Infant rashes with fever

Roseola (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

What Is Roseola?

Roseola (roe-zee-OH-lah) is a viral illness that most commonly affects young kids between 6 months and 2 years old. It's also known as sixth disease, exanthem subitum, and roseola infantum.

It is usually marked by several days of high fever, followed by a distinctive rash just as the fever breaks.

Two common, closely related viruses can cause roseola, human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 and type 7. These viruses belong to the same family as the better-known herpes simplex viruses (HSV), but do not cause the cold sores and genital herpes infections that HSV can cause.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Roseola?

Most children with roseola develop a mild upper respiratory illness, followed by a high fever (often higher than 103°F or 39.5°C) for up to a week. During this time, a child might be fussy or irritable, not eat as much as usual, and may have swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck.

The high fever often ends abruptly, and at about the same time a pinkish-red flat or raised rash starts on the trunk. The rash's spots turn white when touched, and individual spots may have a lighter "halo" around them. The rash usually spreads to the neck, face, arms, and legs.

This fast-rising fever can trigger febrile seizures (convulsions caused by high fevers) in about 10% to 15% of young children who have roseola. Signs of a febrile seizure include:

unconsciousness
2 to 3 minutes of jerking or twitching in the arms, legs, or face
loss of control of the bladder or bowels

Is Roseola Contagious?

Roseola is contagious. The infection spreads when a child with roseola talks, sneezes, or coughs, sending tiny droplets into the air that others can breathe in. The droplets also can land on surfaces; if other children touch those surfaces and then their nose or mouth, they can become infected.

Roseola may be contagious during the fever phase, but does not spread by the time the rash breaks out.

Can Roseola Be Prevented?

There is no known way to prevent roseola. But because it affects young kids rather than adults, it's thought that a bout of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. Repeat cases of roseola can happen, but are uncommon.

How Long Does Roseola Last?

The fever of roseola lasts from 3 to 7 days, followed by a rash lasting from hours to a few days.

How Is Roseola Diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, a doctor will take a

medical historyand do an exam. A diagnosis of roseola is often uncertain until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another type of infection.

How Is Roseola Treated?

Roseola usually does not require professional medical treatment. When it does, most treatment is focused on lowering the high fever. Antibiotics can't treat roseola because viruses, not bacteria, cause it.

Home Treatment

Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help to ease a fever. Never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because its use in such cases has been associated with Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death.

While some parents use lukewarm sponge baths to lower fever, there is no proof that this really works. In fact, sponge baths can make children uncomfortable. Never give your child an icy or cold bath or alcohol rubs.

To prevent dehydration from the fever, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips and Pedialyte (electrolyte oral replacement solution). Breast milk and formula can help prevent dehydration as well.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor if your child is lethargic or won't drink or breastfeed. If your child has a seizure, get emergency care right away.

Reviewed by: Julio E. Pajaro, MD

Date reviewed: January 2019

Roseola-Viral Rash

Is this your child's symptom?

Widespread fine pink rash caused by Roseola virus
Classic feature is that the rash is preceded by 3 to 5 days of high fever
The fever goes away before the rash starts
A doctor has told you that your child probably has Roseola or
Rash occurs after several days of fever. Fever gone now and your child feels fine.

Symptoms of Roseola

Most children get Roseola between 6 months and 3 years of age.
Rash: Pink, small, flat spots on the chest and stomach. Rash is the same on both sides of the body. Then may spread to the face and arms.
Classic feature: 3 to 5 days of high fever without a rash or other symptoms.
The rash starts 12 to 24 hours after the fever goes away.
The rash lasts 1 to 3 days.
By the time the rash appears, the child feels fine.

Cause of Roseola

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV6)

Viral Rashes and Drug Rashes

Prescription drugs sometimes cause widespread rashes.
Non-prescription (OTC) drugs rarely cause any rashes.
Most rashes that occur while taking an OTC drug are viral rashes.
Fever medicines (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) cause the most confusion. Reason: Most viral rashes start with a fever. Hence, the child is taking a fever med when the rash starts. But, the fever med had nothing to do with the rash.
Drug rashes can't be diagnosed over the phone.

