Roseola is a viral infection. It is quite common and mainly affects young children between 6 months and 2 years. The average age is around 9 months. It does not cause long-term problems. It is mild infection and full recovery is usual. Less frequently, older children, teens, and adults may be infected.

Roseola is known by other names also like it was formally called Roseola Infantum or Roseola Infantilis. Because the rash appears so suddenly the disease is commonly called Exanthem Subitum.

Like the herpes and chickenpox viruses, the roseola virus persists in the body and may reactivate, in a similar way to shingles. However, reactivation seems to happen most often in people who have problems with their immune systems.

Causes of Roseola

Roseola is known to be caused by two human herpesviruses, HHV-6 (Human Herpesvirus Six) and HHV-7, also called Roseolovirus. No other causes are found until now.

The viruses that cause roseola are spread through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people when they laugh, talk, sneeze, or cough.

Sign & Symptoms of Roseola
The signs and symptoms of HHV-6 (or HHV-7) infection vary depending upon the age of the patient. Some children develop only a very mild case of roseola and never show any clear indication of illness, while others experience the full range of symptoms.

• Sudden high fever
• The child is usually flushed, and unwell with the fever.
• Fever lasts for 3-5 days and then quickly changes to normal.
• Bulging "soft spot" on the head
• Swollen glands in the front or back of the neck
• Runny nose, puffy eyelids, and mild diarrhea.
• Rash appears after 3-5 days the fever starts. Rash appears just as the fever returns to normal, and when the child is getting better.
• Small pink spots appear on many areas of the skin. It lasts a couple of days and then disappears.
• A sore throat may develop, and the child looses appetite.
• Some glands in the neck may swell. 

Diagnosis of Roseola
Roseola is diagnosed through a medical history and physical exam when the child is getting better. Initial high fever can become a cause of concern, because the cause of fever for the first 2-3 days is not known.

Health Professionals generally recognized roseola by serious illnesses of the child due to fever, and the typical appearance of rash. Appearance of typical rash after the fever drops to normal indicates that the roseola virus has caused the fever and not other serious illness.

Preventions of Roseola
There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Because the infection usually affects young children but rarely adults, it is thought that a bout of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.

Treatment for Roseola
Treatment of roseola includes bed rest, fluids and medications to reduce fever. No treatment can kill the virus. The aim of treatment is to make the child comfortable, till fever and illness goes. 

• Regular paracetamol liquid can reduce fever, aches and pains. Ibuprofen is other alternative. Taking off clothes of the child if the room is warm can keep the child cool. Use lots of water to lower the fever and to prevent dehydration.
• If your baby's fever makes her uncomfortable, try a cool sponge bath. Other than that, paracetamol suspensions such as Calpol and Disprol - check the dose carefully - and clear liquids are really all you can do. Like most viruses, roseola just needs to run its course.
• There is no specific vaccine against or treatment for exanthem subitum, and most children with the disease are not seriously ill. A child with fever should be given plenty of fluids to drink.
• A child with a fever should be kept comfortable and not be overdressed. Overdressing can cause the temperature to go higher. Bathing with warm water may help bring down a fever. If a child develops shivering during the bath, the temperature of the bath water should be raised.

When to Call the Doctor
Call the doctor if 

• Your child is lethargic
• Your child's rash worsens.
• Your child is not drinking 
• Your child is not comfortable
• New rash continues longer than 1 week.
• You are not able to keep the fever down.