficial for eliminating toxins. Additionally, a healthy diet is crucial during the emergency period; although the baby might not show abnormalities, attention must be paid to the diet, especially for breastfed babies, where the mother herself must ensure a healthy and nutritious diet.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Si

Pediatrics

56sec

home-news-image

How to care for children with roseola

Roseola in infants generally does not require special treatment. It is important to control body temperature promptly to prevent it from getting too high or rising too quickly, which could lead to febrile convulsions. Skin rashes usually appear after the fever subsides, typically in the order of the forehead and face, torso, and extremities. These rashes are neither painful nor itchy, but they might cause irritability in children. There is no need for additional medicated creams for the rashes to prevent further skin issues caused by medications. Dietary recommendations include light, easily digestible food, and there are no specific foods that need to be avoided. Normal bathing and keeping warm to prevent catching a cold are also advised, and normal outdoor activities do not adversely affect children with roseola.