Conditions

Roseola

Roseola is a common disease in infants (and toddlers) that is caused by the human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6). It is unknown how the virus is acquired, however, it is transferred from mother to unborn child. Some believe it is passed through viral shedding in saliva.

The virus is a nonspecific febrile disease with an incubation period of one to two weeks, usually followed by skin rash.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Fever - sudden onset of high fever (103° to 106°F), usually lasting three to four days; child usually remains alert and active. Fever subsides promptly with appearance of rash.
• Rash-usually appears as fever resolves and lasts for three to four days; may be measles-like (macular, coalescent) or rubella-like (papular); discrete, nonpruritic, rose-colored lesions are 2 to 3 mm in diameter; usually appears first on trunk and spreads to neck and extremities but spares face.
• Seizures-relatively rare, appearing at height of fever; resolves when fever subsides; may occur without rash.
• Bulging anterior fontanelle.
• Respiratory symptoms, inflamed tympanic membranes, and diarrhea occur in about half of the cases.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is by exclusion of other diseases and by observation of the pattern of fever and rash. Roseola can be suspected when it is known to be in the community.

Treatment Options:

There is no cure for roseola. Most cases are self-limiting and benign. Cool baths reduce temperature and lightweight bedclothes can lessen the effects of the condition.

Traditional Treatments:

• Acetaminophen is given for fever and pain. Aspirin is generally avoided to reduce the risk of Reye's Syndrome.
• High fluid intake prevents dehydration.
• Sedatives (e.g., diazepam [Valium]) may reduce chance of seizures in children prone to convulsions.
• Phenobarbital is sometimes given for seizures.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:

The main focus is on managing the symptoms and on preventing febrile seizures (brought on by a rapid rise in the temperature or too high a temperature). The correct homeopathic remedy can be very effective. Herbal teas are diaphoretic, antipyretic and calming. Adult doses are listed, unless otherwise specified. The formula to determine the child's dose is (age of child/20) x adult dose = child dose. Adult doses may be given to the mother for breast-feeding babies.

Nutritional Supplementation:

Nutritional supplements are geared towards stimulating the immune system to help speed healing.

• Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C three times daily, until symptoms clear up.
• Take 30 to 60 mg of zinc daily, until symptoms clear up.
• Take 250,000 IU of Beta-carotene per a day, until symptoms clear up.

Alternative Therapies:

• Catnip is an antipyretic, sedative, spasmolytic.
• Peppermint is a carminative and spasmolytic, with a history of use for colds and fevers
• Use elder to disperse fever and calm nerves.
• Fennel is used for dyspepsia; decreasing upper respiratory congestion and for calming nerves.
• Yarrow can help with the loss of appetite and with dispersing a fever.
• Chamomile stimulates immune system and allows for sleep.

General Recommendations:

• Garlic/ginger tea (one to three cloves garlic and one to three slices of fresh ginger) may stimulate the immune system and prevent upper respiratory infections. Lemon and a sweetener may be added for flavor. Avoid honey in children less than 2 years old.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Visit an experienced homeopath that can assess individual constitutional types and severity of disease to select the correct remedy and potency.
• Put cotton socks wet with cold water and wrung out, on the feet. Put wool socks on top of the cotton socks and go to bed. This treatment, while uncomfortable at first, will help disperse a fever and allow for a good night's sleep.
• Wet sheet wrap. To bring down a fever, wrap the child in a cotton sheet that is wet with cold water and wrung out. Next wrap the child in another blanket. Especially in infants, this will disperse a fever and allow a restful sleep.