Prevention

Good hand washing can prevent spread of infection.

When to Call for Roseola-Viral Rash

Call 911 Now

Rash becomes purple or blood-colored with fever
You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Large blisters on skin
Your child looks or acts very sick
You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Fever comes back
Rash becomes worse
You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Rash lasts more than 4 days
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Roseola rash

Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations

If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Bellevue
Everett
Federal Way
Seattle

Care Advice for Roseola

What You Should Know About Roseola:
- Most children get Roseola between 6 months and 3 years of age.
- It's the most common rash in this age group.
- By the time they get the rash, the fever is gone. The child feels fine.
- The rash is harmless and goes away on its own.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Treatment:
- No treatment is needed.
- Creams or medicines are not helpful.
Moisturizing Cream for Itch:
- Roseola usually is not itchy. If your child's rash is itchy, here are some tips.
- Use a moisturizing cream (such as Eucerin) once or twice daily.
- Apply the cream after a 5 or 10-minute bath. (Reason: Water-soaked skin feels less itchy).
- Avoid all soaps. (Reason: Soaps, especially bubble bath, make the skin dry and itchy).
Fever Medicine:
- For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Note: Fevers less than 102° F (39° C) are important for fighting infections.
- For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
- Note: By the time the rash occurs, the fever should be gone. If your child has both, see Rash or Redness - Widespread care guide.
What to Expect:
- Roseola rash goes away in 2-3 days.
- Some children with Roseola just have 3 days of fever without a rash.
Return to Child Care:
- Once the fever is gone for 24 hours, the disease is no longer contagious (AAP).
- Your child can return to child care or school, even if the rash is still present.
- Children exposed to your child earlier may come down with Roseola in 9-10 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Fever comes back
- Rash lasts more than 4 days
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Last Reviewed: 11/01/2022

Last Revised: 01/13/2022

Rash after fever in children. Treatment of rash in children. - FxMed

Young children often get viral infections accompanied by high fever. Some common childhood illnesses, including roseola and scarlet fever, which appear after a fever has passed, are accompanied by a rash.

Fever is not a disease, but a sign that the body's immune system is fighting infection. The body raises its temperature to fight invading bacteria or viruses.

Children aged 1-3 often get sick because:

their immune system is not yet fully developed
they constantly come into contact with a large number of viruses, especially in school and preschool institutions
they often put dirty hands or other foreign objects into their mouths

What are the most common illnesses in children that are accompanied by a rash after a fever?

Several common childhood illnesses may be accompanied by a rash after a fever. Most of them have a favorable course, but some require medical treatment, so it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.

Roseola infantum or sixth disease

Roseola infantum, also called roseola or sixth disease, is a viral infection. Babies and toddlers transmit the virus through saliva, coughs and sneezes.

Roseola can cause a sudden high fever of 38-39°C that lasts 3-6 days. Most children are active and have no other signs or symptoms at this stage of the illness, but some children may experience:

decreased appetite and refusal to eat
eye swelling or conjunctivitis
cough
runny nose
stool disorder
swollen lymph nodes
drowsiness or irritability.

As a rule, body temperature returns to normal on the third or fourth day of illness. After that, a rash appears.

In most cases, the rash of roseola:

consists of small pink spots, about 2-5 mm wide (mm)
can be slightly raised or flat
starts on the body and may spread to the arms, neck and face
does not itch, does not hurt
disappears when
resolves on its own in 1-2 days

The incubation period for roseola is 7-14 days, meaning that symptoms may appear up to 1-2 weeks after infection. For treatment, antipyretic drugs and a large amount of liquid are used. Antibiotics for roseola are not used.

The virus that causes roseola has a neurotropic effect, so children often become irritable, whiny and sleepy.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious disease that spreads from person to person.

