Roseola infantum or sudden exanthema in children: causes, clinical picture, treatment, prevention

Infantile roseola: course and treatment

Infantile roseola is a disease of a viral nature and usually affects young children - up to 3 years old.

The main signs are hyperthermia (increased body temperature) and papular rashes all over the body. The disease is diagnosed in 30% of children aged six months to three years.

Causes

Infantile roseola (also called sudden exanthema) is caused by human herpes viruses type 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7) - the first is more dangerous and is the main causative agent of the disease. Once in the body, viral particles interact with immune complexes, provoking the formation of exanthema. Such viruses also interact separately with the following biological structures:

• T-lymphocytes;
• monocytes;
• macrophages (cells that devour foreign elements that have entered the body);
• astrocytes;
• dendritic cells;
• epithelial cells.

Signs of infantile roseola

The incubation period (the time the pathogen stays in the body without any clinical manifestations) lasts from 5 to 15 days.

Symptoms:

• fever - chills and hyperthermia (increased body temperature - up to 39.0-40.5 degrees Celsius). The period lasts up to three days;
• weakness and lethargy;
• apathy (indifference to everything that happens around) or irritability of the child;
• deterioration of appetite, its complete disappearance;
• nausea.

Less often, children show such signs of infantile roseola as diarrhea, nasal congestion, swelling of the eyelids and tissues around the eyes, rash on the soft palate. Runny nose and cough are absent. With exanthema in children against the background of the described clinical picture, convulsions may develop.

On the fourth day, the temperature decreases, which creates a false impression of recovery. But almost immediately, a non-contagious rash appears on the child's body in the form of small dots and spots. It disappears after 2-4 days. And then a full recovery occurs.

Diagnosis

Is it easy to diagnose roseola in children? The signs are typical, but the diagnosis is rarely made in a timely manner. While the examination is being carried out, the symptoms of the infection may disappear on their own, without medical intervention. But even if the condition improves, the child should be carefully examined.

A careful study of the elements of the rash is necessary. These are small pink spots and papules with a diameter of up to 1-5 mm. The elements of the rash are slightly raised above the surface of the skin.

Laboratory diagnostics of exanthema includes:

• a complete blood count - a decrease in the number of leukocytes and eosinophils is noted.

Complications

Complications after roseola in children are extremely rare.

Treatment of infantile roseola

There is no specific treatment. Purpose:

• at high temperature - drinking plenty of fluids;
• antipyretics.

During the treatment of exanthema in children, regular wet cleaning of the room is important.

Prevention

There is no vaccine that could help avoid the risk of developing infantile roseola.

Mothers are most often interested in information about the causes of infantile roseola, symptoms and treatment of the pathology. You can find more information on our website.