roseloa

Question 1

what are other names for roseola?

Answer 1

roseola infantum or exanthem subitum

Question 2

what age group is roseola primarily seen in?

Answer 2

infants and toddlers

Question 3

what is the causative organism of roseola?

Answer 3

human herpes virus 6 (10-30% caused by HHV7) meaning you can get this more than once!

Question 4

how does roseola present?

Answer 4

• 3-4 days of high fever with not many other symptoms
• fever breaks and then rash appears
• diffuse, erythematous maculopapular eruption as fever subsides (1-3 days)
  > begins on TRUNK!, spreads out from there to arms, neck, face and legs ( < 24 hour duration)

Question 5

what are associated symptoms of roseola?

Answer 5

mild pharyngitis and/or cough, irritability, toxic appearance, associated with ~1/3 of all febrile seizures

Question 6

how would you evaluate or diagnose a patient you suspected had roseola?

Answer 6

• WBC count ELEVATED during first 24-36 hours of fever, often with high neutrophil counts
• WBCs LOW during 2nd and 3rd days of fever, sometimes resulting in neutropenia

Question 7

how would you treat roseola?

Answer 7

• self-limiting
• hydration and anti-pyretics
• complications are rare