Medical Care
At present, no medical antiviral therapy is available for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection that causes roseola. Thus, treatment of roseola infantum is supportive. [13] However, in 2002, Rapaport et al reported that antiviral prophylaxis with ganciclovir may prevent HHV-6 reactivation in high-risk bone marrow transplant patients. [14] Further double-blinded randomized studies are needed.
Short- or long-term antiseizure medications are not recommended for infants who have had a febrile seizure secondary to roseola.
Inpatient care for roseola infantum consists of support with antipyretics and treatment of gastroenterologic, respiratory, hematologic, or CNS complications.
Consultations
A pediatric consultation is recommended for infants with roseola infantum who have febrile seizures.
Prevention
Because seroconversion in the United States is nearly 100%, isolation is not indicated. The infection is spread through saliva in both the acute phase and the chronic phase.
No risk appears to be present to pregnant women exposed to roseola. Care must be taken to distinguish this from rubella. No reports of infection or complications following exposure exist. This is probably because of the nearly universal seroconversion and latent infection. No sequelae of intrauterine infection are known. Isolation is not indicated.
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Roseola infantum. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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Roseola infantum. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
