Infant Development Study

Pediatricians Study the Effects of the Roseola Virus

About the Roseola Virus

If you are a parent or a grandparent you have probably heard of the roseola virus (also called HHV6). All babies normally get this virus, usually between 6 months and 18 months of age. It is in the same family of viruses that gives us chicken pox and cold sores. Once you get the roseola virus it stays in your body for life and usually causes no trouble afterward.

Symptoms

Typically the roseola virus causes a very high fever of 104 to 105 degrees that lasts for 4 or 5 days and is followed by a rash. It is hard for pediatricians to diagnose because many times there are no other symptoms other than the fever. Some babies do not even get the rash.

Complications

The major complication of the roseola virus, which occurs in about 1 in 10 babies, is seizures.

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