Scarlet fever results from infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria can also cause oropharyngeal infections and specific skin infections such as impetigo.

Infected children can shed the bacteria through:

coughing and sneezing
sharing meals or drinks
touching infected areas of the skin of a sick person

Symptoms of scarlet fever may include:

fever of 38 or more
a red rash that starts on the neck, armpits, or groin area and spreads throughout the body
red "burning" throat, sore throat
white coating on the tongue
redness in skin folds, e. g. under the arms and inside the elbows and inner thighs
headache
body aches
nausea, abdominal pain or vomiting

Rash in scarlet fever rough, skin feels like sandpaper. It usually appears 1-2 days after the onset of fever, but may appear on the 7th day.

The area around the mouth usually remains pale, even if the rest of the face appears red. After the rash has gone, the skin may peel off.

A child with symptoms of scarlet fever should see a doctor as soon as possible. Rarely, group A streptococcal infections can cause serious complications, such as heart or kidney problems.

Most cases of scarlet fever are treated with antibiotics.

Hand-foot-mouth disease

Hand-foot-mouth disease is common in children under 5 years of age. Several different viruses can cause this disease, but the most common are enterovirus infections, such as Coxsackievirus and children can become infected through:

saliva
coughing and sneezing
vial liquid

Hand-foot-mouth disease often begins with fever, but may also present with sore throat, anorexia, and malaise.

Approximately 1-2 days after the onset of the disease, ulcers and a rash may appear.

Characteristic signs of the rash include:

mouth sores that are initially small but develop into painful blisters
flat, red patches on palms or soles
flat, red spots or blisters on the buttocks or groin

Although most enterovirus rashes resolve spontaneously, ulcers can be painful. If a child cannot eat or drink, there is a risk of dehydration. Children who do not eat or drink, are lethargic and drowsy, should be examined by a doctor immediately.

Fifth disease

Fifth disease, or erythema infectiosum, is a viral infection that usually occurs in children in the first 3 years of life. Parvovirus B19 is a virus that is spread through the air through sneezing or coughing.

Symptoms of the fifth disease may include:

fever
headache
runny nose

Redness of the cheeks is a characteristic symptom of this disease. In a small percentage of children, a red, patchy rash can be seen on the chest, buttocks, arms, and legs a few days after the cheeks turn red.

The rash may be itchy, tends to form a lacy pattern, and may last for several weeks.

The fifth disease goes away without a trace in most children. However, complications can develop in children and adults with weakened immune systems.

Since this is a viral disease, antibiotics are not effective. Plenty of fluids, rest, and antipyretic drugs are treatments that have proven effective.

How to treat diseases that are accompanied by a rash after a fever?

When giving medicine to a child:

be sure to consult a doctor
always follow the instructions on the package
do not exceed the maximum age dose of the drug

Encourage your child to drink enough fluids.

In most cases, the child will recover without any complications. However, it is important to monitor symptoms closely.

If symptoms worsen or do not disappear, do not postpone a visit to the pediatrician or family doctor

Childhood rash on the body of a child

What is strawberry tongue and slapped cheek syndrome? Why is measles called the first disease and scarlet fever the second? Why does the banal roseola scare parents so much? In honor of Children's Day, we are talking about childhood infections.

Any medical student knows about the six primary exanthems. These are infectious diseases with similar manifestations: they always begin with a fever and are accompanied by skin rashes, which are otherwise called exanthems. Mostly children get sick of them - usually easily, but some infections from this list can be dangerous, while others, although harmless, often make parents nervous. Here is the famous classic six.

First: measles

Measles, which practicing pediatricians have not encountered for a long time, is now on everyone's lips - the outbreak of the first disease has spread to a dozen European countries, and the incidence is growing in Russia. Measles is not as mild a disease as is commonly believed. It is unpleasant to get sick with it even in childhood, and adults, due to the peculiarities of the immune system, endure it hard. In addition, it is dangerous with complications that can develop in anyone: measles pneumonia, purulent otitis media, laryngeal stenosis, bronchitis, kidney, liver and brain damage. The consequence of measles can be deafness or blindness, people still die from it.

