Personal Stories from TB Survivors - My Journey fighting TB
What Is Roseola?
Roseola is a common viral infection that mainly affects children under age 2, usually between the ages of 6 and 12 months. It's so common that almost all children in the U.S. Have had it by the time they turn 2. Although it's rare, older children and adults can also get it.
Doctors or other health care professionals might call it roseola infantum or exanthema subitum. You may also hear people calling roseola sixth disease. The simple explanation for that is that roseola was the sixth childhood rash (like measles) that scientists named.
Most of the time, roseola is nothing to worry about, and kids get better on their own.
The main symptoms of roseola are fever and a flat, red rash. The rash can last from a few hours to several days. (Photo Credit: Desislava Vasileva/Dreamstime)
Roseola is an infection caused by one of two viruses. Most often, it's caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Occasionally, it's caused by human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). When someone who has the virus talks, coughs, or sneezes, they spread infected droplets into the air, which your child can breathe in. These droplets can also land on surfaces, like a tabletop or a toy, contaminating them. If your child touches the contaminated area and then brings their hand to their nose or mouth, they can become infected too.
Unfortunately, it can take up to 15 days after getting infected to start showing symptoms -- and someone can be contagious before they are sick. That's one reason why roseola can spread so easily.
Older children and adults can get roseola, but it's rare. This is probably because once you've had roseola, it's unlikely that you will get it again. You'll have some immunity against it. Since most children in the U.S. Have roseola by the time they're 2 years old, it's likely you had also it and are now immune.
There is an exception to the immunity though. If you have a weakened immune system (are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised), you could get roseola again.
Your child might not have any symptoms for 5-15 days after getting the virus that causes roseola. When symptoms do appear, the first thing you'll usually notice is a sudden, high fever (over 103 F) that lasts or can come and go for 3-7 days. Other symptoms can include:
Roseola rash
About one-quarter of people with roseola develop a flat, spotty, reddish rash after the fever goes away. It first appears on the chest, back, and belly, and then spreads to the neck and trunk. It doesn't itch and may last just a few hours or a few days. Some people get the rash without having a fever.
Roseola vs. Measles rash
There are several childhood infections that cause rashes, and it can be hard to tell them apart sometimes. Measles is a much more severe infection than roseola, and it's much more contagious. If you're not sure about what might be causing your child's rash, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. There are differences between the two that you can look for:
Where the rash starts. If your child has roseola and develops a rash, it usually starts on the chest, back, and belly, and then it spreads. If your child has measles, the rash would start on their face and then spread downward.
Color of the rash. A roseola rash is red or pink. A measles rash is red or red-brown.
How the rash looks. If your child has a roseola rash, you'll see that each spot is separate -- the spots don't touch each other. The spots in a measles rash, however, join together.
Peeling. A roseola rash fades away while a measles rash gets flaky or peels.
Most times, doctors can tell if your child has roseola by looking at them and reviewing their symptoms. If there's a rash, the doctor will look at it to make sure it's not caused by another virus, like measles. Blood tests aren't usually done for a roseola diagnosis, but they can be, especially if your doctor wants to rule out another illness.
There's no treatment for roseola, and since it's caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help (they're only for bacterial infections). Your child's doctor will likely recommend treating the symptoms to help make your child more comfortable. If your child has a health condition or takes medications that suppress their immune system, speak with your child's doctor as soon as possible after they show signs of being ill because the doctor might recommend extra treatment.
If your child has a high fever or is uncomfortable, you can:
There really isn't anything to do for the rash since it's not itchy or painful.
If your child develops other symptoms or becomes very sick, their doctor might recommend an antiviral medication -- either foscarnet or ganciclovir.
Is roseola contagious?
Roseola is contagious, so you should keep your child away from others, at least until the fever goes away. Once it's been gone for at least 24 hours, they can play with other kids, even if they still have a rash.
There's no medical treatment for roseola, but there are some things you can do at home to help keep your child more comfortable.
Keep your child hydrated. Here are some helpful tips:
Make sure they get plenty of rest. Resting is the best way to wait out a virus. If your child has a fever, cover them lightly -- don't pile on the blankets.
Keep them comfortable. A cool cloth on the forehead can help your child feel less feverish and more comfortable. It used to be advised to give kids a cold bath if they had a fever, but that's not a good idea and isn't recommended anymore. Instead, you can give your child a sponge bath with a lukewarm cloth.
Most children recover from roseola in about a week. The fever can last from 3 to 5 days. If they get a rash, this can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
If your child seems to be getting worse or has a seizure, take your child to an emergency department or call 911. If your child isn't better after a week, contact your doctor.
Most children recover from roseola infection within a week without any complications. But, as with all illnesses, there can be some complications.
Febrile seizures
About 10% to 15% of young children who have roseola have febrile seizures. These are seizures that are caused by the high fever. They usually last from a few seconds to 15 minutes. Some may last longer. During one of these seizures, your child may:
Febrile seizures can be frightening, but they are typically harmless. But if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, you should call emergency medical services. In either case, contact your doctor right away, even if the seizure is short.
