Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a common virus that causesroseolain children.
HHV-6 doesn’t always cause symptoms.
This article discusses HHV-6.
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They sometimes cause symptoms when you first become infected, though they often are asymptomatic.
It is also possible for a human herpesvirus to reactivate at some point down the road.
It can quickly spread through daycare centers and is most common between ages 6 and 24 months.
However, scientists now classify them as entirely separate from each other.
HHV-6Ais the less common variant that is acquired in adulthood.
HHV-6B is found in the vast majority of the population.
Pregnancy and HHV-6
HHV-6A and HHV-6B can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy.
Daycares can slow the spread of HHV-6 by frequently cleaning common surfaces (like doorknobs) and disinfecting toys.
There is no approved vaccine to prevent HHV-6 infection, though scientists are working on it.
HHV-6A
HHV-6A does not usually cause symptoms, and most people do not know they are infected.
Research shows HHV-6A often evades the immune system.
As a result, it can move through the body undetected and invade different organs.
However, research on the long-term effects of HHV-6A is still limited.
At this point, virologists can’t say with certainty that HHV-6A directly causes many of these conditions.
While considerable evidence links it to some illnesses, other ties are less certain.
However, it is unclear whether the virus causes cancer or is just one of many contributing factors.
The rash has many small pink spots or patches, sometimes inside a white ring.
It usually begins on the torso and spreads to the limbs and possibly the face.
It can disappear in a few hours or hang around for several days.
Treatment is typically focused on alleviating fever and ensuring plenty of bed rest.
Symptoms of epilepsy can vary and may involve any of the processes coordinated by the brain.
Epilepsy is chronic, meaning that it requireslong-term treatmentandmanagement.
Common symptoms of epilepsy include:
Epilepsy is a relatively rare complication of HHV-6B infections.
It is more common in children who had febrile seizures with the infection.
Symptoms of epilepsy from HHV-6B can appear up to 18 months after the initial infection.
Diagnosing HHV-6
HHV-6B infections in infants and children are often easy to diagnose.
Roseola has distinct symptoms that pediatricians can quickly identify after ruling out other possible causes of rash and fever.
Most HHV-6 infections are left undiagnosed in otherwise healthy adults.
To detect that, the specific tissues must be tested.
HHV-6 Treatment
There is no universal treatment for HHV-6A or HHV-6B infections.
Treatment consists mostly of managing symptoms.
A proper diagnosis is the first step toward finding the treatments that help you feel better.
Many illnesses linked to HHV-6 are chronic, so you may have to learn to manage them.
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