Sunday, April 28, 2013

Roseola Infantum

Casey had roseola on February 22, 2013, exactly 10 days after her first birthday. We noticed the appearance of red rashes on her abdomen and stomach area. (First time moms will naturally be scared of this development in their baby). Then we noticed that the rashes were spreading to her arms, face and legs.

Since I already experienced taking care of  a baby with roseola (Casey's mom), I was no longer scared about Casey having it. When I saw the rashes on Casey's abdominal area, I immediately told my daughter it was roseola which was later confirmed by my doctor brother that it was indeed roseola infantum based on the symptoms and type of rashes.

What is Roseola Infantum?

Roseola infantum or simply roseola is a kind of measles that occur in babies who are younger than 2 years old and is caused by the Roseolovirus.

Roseola is characterized by high fever which could cause convulsions due to the sudden rush of high temperature in certain babies. After a few days, the fever will disappear and the baby goes back to his normal day-to-day activities.

However, just as things are getting back to normal, rashes will suddenly appear starting from the abdomen and spread to the arms, legs and face.

Not all babies who are sick of roseola will go into fits of convulsions, though. This rarely happens to healthy, especially breastfed babies unless there is an underlying cause to the convulsion attacks or seizures.

Don't worry, moms, roseola is not a serious disease but you need to see your baby's pediatrician for proper treatment and management of this disease.