Roseola in Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

5 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

Roseola in pregnancy

Once in a while, a pregnant woman gets exposed to some illness that is exceptionally common among children (childhood disease) and very rare among the grown-ups. One of them is Roseola in pregnancy.

What is Roseola?

Roseola (Roseola infantum) is a mild infection that more often strikes babies by the age of two. Roseola is common to the point that most kids have been infected with Roseola when they enter kindergarten and Roseola in pregnancy also. A virus called human herpesvirus – 6 (HHV-6) is responsible for Roseola.

What Are the Symptoms of Roseola in Kids?

Roseola is characterized by high fever (103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) that generally lasts for three to five days. Fever is usually following by rashes on the face, upper arm, and legs. The rashes are seen more in the neck and trunk. The temperature usually resolves by itself, and the rashes will disappear within a few hours to a few days after it appears. When a child gets infected by the virus, he develops antibodies against the virus that lasts a lifetime providing long-standing immunity against Roseola.

Nearly most of the children can get infected with Roseola. Some children get infected but do not develop the rash. In such cases, the parents can be oblivious to the fact that the child infects with HHV–6, and the fever associated with Roseola will misinterpret as a normal fever.

How Does Roseola Spread?

Roseola is spread through contact or even sharing the same room with the infected person as the respiratory secretion carries the virus. Through sneeze and cough, the virus becomes airborne (transported by air).

Roseola usually is harmless. Once in a while, a high fever can bring about issues (like seizures or febrile convulsions in babies) caused due to a spike in the body temperature. Treatment of Roseola incorporates bed rest, liquids, and solutions to diminish fever.

How Does Roseola Affect Adults?

Different studies show that somewhere around 81% and 97% of grown-ups had developed antibodies to this infection by the time they become four years old as most of the people get this childhood infection by that age. But there are chances that an adult gets this infection when exposed to the virus, especially if the immune system is weak or if the roseola virus hasn’t infected him or her during childhood.

What Symptoms Are Caused by Roseola in Adults?

Pregnant woman

The symptoms of Roseola in adults differ from that of the children. The symptoms start only after a couple of weeks. Some of the symptoms are:

  • High temperature
  • Loss of desire to eat
  • After the fever abates, rashes appear first at torso and scan spread to neck, face, arms, and legs
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • A sore throat and runny nose

How Does Get Roseola in Pregnancy?

A pregnant woman is exposed to viruses all the time. Roseola in pregnancy is a period when the immune system restrain, which makes pregnant women more susceptible to infections. If she exposes to the HHV-6 virus, there are chances (which can’t overlook) that the mother gets the infection. However, if she has had Roseola in her childhood, she would be immune and not get it again. It is not common, and most medical literature does not list Roseola in pregnancy as a potential congenital pregnancy infection. In this way, the Roseola in pregnancy time. 

Is it Harmful to Pregnancy Women?

Usually, Pregnant women get exposed to the virus all the time. By that time, pregnant women, mostly carry the antibody, which means they had the disease already, so they are immune and can’t get it back again.

Roseola has affected the fetus during pregnancy has very few chances, so the risk to the fetus after exposure is generally very low chances, especially when the vast majority of women are immune.

How is Roseola in Pregnancy Treated?

The treatment of Roseola in pregnancy includes common measures taken to bring down a fever which provides for:

  • Take plenty of fluids.
  • Eat warm and fresh food.
  • Put the wet cloth in the forehead.
  • Take plenty of rest.
  • If needed, medicine to bring down the temperature can take after consulting your doctor.

Can Roseola in Pregnancy Cause Harm to The Pregnant Woman or the Baby?

Even though no proof being exposing to Roseola in pregnancy has any negative impact on the mother or child, it can still say that there is some probable risk to the developing fetus.

If the mother has been exposing to this virus during her childhood or adolescent period, then the subsequent exposure during pregnancy cannot cause any issues. A study shows that the HHV-6 virus finds in the cervix of 20% of the healthy women (during normal delivery). It indicates that the infection would not affect pregnancy adversely.

Be that as it may, if a pregnant woman is exposing to the virus for the first time, she is likely to have some pregnancy issues:

  • The HHV-6 virus believes in increasing the risk of miscarriage during the first trimester.
  • If the attack of the virus occurs in the later stage of pregnancy, there is a remote but an inevitable chance that the baby could have some congenital disabilities.

When to Visit a Doctor or Call Your Baby’s Doctor?

If below mention symptoms take place. Call your child’s doctor:

  • Your kid has a high fever of more than 103 F (39.4 C).
  • The rash won’t increase after three days.
  • Your kid has Roseola, and the high fever lasts more than seven days.

What Should Precautionary Measures be Taken to Avoid Roseola During Pregnancy?

To be on the safer side, a pregnant woman should try to avoid the exposure to the virus, especially if not exposed to it in her childhood:

  • Must keep a distance from children and grownups who infects with this virus.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if the infection of HHV-6 is suspected.
  • All members of the house (if one of the members is infected) ought to wash their hands habitually to avoid the spread of the infection to the pregnant woman.

Such safety oriented measures will unquestionably bring down the risk of the impact connected with this disease.

FAQ’s

1. Am I at a Risk of Getting Roseola When am Pregnant?

Pregnancy weakens the immunity. If you have not suffered from Roseola as a child, you can get infected. This is not very common though.

2. If I Get Roseola When Pregnant, Will My Baby Get it Too?

No, not necessarily. The mother can be infected without transferring it to the baby. Fetus getting infected is very unlikely.

3. Can I be Infected With Roseola From My Toddler?

Yes, it is possible. Your immunity is weak when pregnant. Since you will be in close contact with your infected child, you might also be infected.

4. Can I Take Medicines for Roseola During Pregnancy?

Only if your doctor prescribes. Medicines are generally avoided during pregnancy. Strong medicines can impact the baby.

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Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

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