Human Herpesvirus 6 Treatment & Management

  • Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 23, 2010
 

Medical Care

In roseola, symptomatic treatment of the fever is recommended, including baths, lightweight clothing, and rest. Fluids are encouraged. If the patient has a febrile seizure, no seizure medication is necessary.

  • To evaluate the influence of ganciclovir (GCV) prophylaxis on human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) replication in renal transplant recipients, Galarraga et al[24] studied 3 groups, (1) patients not taking GCV, (2) patients taking short-term GCV prophylaxis (< 30 d), and (3) patients taking long-term GCV prophylaxis (>60 d). The antiviral did not affect the prevalence of HHV-6 (67.2%), but HHV-6 viremia appeared after (42 ±31 d posttransplant) and was shorter (29 ±30 d) among patients on long-term GCV prophylaxis.
  • Because HHV-6 and HHV-7 are possibly associated with pityriasis rosea, systemic drugs directed against HHV may hasten recovery of patients with pityriasis rosea. High-dose acyclovir may be effective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea, especially in patients treated in the first week from onset, when replicative viral activity of HHV is probably very high.[25]
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Consultations

Consult a pediatrician for evaluation of any atypical findings.

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Activity

Advise rest for children with roseola until the fever breaks and the rash appears.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Cris Jagar, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Psychiatry, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ewa Koziorynska, MD  Assistant Professor of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Ewa Koziorynska, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Sigma Xi

Disclosure: none None None

Specialty Editor Board

Franklin Flowers, MD  Chief, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Medicine and Otolaryngology, University of Florida College of Medicine

Franklin Flowers, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Meffert, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio

Jeffrey Meffert, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Glen H Crawford, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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