What to Know about Roseola
Roseola is caused by a virus belonging to the herpes family but is not a cold sore or sexually transmitted disease. A sudden, high fever marks the onset of the virus and will last around 2-3 days. The fever can disappear as quickly as it came and will be followed by a rash after the fever disappears. If you’ve got a child under two, you may want to be on the lookout for roseola. While roseola is usually a mild infection, it can really cause some discomfort, especially in younger children.
When to Go and What to Know
Generally, roseola is easy to treat at home with rest and over the counter medications. Roseola is so common that most children have had it before they even walk through the doors of their kindergarten classroom. However, if your child’s symptoms last longer than a few days, it’s a good idea to seek care. If the fever lasts more than a week or is above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, that little body might be having trouble fighting the illness.
There are a few things to know that will help determine what kind of treatment your little one might need.
Make sure you make note of:
- Symptoms
- Length of sickness
- Possible sources of infection
- Eating and drinking habits during their sickness
- What treatments you’ve tried at home and their effectiveness
- Any medical conditions your child has
- Any medications your child is on
- Any questions you might have
While the red rash that accompanies roseola can help you decide what it is, the best way to diagnose roseola is by seeking medical care. The medical professionals at FastMed are here whenever you need them. We have extended hours during the week and even on weekends and holidays for your convenience. We also strive to be an affordable alternative to the ER for non-life-threatening conditions. FastMed accepts most major insurance plans.
We’re proud to provide our customers with quality care at their convenience. It is our mission to serve our communities and patients with a high level of quality, personal care, affordable and convenient urgent care, family practice, and other specialty medicine services.