Monday, April 6, 2009

info on roseola... you asked

Roseola is a fairly mild and common viral illness that usually strikes children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Roseola usually starts out with a sudden, relatively high fever, often above 103 degrees Fahrenheit.The fever typically lasts three to five days and may end abruptly, followed by the telltale rash. The rash may last for days or only hours.The rash is pink and may have small flat spots or raised bumps. These spots may have a lighter "halo" around them and may turn white if you press on them.The rash isn't itchy or uncomfortable, and contact with the rash itself doesn't spread the illness. It's usually seen on the trunk and neck, but it can extend to the arms, legs, and face.If your baby has roseola, he may also be irritable and tired and have mild diarrhea, a decreased appetite, and swollen eyelids. The lymph nodes in his neck and at the base of his skull may also be a bit enlarged. In general, children with roseola don't appear especially ill, considering how high their fevers get.

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