Roseola Infantum (Exanthem Subitum)

ROSEOLA INFANTUM (EXANTHEM SUBITUM)

Roseola infantum is a common illness observed in infants and children 6 months to 4 years of age. Its alternative name, exanthem subitum, means “sudden rash.” Roseola has more than one cause: the most common is human herpesvirus type 6 and, less frequently, human herpesvirus type 7 . Several other agents, including adenoviruses, coxsackieviruses,  and  echoviruses,  have  occasionally  been  noted  to  cause  similar manifestations. The illness is characterized by abrupt onset of high fever, sometimes accompanied by brief, generalized convulsions and leukopenia. After 3 to 5 days, the fever diminishes rapidly, followed in a few hours by a faint, transient, macular rash.