A typical symptom: spots of Belsky - Filatov - Koplik - a white rash similar to semolina, surrounded by a red border. They appear on the mucous membrane of the cheeks about a day before the measles rash.

Prevention and treatment : there is no cure for measles, the most reliable prevention of infection is a double vaccination.

Second: scarlet fever

All Soviet schoolchildren knew about the existence of this disease - from the gloomy poem "Death of a Pioneer" by Eduard Bagritsky, the heroine of which was dying in the hospital. In the 30s of the last century, when this work was written, scarlet fever was one of the most severe childhood infections. In our time, it is incomparably easier - experts attribute this to both improving the quality of life of children and the availability of antibiotics.

Scarlet fever is caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus. It is similar to a sore throat, but is manifested not only by high fever, general malaise and sore throat, but also by a small rash, which usually appears on the cheeks, on the folds of the arms and legs, under the armpits a day after the onset of the disease , on the sides of the body. Scarlet fever is a very contagious disease, according to sanitary standards it is subject to control: having made such a diagnosis, the doctor must inform the epidemic surveillance authority. After recovery, quarantine is established for up to 12 days.

Typical symptom: strawberry tongue - the surface of the tongue is scarlet, dotted with white dots.

Prevention and treatment : hemolytic streptococcus is transmitted by airborne droplets, the risk of infection is reduced by personal hygiene - washing hands, wet cleaning, etc. Treat scarlet fever with antibiotics.

Third: rubella

Given the high contagiousness of rubella and the fact that the patient begins to isolate the virus long before the onset of the first symptoms, it is easy to get sick with it if there is no vaccination. Often rubella is very mild, sometimes only with a rash, or even asymptomatic. Sometimes, when there are no rashes, it is mistaken for a mild SARS. However, the patient is still contagious.

The main danger of rubella is for pregnant women: infection during pregnancy can lead to interruption or severe pathologies in the fetus. The risk is higher the shorter the gestational age, which is why a blood test for antibodies to rubella and, if it is negative, a subsequent vaccination, are included in the preparation plan for conception. Children are vaccinated against rubella at the same time as measles - at 12 months and 6 years.

A typical symptom: an increase in the cervical lymph nodes before the appearance of a rash, red dots in the sky - the so-called Forksheimer's spots. The rash itself is smooth to the touch, similar to drops of paint. She acts first on the face and behind the ears, then on the rest of the skin.

Prevention and treatment : there is a vaccine for rubella, but no specific treatment.

Fourth: mononucleosis

Previously, the fourth was Filatov-Dukes disease - scarlatinal rubella. It was described as a mild form of scarlet fever, with a low fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a similar rash that went away on its own without complications. Subsequently, it ceased to be considered an independent disease.

Now the fourth disease is called infectious mononucleosis, although it is not always accompanied by a rash. The symptoms of this disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus are very diverse - it usually manifests itself with fever, sore throat, liver enlargement, general malaise, but joint pain, headaches, herpes on the skin, etc. can also occur. The rash with mononucleosis is similar to red spots are irregular in shape and occur in about 25 percent of cases. There is another type of rash characteristic of this disease: in the event that the patient takes antibiotics prescribed by mistake or "just in case", the so-called ampicillin rash may develop. She, unlike the usual, not associated with antibiotics, can itch - including at night, causing severe discomfort.

Typical symptoms: prolonged fever, inflammation of the tonsils, significant enlargement of the lymph nodes, ampicillin rash.

Prevention and treatment : personal hygiene - Epstein-Barr virus is very common and easily transmitted by airborne droplets and through household contact (mononucleosis is also called the kissing disease). The disease is treated with antiviral and symptomatic drugs.

