What age do children typically get roseola?

Written by Gong Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Exanthem subitum in infants is a viral infectious disease caused by human herpesvirus type 6 and type 7. Newborns initially acquire protective antibodies from their mothers. Generally, after five to six months, as antibody levels decrease, the likelihood of contracting a virus such as human herpesvirus increases. The peak age for contracting exanthem subitum is between six months and two years, although this can vary. Children aged three to four, who have not contracted exanthem subitum or the human herpesvirus before the age of two, can still contract the disease.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How to deal with baby roseola

For the nursing methods of infantile sudden rash, it is important to note that first, the child should drink more water to replenish sufficient fluids. The initial symptom of infantile sudden rash is fever, but too high a body temperature can cause excessive loss of water in the baby, and drinking more water not only replenishes fluids but also helps to reduce fever, Secondly, physical cooling should be used. During periods of high fever, physical cooling methods such as using cold packs or warm water baths should be employed to help reduce the child's body temperature while maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, During the child's visit to the clinic, it is necessary to keep the indoor environment ventilated and clean, bathe the baby in a timely manner, and keeping the skin fresh is also beneficial for eliminating toxins. Additionally, a healthy diet is crucial during the emergency period; although the baby might not show abnormalities, attention must be paid to the diet, especially for breastfed babies, where the mother herself must ensure a healthy and nutritious diet.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Do infants with roseola feel itchy?

Toddler rash, also known as roseola infantum, is a common acute febrile rash skin disease in infants and young children. It is characterized by a sudden drop in body temperature after high fever for 3-5 days in infants and young children under three years of age, accompanied by the appearance of rose-red maculopapular rashes. The distinctive feature of these rashes appears concurrently with the subsidence of the fever or after the fever has subsided, mainly concentrated on the trunk, head, and neck, with fewer occurrences on the limbs. There are usually no rashes below the elbows and knees or on the palms and soles. The rash fills up within 24 hours, and starts to fade 1-2 days later without leaving any pigmentation or scaling. The rash in toddler exanthem does not cause significant itching, and does not leave pigmentation or scaling after it subsides. Therefore, during the rash period of toddler exanthem, if the child is crying and restless, it may be related to the high fever. Parents should generally avoid scratching the rash for the baby to prevent skin damage and secondary bacterial infections.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What should not be eaten with baby sudden rash?

Roseola infantum is caused by human herpesvirus types 6 and 7, a common acute rash infectious disease in pediatrics, also known as baby roseola. Its main characteristic is high fever for 3-4 days, followed by a rash as the fever subsides. Since roseola infantum is clearly a viral infection, its treatment mainly involves symptomatic management. For children in pediatric emergency care, while actively managing symptoms, it is essential to ensure adequate hydration and nutrition, so normal diet is still necessary. However, the diet should be light and easy to digest. Foods that are difficult to digest, such as large fish, large pieces of meat, or raw and cold irritants like some beverages or colder foods, should be avoided.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What to do with baby's sudden rash?

If a child develops sudden exanthema, parents need not be overly worried, as this condition is a rash-causing disease due to herpes virus infection and it can heal on its own. Often, the child may experience high fever for three to five days, during which physical cooling techniques and oral antipyretics can be used for symptomatic treatment. It is also appropriate to ensure the child drinks plenty of water and eats nutritious food. Once the fever symptoms alleviate, scattered rose-like rashes may appear on the child's face and trunk, which can fade on their own. During this period, symptoms of indigestion or itchy skin may occur, and taking calamine for itch relief and oral probiotics can help alleviate symptoms of digestive upset. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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How to reduce fever in children with roseola

In general, infantile roseola initially presents as high fever, which is usually due to viral infection. If the fever subsides after about two days, it is similar to other common viral infections. If the fever is not very high, physical cooling methods can be used, such as sponging with warm water or taking a warm bath. Additionally, fever can be reduced with medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and it is preferable to avoid intravenous infusions for children with these medications.