Exanthem in children: causes, clinical presentation, treatment, prevention

Exanthem in children: causes, clinical presentation, treatment, prevention

Exanthema in children: course and treatment

Exanthema is a viral disease that usually affects young children.

The main symptoms are hyperthermia (increased body temperature) and papular rashes all over the body. The disease is diagnosed in 30% of children aged six months to three years.

Reasons

Exanthema (it is also called sudden exanthema) is caused by human herpes viruses type 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7) - the first is more dangerous and is the main causative agent of the disease. Once in the body, viral particles interact with immune complexes, provoking the formation of exanthema. Also, such viruses interact separately with such biological structures:

  • T-lymphocytes;
  • monocytes;
  • macrophages (cells that devour foreign elements that have entered the body);
  • astrocytes;
  • tree cells;
  • epithelial cells.

Exanthema in adults is much less common. In adolescents and adults, HHV-6 is associated with a urinary infection, which is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Such a virus can, without manifesting itself, live in the tissues of the central nervous system, then activate and cause:

  • myelitis – inflammation of the soft tissues of the brain and spinal cord;
  • meningoencephalitis – inflammation of both soft tissues and meninges.

In addition, there is evidence that HHV-6 can cause the development of lymphoproliferative pathologies - those that are manifested by the growth of lymphoid tissue. This means that when an exanthema is detected, one should be wary of the described pathologies that are provoked by this type of virus.

Symptoms of exanthema

The incubation period (the time the pathogen stays in the body without any clinical manifestations) lasts from 5 to 15 days.

Symptoms of exanthema:

  • fever - chills and hyperthermia (increase in body temperature - up to 39.0-40.5 degrees Celsius). The period lasts up to three days;
  • weakness and lethargy;
  • apathy (indifference to everything that happens around);
  • deterioration of appetite, its complete disappearance;
  • nausea.

Rarely, children show such signs of exanthema as diarrhea, stuffy nose, swelling of the eyelids and tissues around the eyes, rash on the soft palate. Runny nose and cough are absent. With exanthema in children, convulsions may develop against the background of the described clinical picture.

On the fourth day, the temperature drops, which creates a false impression of recovery. But almost immediately, a non-contagious rash appears on the child's body in the form of small dots and spots. It disappears after 2-4 days.

Diagnostics

Is exanthema in children easily diagnosed? The symptoms are typical, but the diagnosis is rarely made in a timely manner. While the examination is being carried out, the symptoms of the infection may disappear on their own, without medical intervention. But even if the condition improves, the child should be carefully examined.

A thorough study of the elements of the rash is necessary. These are small pink spots and papules up to 1-5 mm in diameter. The elements of the rash rise slightly above the surface of the skin.

Instrumental methods are used in case of accidental development of exanthema complications:

  • electroencephalography;
  • electrocardiography;
  • ultrasound examination of abdominal organs and some others.

Laboratory diagnosis of exanthema includes the following methods:

  • general blood analysis - a decrease in the number of leukocytes and eosinophils is noted;
  • cultural method (seeding) - detect an active virus in the child's body;
  • immunoenzyme analysis of blood - IgG and IgM immunoglobulins to HHV-6 and HHV-7 are detected in the blood.

Complications

If a child has exanthema, you should watch out for the following complications:

  • acute myocarditis – inflammation of the heart muscle;
  • meningoencephalitis – inflammation of brain tissue and its membranes;
  • reactive hepatitis – inflammation of the liver parenchyma;
  • asthenia - severe weight loss.

After exanthema, children are more likely to get colds.

Treatment of exanthema in children

The contagiousness of the virus is not very high, but sick children must be isolated. There is no specific treatment. Treatment of exanthema with the correct appointments does not take long.

Purpose:

  • at a high temperature - drinking in large quantities;
  • restriction of walks until normalization of body temperature;
  • antipyretics;
  • antiviral drugs;
  • antihistamines.

During the treatment of exanthema in children, regular wet cleaning of the room is important.

Prevention

There is no vaccine to prevent the risk of getting exanthema. The main preventive measures:

  • isolation of children from patients;
  • strengthening of the immune system.

Mothers are most often interested in information about the causes of exanthema in children, symptoms and treatment of the pathology. You will find more information on our website https://dobrobut.com/.

Updated: 03.04.2025
7.4К views
Doctors who advise on this issue:
22experience (y.)
Kuptsova Tetiana Petrivna
Kuptsova Tetiana Petrivna
Pediatric dermatovenereologist
21experience (y.)
Dieieva Olena Oleksandrivna
Dieieva Olena Oleksandrivna
Pediatric dermatovenereologist; Dermatovenereologist
13experience (y.)
Vlasenko Yaroslav Yuriiovych
Vlasenko Yaroslav Yuriiovych
A general practitioner is a family doctor; Physician
17experience (y.)
Selivanova Tetiana Anatoliivna
Selivanova Tetiana Anatoliivna
Dermatovenereologist; Oncodermatology; Pediatric dermatovenereologist
15experience (y.)
Yelova Nina Vitaliivna
Yelova Nina Vitaliivna
Pediatric dermatovenereologist; Dermatovenereologist
23experience (y.)
Utkina Kateryna Volodymyrivna
Utkina Kateryna Volodymyrivna
Dermatovenereologist; Pediatric dermatovenereologist
39experience (y.)
Tsentilo Serhii Vitaliiovych
Tsentilo Serhii Vitaliiovych
Dermatovenereologist; Pediatric dermatovenereologist
11experience (y.)
Kholodov Bohdan Ihorovych
Kholodov Bohdan Ihorovych
A general practitioner is a family doctor; Physician; Ultrasound doctor
17experience (y.)
Kukovenko Iryna Viktorivna
Kukovenko Iryna Viktorivna
Pediatric dermatovenereologist; Dermatovenereologist; Trichologist
22experience (y.)
Boichun Tetiana Oleksandrivna
Boichun Tetiana Oleksandrivna
Dermatovenereologist; Cosmetologist; Pediatric dermatovenereologist; Trichologist
11experience (y.)
Tereshchenko Viktoriia Viktorivna
Tereshchenko Viktoriia Viktorivna
A general practitioner is a family doctor; Pediatrician; Physician
24experience (y.)
Liubchenko Ihor Anatoliiovych
Liubchenko Ihor Anatoliiovych
A general practitioner is a family doctor; Physician

Do you have any questions?

If you would like to find out more information about the service or make an appointment at MS Dobrobut, leave a request and our coordinator will contact you.

By submitting requests you agree to MN «Dobrobut»