What is the sixth disease?
The sixth disease consists of a rash that the child suffers in various areas of the body such as the face.
Despite being a disease that occurs most of the time in young babies, few parents know what infantile roseola or sixth disease consists of. It is a benign infection that often confuses parents a lot by the symptoms they observe in their children. Then we will tell you a little more about the aforementioned sixth disease, its symptoms and the best way to treat it.
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WHAT IS THE SIXTH DISEASE?
The sixth disease is so named because it was discovered just after the five major exanthematic diseases that usually affect children: measles, scarlet fever, rubella, chickenpox, and megaloerythema. The sixth disease consists of a rash that the child suffers in various areas of the skin due to the same virus that causes herpes.
SYMPTOMS OF THE SIXTH DISEASE
The first symptom that the baby suffers is that of a very high fever for about three days. During this time, the child has a feverish state that does not drop below 39, coupled with some nasal congestion and some irritability. After three days, the fever suddenly disappears and a strong rash begins to appear in the area on the chest and on the face. Faced with this, many parents get nervous, especially because of the appearance of the hives. This rash usually lasts a couple of days and hardly bothers the little one.
THE CONTAGION OF THE SIXTH DISEASE
When it comes to identifying the source of the sixth disease contagion, it is believed to be due to another child who already has the disease. The contagion is usually done through respiratory secretions and saliva.
The incubation period is usually between 5 and 15 days before symptoms start. As we have already mentioned above and despite creating some alarm among parents, the sixth disease is not serious or dangerous for the baby . Once the baby is cured of the aforementioned infection, the immune system creates a series of defenses that will prevent the little one from suffering from this skin condition again.
At a fairly high percentage, specifically 90%, the vast majority of babies tend to suffer from this disease. If you observe any of the aforementioned symptoms in your child, it is good to go to the doctor to make sure that it is the sixth disease and not another much more serious condition. Regarding the treatment, it should be noted that none in particular is followed. For the issue of reducing fever, antipyretics are usually administered in addition to not overcoat. Being so small, it is not at all advisable to administer pharmacological products. Luckily, as the days go by, the skin begins to improve in a remarkable way and in a few days, the baby is fully recovered.
When it comes to preventing your baby from suffering from such an infection, it is very important to follow hygiene measures such as frequent hand washing. In any case, as you have been able to read, the sixth disease is less dangerous than it may seem at first. There are many parents who are nervous when they observe how their baby, just a few months old, suffers from a very high fever and numerous eruptions in various areas of the body. Luckily, there is no need to worry excessively since it is a totally benign infection and it does not put the child’s health at risk.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.