Causes and risk factors
Human herpes virus-6 and human herpes virus-7 is the causative organism, collectively called as roseolovirus. Mode of transmission is by contact with infected person’s respiratory secretion or saliva.
Clinical presentation
The incubation period after the infection with the virus is 1-2 weeks. Symptoms of exanthema subitum include sudden high-grade fever [102°F to 104°F]. Fever lasting for 3-5 days. Fever is followed by widespread rosy-pink rash. Rash may be flat or raised. Rash starts with chest and then spreads over the entire body excluding the face. There is no itching or discomfort with the rash. Rash fades away in a few hours to days. Accompanying symptoms include irritability, mild sore throat, runny nose, cough, swollen glands, mild diarrhea either before or during fever. Some children may experience febrile convulsions due to sudden rise in temperature.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the dermatologist can help in diagnosis.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the exanthema subitum. Treatment consists of rest, adequate fluid intake. Antipyretic and analgesic medications are prescribed for symptomatic relief.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating exanthema subitum. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating exanthema subitum.