Rare roseola complications
More serious complications are rare. If they do happen, it's usually among children who have problems with their immune system, such as those with cancer or who have had an organ transplant. These include:
Unlike some other childhood diseases like measles or chickenpox that have vaccines, there is no roseola vaccine. The only way you can try to prevent roseola is by good and regular hand washing and avoiding people who are infected with the virus.
Roseola is such a common childhood viral infection that almost all children in the U.S. Have had it by the time they turn 2 years old. There is no roseola treatment and most children recover from the virus quickly. Although complications are rare, around 10% to 15% of children who have high fevers from roseola have febrile seizures. If you are worried about your child or they have seizures with fever, contact your doctor as soon as possible or go to the emergency room.
What can roseola be mistaken for?
Because of the rash and fever, some people might mistake roseola for measles. However, the rash is different and measles is a much more serious infection.
Can adults get roseola from a child?
It is possible for an adult to get roseola from a child, but it's rare. Most adults had roseola when they were young, and this makes them immune to getting it again. However, if the adult has a suppressed immune system, they could get it a second time.
Can kids go to school with roseola?
Children with roseola shouldn't go to school because they can spread the infection. Once the fever is gone, they should be OK to go back to school.
Is it OK to bathe a baby if they have roseola?
It's best to give a sponge bath with lukewarm water to help your baby be more comfortable if they have roseola.
How do you soothe roseola rash?
Roseola rashes aren't itchy or sore, so there is no need to soothe them.
Fifth Disease
Fifth disease, also known as erythema infectiosum, is a contagious viral illness caused by parvovirus B19. It is most common in children, but it can also affect adults. The main symptom of fifth disease is a rash that often appears on the cheeks. It can be bright red on lighter skin tones and not as noticeable on darker ones. The rash may later spread to the arms, legs, and torso. Adults may get joint pain and swelling. Most cases of fifth disease are mild, but it can sometimes cause complications in people with weakened immune systems or blood disorders.
Fifth disease got its name many years ago when it was the fifth on a list of the six recognized childhood rash-forming illnesses. The others are measles, scarlet fever, rubella, Duke's disease, and roseola.
Fifth disease symptoms appear and go away over a few weeks as you pass through the infection's three stages.
Stage 1
The first stage of fifth disease symptoms can last from seven to 14 days. They include:
Stage 2
About two to three weeks after you've been exposed to the virus, you're no longer contagious, so you can't spread the virus. If it's your child who is sick, this is when you might see a bright red rash on their cheeks, which is why some people call the infection "slapped cheek disease." The red cheeks are more common in children 10 years old or younger, and it generally lasts for five to 10 days. For people with darker skin tones, the rash might not be as noticeable.
Stage 3
At this point, if there's a rash, it will likely spread along the chest, back, arms, and legs, and the red cheeks will fade. The body rash won't look as red (or dark on dark skin) as it did on the face, though. It might look more blotchy or like lace, and the rash may be itchy but it won't hurt.
Fifth disease in adults
Fifth disease is a very common childhood disease, and once you've had the infection, you shouldn't get it again; you're immune. For this reason, not many adults get it. If you do get fifth disease as an adult, you typically won't get the rash, but you could get severe flu-like symptoms (sore muscles, coughing, etc.). About 80% of adults, mostly women, who get fifth disease get joint pain in their wrists, hands, and knees.
Fifth disease in infants
Infants can get fifth disease if they're exposed to the virus, but it usually affects children ages 5 to 15, probably because of how it can spread in schools and child care centers. Newborns may be exposed to the virus during early pregnancy, though. If this happens, they could develop severe anemia.
Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19. It's usually a mild infection, although very contagious. Child care centers and schools are often where children get it because they're indoors together for long periods. Some people don't get any symptoms when they get infected with parvovirus B19, so they never know they were infected.
Fifth disease is generally a mild illness that doesn't cause any serious symptoms, but it can be serious for some people who are pregnant. Although it's rare, someone who becomes infected with the virus early during a pregnancy could have a miscarriage. If you are pregnant and have reason to believe that you have or had fifth disease during the pregnancy, or you were exposed to it, speak with your doctor. They may want to monitor you and your baby more closely to check for problems. This could mean extra:
Fifth disease is spread through infected droplets in the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they send these droplets into the air where you can breathe them in. These droplets can also land on hard surfaces like desktops, toys, or doorknobs, for example. When you touch these contaminated surfaces and then touch your face or nose, the virus can enter your body. If you're pregnant and you get fifth disease, it can spread through your blood to the baby. This is rare, though.
By the time the rash appears, children are no longer contagious and may attend school or day care. The incubation period (the time between infection and signs or symptoms of illness) is usually four to 14 days.
Adults who work with young children – such as child care providers, teachers, and health care workers – are most likely to be exposed.
To limit the spread of fifth disease among children at home or in a child care setting, take the following steps:
In most cases, fifth disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of typical symptoms. Although a blood test can confirm whether you have fifth disease, it's usually not necessary unless you have a problem with your immune system.
