Roseola Infantum

Roseola Infantum

What are the causes and symptoms of roseola infantum

Babies and young children are most susceptible to this disease. It is probably caused by a virus and is not particularly contagious. The incubation period could be anywhere between five to fifteen days. The disease usually lasts for 3 to 6 days.

Roseola is a disease very similar to German measles. Your child will suddenly develop a high temperature (around 102 to 104 degrees fahrenheit). Once the fever subsides, she will break out in a rash of pale red spots on the body, neck, upper arms and sometimes on the face and legs. These spots will turn white on the application of pressure. In some cases, children also develop a runny nose, swollen glands and convulsions.

Contact your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Once he has confirmed that your child has roseola infantum, all you can do is treat the disease symptomatically. This will mainly involve keeping the fever down by making sure that your baby's fluid intake is high. There is no known method for the prevention of this disease. The likelihood of complications developing is extremely rare. However, the disease may recur.

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