As a mildly contagious virus, roseola, also known as the Three Day Fever, is becoming increasingly prevalent among toddlers and children attending day care, pre-school and, in rare cases, primary education. Without significant heath complications, roseola, at its worst, is a nuisance to parents in that it results in loss days from work and loss of productivitiy. For parents, understanding the cause and origin of roseola, the symptoms which manifest and the recommended treatment options, will ensure both child and parent can return to productivity at school and work as soon as feasibly possible.
Considered a viral infection common among children between ages six months and two years, roseola is spread through bodily secretions, such saliva. Considered only mildly contagious and often transmitted or contracted during the incubation period of the illness, roseola can be carried by adults to children resulting in the outbreak.
Symptoms of roseola will present as a significant spike in high fever coupled with a respiratory infection for approximately one week followed by the development of pink, flattened rash or speckled like spots along the skin. While the rash may be unsightly, the roseola condition, once rash develops, is simply a cosmetic aspect of the conditon indicating the infection is now passing. The rash, contrary to popular belief, is not a medical condition which requires treatment. As a general rule, the symptoms will last from three to seven days however, once rash has developed, the child should remain out of daycare or school until the rash has disppeared. It is during the three days immediately prior to the rash development that most children will experience significant fever. Once this fever breaks, the rash will develop and will last, generally, up to 14 hours. The basis for removing a child from school when rash develops lies simply in the concern that rashes greater than 14 hours should be examined by a phsyician to rule out other health factors, diseases or childhood illnesses, such as measles.
Treating roseola involves a “watch and see” method as the condition is attributed to a virus and can not be treated with antbiotics. Providing home relief, including fever control, will ensure the child remains as comfortable as possible during the roseola outbreak. Once the rash develops, the child should begin to recover from fever with the rash and fever gone within 14 hours of development. For most children, the roseola rash is not bothersome and will not require further treatment. For children suffering beyond this period, further examination may indicate a more severe condition, other than roseola, has developed, such as measles. What fortunate aspect of roseola is the immunity a child acquires once subjected to the condition. In other words, similar to that of chicken pox, roseola is a one time occurrence in a young child.
As new parents, witnessing a young child suffer with a sudden spike in fever and then the development of a rash, can be a frightening experience. For many, the condition resembles measles but, in almost all cases, is simply a case of roseola. Keeping the child comfortable while the condition passes, is the best treatment a parent can provide. When, however, the symptoms persist longer than recommended for roseola, consultation with a pediatrician should be sought.