If you're pregnant and you've been exposed to fifth disease, your doctor may want you to have a blood test to determine whether you had it in the past. If you have had it before, you should be immune.
But if you do get fifth disease while you're pregnant, your doctor may recommend close monitoring. This can include having more frequent ultrasounds so your doctor can look for complications in your unborn baby, such as abnormal fluid pooling around the heart, lungs, or belly. But most of the time, fifth disease doesn't cause a baby any problems.
If an ultrasound shows there might be a problem, your doctor might want you to have either an amniocentesis or a test called cordocentesis to verify if you have the infection and, if so, how bad it is.
The goal of fifth disease treatment is to ease symptoms and make you or your child more comfortable. There's no specific medicine to treat the virus that causes fifth disease. Your doctor might suggest:
Children under 6 months shouldn't be given ibuprofen. For children younger than 6 years, ask your pediatrician before using over-the-counter cold or cough medications. Never give aspirin or products containing aspirin to a child.
Fifth disease is usually mild for otherwise healthy kids and adults and poses little risk to your health. But it can cause chronic anemia in people with sickle cell disease or a weakened immune system. You or your child could need a blood transfusion in this case, which would require a hospital stay.
You're more likely to have serious complications from fifth disease if you have a weakened immune system. Conditions that can weaken your immune system include leukemia and other cancers, HIV infection, and organ transplants.
If you get fifth disease while pregnant, there is a slight risk you could lose your baby.
You should make that call to your doctor when:
Fifth disease is a common childhood disease that most often affects children from 5 to 15 years old. This is because it's often spread in child care and school settings. Once you've had fifth disease, healthy adults can't get it again, so it's not common for adults to get it. But if you're pregnant and are exposed to fifth disease, speak with your doctor, because there is a rare risk of miscarriage.
King Charles: How Is His Cancer Treatment Going Three Months After Diagnosis?
Image caption,The King greeted well-wishers at an Easter church service on 31 March
By Smitha Mundasad
Health reporter
It has been almost three months since King Charles was diagnosed with an unspecified type of cancer.
At the time the monarch, 75, said he remained "wholly positive" about his treatment and looked forward to returning to public duties as soon as possible.
And although he postponed his public-facing duties, he continued with his constitutional work as head of state, including doing paperwork and private meetings.
He is now "greatly encouraged" to be resuming some public duties while continuing treatment for cancer.
How is the King doing now?
Buckingham Palace's tone is positive.
It says the King's medical team is "very encouraged" about his continued recovery and that his doctors have been "sufficiently pleased" with progress made so far.
Some of his engagements will be adapted, if needed, "to minimise any risks to His Majesty's continued recovery".
For example, he will not take on a full summer programme.
The King, has generally led a fit and active life, with few reported medical problems.
His cancer was discovered incidentally during a procedure for a benign (non-cancerous) prostate enlargement.
As soon as the cancer was spotted he quickly started a course of treatment.
Experts know that catching and treating cancer early gives the best chance of a good recovery.
Is he still having treatment?
The Palace says his "treatment programme" will continue and it is too early to say how long that might last.
It has not given any details about the type of treatment the King is having.
Cancer treatments can come in many different forms.
Some are more intensive - requiring lots of hospital trips - and have more side effects than others. Other ones can be given at home.
There are many different ways of tackling cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to remove or destroy cancerous cells.
Often a combination of different approaches is used.
Follow-up care can be very important too - including scans and regular checks.
Some people may receive cancer treatment for weeks, months or years.
This might be to prevent cancer from returning, put cancer into remission or help control the progression of cancer, for example.
Some rounds of treatment can dampen the immune system for a while - meaning the risk of infections can be increased.
Is there a risk the King may be taking on too much?
Buckingham Palace says the King's diary will be "carefully calibrated" as his recovery continues.
His medical team will be in close consultation and make sure he gets all the treatment he needs. They won't want any of his duties to hinder that progress and his engagements can be adapted, if necessary.
Cancer, and the treatments given to stop it, can cause extreme tiredness or fatigue. And that can vary throughout the day, with each day being different.
What type of cancer does the King have?
The palace has not disclosed details about the type of cancer the King has but has said it is not prostate cancer.
Like any patient, medical details are private.
Buckingham Palace says: "His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise."
What is it like to live with cancer?
The King joins the legions of people around the world living with cancer. One in two people in the UK develop some kind of cancer during their lifetime.
It's a diagnosis that impacts not just your health but your social, family and working life too.
After taking some time off, His Majesty will shortly return to public-facing duties.
Notably, his first visit next week will be to a cancer treatment centre.
He now understands first-hand what living with cancer can entail, although the journey is different for each individual affected.
His may not be the typical story, but he says he is deeply grateful for the kindness and good wishes he has received since going public about it.
There is practical support and information out there for people trying to navigate their way, juggling cancer treatment alongside all the daily responsibilities of life, like paying the bills.
Emotional support is vital too. You may want to talk to someone you know well - a partner or friend - or perhaps someone you do not know so well, like your doctor or a specialist nurse. Some organisations such as Mind and MacMillan can offer this type of support too, external.
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