Fifth: erythema infectiosum

The fifth disease, parvovirus infection, slap disease, is all erythema infectiosum, very common among children. It begins with fever, headache and runny nose, but differs from acute respiratory infections in rashes on the cheeks, and then on the body. The rash slowly passes, sometimes itches, becomes brighter, for example, in the heat. The fifth disease, caused by parvovirus B19, is mild and without consequences. However, there are two categories of people for whom this infection can be dangerous - pregnant women, especially in the early stages, and patients with anemia, in particular sickle cell. If they become infected with parvovirus, they need to see a doctor.

A typical symptom: in children - slapped cheek syndrome (bright red skin on the cheeks), in adults - joint pain. The rash on the body looks like lace.

Prevention and treatment : Personal hygiene, no treatment usually required.

Sixth: roseola

This disease is very frightening for parents, and doctors do not always recognize it, which leads to unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. The child suddenly develops a high temperature, which is difficult to reduce with the help of antipyretics. There are no other symptoms - no cough, no runny nose, no pain of any kind.

In fact, there is nothing dangerous in roseola. It develops when a child becomes infected with the herpes simplex virus type 6. This happens so often that almost all children have time to get sick with roseola before the age of 5. You can only transfer it once in your life.

A typical symptom: exactly after 3 days the temperature returns to normal sharply (hence another name for roseola - children's three-day fever) and a rash appears in another day.

Prevention and treatment : not required - roseola is not dangerous and goes away on its own.

How to recognize scarlet fever and why "stars" on the skin are alarming

Of course, the list of infections that may be accompanied by rashes is not limited to these six diseases. It is quite large - this is chickenpox, and enterovirus infection, and yersiniosis, and shingles, and many others. Unfortunately, among such infections there are also very dangerous ones, in which delay can lead to serious consequences and death of a person. How not to miss such situations, what to pay special attention to when a rash is an alarming symptom, in which cases laboratory tests are needed, says pediatrician Elena Nikiforova, medical expert at the laboratory of personalized medicine LabQuest.

In what cases is it necessary to take tests?

– As a rule, these diseases are diagnosed clinically, because there is a typical picture of the disease. This applies to measles, rubella, roseola, infectious erythema, in which the rash appears at a certain point and in stages. With measles, the diagnosis is further confirmed in the infectious diseases department - this disease is not treated at home. With rubella, the doctor may order general blood and urine tests if there is a suspicion that a bacterial infection has joined.

With scarlet fever, the diagnosis is a test for group A streptococcus. There are home tests that help to differentiate the pathogen on the spot, a throat swab is taken in the laboratory. You need to take the test promptly, at the first symptoms, before starting treatment and even using symptomatic remedies - a throat spray, lozenges, etc. If the result is positive, and the child has a fever, red throat, raids on the tonsils, an antibiotic is prescribed.

Now, a blood test for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, is being massively prescribed. And often, treatment is prescribed even if IgG antibodies are detected, which indicate a previous infection and developed immunity. Mononucleosis is treated only in the acute period - this can be determined using a blood test for type M antibodies (IgM).

When is a fever and rash a reason to call an ambulance?

- There is a principle that doctors adhere to and that parents should take note of: any fever and rash is a reason to immediately call an ambulance. First of all, it is necessary to diagnose meningococcemia. Meningococcal infection affects the lining of the brain. Very rarely, this happens at lightning speed, with meningitis there is at least a day to diagnose this disease and begin to treat it. Meningococcemia develops when the infection begins to affect the walls of blood vessels, it actively multiplies, a toxin is released into the blood, and sepsis develops. This is a lightning-fast disease in which a child can die in just a matter of hours. The rash in this case is specific - it resembles hemorrhagic "asterisks". If a child has a fever, and there are at least one or two such elements on the skin, this is a reason to immediately call an ambulance or take him to the infectious diseases department of the nearest hospital on his own.

A hemorrhagic rash can also appear with a disease such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia. This is an autoimmune disease that can develop against the background of any infectious process. The patient's platelet count drops in the blood and a characteristic rash may appear - usually on the legs, on the stomach.

Welcome

Find us on iTunes!

Popular Posts