roseola infantum
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * A common, typically mild viral illness affecting infants and young children. It is characterized by a high fever that appears suddenly and lasts for several days, followed by the appearance of a distinctive rash as the fever subsides.
Usage
- The term is used in medical contexts to diagnose and describe this specific childhood illness.
- It is often discussed by pediatricians with parents.
- Example: "The pediatrician diagnosed the baby's high fever and subsequent rash as roseola infantum."
Advanced Usage
- The disease is also commonly known by the shorter names roseola or exanthem subitum.
- It is primarily caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and sometimes human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7).
Variants and Related Words
- Roseola: The more common, shortened name for the illness.
- Exanthem subitum: The medical Latin name, meaning "sudden rash."
- Sixth disease: A historical name, as it was once classified as the sixth common childhood rash illness.
Synonyms
- Baby measles (an informal, non-medical term)
- Three-day fever
Key Characteristics (Not a separate section, but integrated for clarity)
- High Fever: The initial symptom is a sudden, high fever (often over 103°F or 39.4°C) that lasts 3-5 days.
- Rash: Once the fever breaks, a pinkish-red rash appears on the torso and sometimes spreads to the neck, face, and limbs. The rash is not itchy and typically fades within hours to a couple of days.
- Other Symptoms: May include mild irritability, runny nose, cough, or swollen glands. Febrile seizures can occur due to the rapid rise in fever.
Noun
- a viral disease of infants and young children; characterized by abrupt high fever and mild sore throat; a few days later there is a faint pinkish rash that lasts for a few hours to a few days