Roseola Infantum Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Roseola infantum, also known as Roseola and Exanthema Subitum, is a disease caused by a viral infection characterized by high fever and redness of the skin.
This disease generally occurs in infants and children. Age 6 months to 1.5 years is the age most susceptible to this disease.
Roseola Infantum Symptom
Roseola infantum is often preceded by a cold cough, followed by complaints of high fever (usually above 39°C). This fever occurs for 3-4 days and generally, the body temperature does not drop even though the child has taken fever-reducing medication. During a fever, children are often fussy and reluctant to eat.
The distinctive sign of roseola infantum is that the fever will drop suddenly after a few days. Then a reddish rash will appear all over the body as soon as the fever goes down.
Roseola Infantum Reason
Roseola infantum is caused by the herpes virus type 6 ( human herpes virus 6 ). This virus is transmitted through the air. A child can experience roseola infantum if exposed to sneezing or coughing from another child who is experiencing the disease.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of roseola infantum is determined by conducting a series of medical interviews to find out the symptoms experienced and by carrying out a physical examination of the child. However, if the symptoms are not too typical, the doctor will recommend a blood test to confirm this disease.
Roseola Infantum Treatment
Basically, roseola infantum will heal by itself in 3-7 days. Treatment is carried out aims to provide comfort to the child while the illness is still ongoing.
Generally, the treatment of roseola infantum can be done by parents themselves at home by:
- Give fever-reducing drugs periodically (can be in the form of paracetamol or ibuprofen)
- Compress the child’s body with warm water to help reduce fever
- Encourage children to drink more water. For babies who are still breastfeeding, give breast milk more often than usual.
If the child looks weak, does not want to drink or breastfeed, immediately visit the nearest doctor.
Prevention
There’s nothing that can be done to prevent roseola infantum. Children who have experienced roseola infantum already have immunity to the virus that causes it so they will not catch this disease again.