Roseola infantum is most commonly caused by which virus?

Roseola infantum is most commonly caused by which virus?

• A. Human herpesvirus-6
• B. Rotavirus
• C. Adenovirus
• D. Parvovirus B19

Answer: (A)

Roseola infantum is caused primarily by human herpesvirus-6. This virus is extremely common in early childhood, and most kids acquire it in the first years of life. The illness starts with a sudden, high fever for several days. When the fever breaks, a diffuse pink-red maculopapular rash appears, usually starting on the trunk and then spreading to the limbs and face. The fever-rash sequence is the hallmark of roseola, which is why HHV-6 is the classic and most frequent cause. While another herpesvirus, HHV-7, can produce a similar picture, HHV-6 remains the most typical culprit. The other viruses listed cause different illnesses—Rotavirus mainly causes vomiting and diarrhea; Adenovirus often causes pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, or gastroenteritis; Parvovirus B19 causes the slapped-cheek rash with a different clinical pattern—so they don’t fit the classic roseola presentation.

Roseola infantum is caused primarily by human herpesvirus-6. This virus is extremely common in early childhood, and most kids acquire it in the first years of life. The illness starts with a sudden, high fever for several days. When the fever breaks, a diffuse pink-red maculopapular rash appears, usually starting on the trunk and then spreading to the limbs and face. The fever-rash sequence is the hallmark of roseola, which is why HHV-6 is the classic and most frequent cause. While another herpesvirus, HHV-7, can produce a similar picture, HHV-6 remains the most typical culprit. The other viruses listed cause different illnesses—Rotavirus mainly causes vomiting and diarrhea; Adenovirus often causes pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, or gastroenteritis; Parvovirus B19 causes the slapped-cheek rash with a different clinical pattern—so they don’t fit the classic roseola presentation.