Epidemiology
- Peak incidence: 6 months to 2 years
Etiology
- Pathogen
- HHV-6 (and in rare cases HHV-7)
- Humans are the sole hosts.
- Route of transmission: droplet infection (e.g., saliva)
Pathophysiology
Clinical features
Tip
热退疹出,颜色粉红
Febrile phase
- Duration: 3–5 days
- Fever
- Abrupt onset of high fever, in some cases > 40ºC (104ºF)
- Febrile seizures are a potential complication of roseola (see “Complications” below).
- Cervical, postauricular, and/or occipital lymphadenopathy
- Inflamed tympanic membranes
- Nagayama spots: papular enanthem on the uvula and soft palate
Exanthem phase
- Duration: 1–3 days
- Characteristic presentation: subsequent sudden decrease in temperature and development of a patchy, maculopapular exanthem
- Rose-pink in color; blanches upon pressure
- Nonpruritic (in contrast to the drug allergy rash)
- Originates on the trunk; sometimes spreads to the face and extremities