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The truth behind fatal epileptic seizures: Why does roseola send children into sudden convulsions?
Roseola, also known as the sixth disease, is an infectious disease caused by certain human herpes viruses. Most infections occur in children under three years of age, and many parents are unaware of the dangers of the condition.
When symptoms occur, it is common to have a sudden onset of high fever, followed by a rash. This high fever usually lasts three to five days, while the rash is mostly pink and lasts no more than three days. Some children experience seizures during fever, making roseola a cause for concern, especially as these seizures may lead to more serious comorbidities.
The main causes of this condition are human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6A and HHV-6B) and human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7).
Signs and symptoms
Fever
The typical course of roseola begins with a period of high fever lasting three to six days, with temperatures exceeding 40°C. During this time, many children may appear malignant and generally feel unwell, however many children remain active and awake during these eight days. Fever at this time is often detected by accident rather than actively sought out.
Skin rash
When the fever ends, a rash follows. These rashes first appear on the trunk and then spread to the neck, limbs and face. They are usually small pink bumps between 2 and 5 mm in size. This is called centrifugal diffusion. This stage of the rash is generally not accompanied by scaling or itching and can last anywhere from a few hours to two days.
Other symptoms
While most children will have clear symptoms, a small number of children will have few other obvious signs when infected with HHV-6. They may develop otitis media, upper respiratory tract symptoms, diarrhea, etc., which often appear during the fever stage. These complications, and even the eventual onset of a rash, can cause parents to worry even more.
Cause and spread
The way roseola spreads is quite complicated. Experience shows that the virus is spread through the saliva of healthy individuals with the virus, and the mother may even pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy. This makes the disease more insidious.
Compared with other similar diseases, roseola has a more subtle way of transmission, which often prevents many parents from taking precautions in time.
Diagnosis and Prevention
Diagnosis of roseola is usually based on clinical symptoms, namely the presence of fever and rash. Laboratory testing is not required in most cases, and in exceptional cases, only immunocompromised individuals may require further testing.
Because many viruses can cause roseola, no specific preventive measures are recommended, and routine hygiene (such as frequent hand washing) is recommended as a universal method of prevention. And those who have been exposed or infected can continue to have life-long but not necessarily serious illness.
Treatment and prognosis
Most cases of HHV-6 infection resolve spontaneously, so supportive care becomes the mainstay of treatment. During fever, antipyretics such as acetaminophen can be used to control the fever. For epileptic seizures caused by high fever, it is recommended to seek medical help. As the rash stage approaches, parental reassurance is undoubtedly very important. By cooperating with the treatment of the medical team, the vast majority of children can successfully survive the disease.
According to research, the prognosis for children with roseola is relatively good, and seizures in most cases will not cause long-term effects.
Although most symptoms of roseola can resolve on their own, in the face of potential epileptic seizures, how can you, as a parent, increase your awareness of your child's health?
