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How did my child get roseola?
Roseola is caused by a type of herpes virus. The virus can enter the body through the nose and mouth. It is spread when a child breathes in droplets that contain the virus after an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs.
Do adults get roseola virus?
It occasionally affects adults. Roseola is so common that most children have been infected with roseola by the time they enter kindergarten. Two common strains of the herpes virus cause roseola. The condition typically causes several days of fever, followed by a rash.
How long is roseola contagious for?
It has an incubation period (from time of exposure to the virus to symptom development) from about five to 14 days. The individual remains contagious until one or two days after the fever subsides. The roseola rash may still be present, but the child or individual is usually not contagious after the fever abates.
Can adults get roseola from child?
Most cases of roseola occur in childhood and are not serious. Adults can still be infected, especially if they didn’t have roseola as a child. People with a compromised immune system may also experience a reactivated roseola infection.
Can parents transmit roseola?
Roseola is contagious, meaning it can be spread from one person to another. It is spread by the fluids that are coughed or sneezed into the air. Children with roseola can only spread the infection before the fever and/or rash occur. Once your child has symptoms, they are no longer contagious.
Is there any treatment for roseola?
There’s no specific treatment for roseola, although some doctors may prescribe the antiviral medication ganciclovir (Cytovene) to treat the infection in people with weakened immunity. Antibiotics aren’t effective in treating viral illnesses, such as roseola.
Is a bath good for roseola?
A lukewarm sponge bath or a cool washcloth applied to your child’s head can soothe the discomfort of a fever. However, avoid using ice, cold water, fans or cold baths.
How long does it take to recover from roseola?
Most children recover fully from roseola within a week of the onset of the fever. With your doctor’s advice, you can give your child over-the-counter medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers.
What cream is good for roseola?
Moisturizing Cream for Itch: Roseola usually is not itchy. If your child’s rash is itchy, here are some tips. Use a moisturizing cream once or twice daily. Examples are Eucerin or Cetaphil creams.
Can roseola cause brain damage?
Roseola typically does not cause any complications. However, in some children, up to 15 percent of cases, the high fever can cause febrile seizures (fever seizures). In very rare cases, roseola can lead to other complications like encephalitis, i.e. an inflammation of brain structures.