What are the clinical features of roseola infantum (exanthem subitum, sixth disease)?


 
Roseola infantum demonstrating subtle, evanescent, erythematous papular exanthem. (Courtesy of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center teaching files.)
Fig. 24.6 Roseola infantum demonstrating subtle, evanescent, erythematous papular exanthem. (Courtesy of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center teaching files.)
Roseola infantum is a disease that typically presents in infants and very young children as 2 to 5 days of high fever (103° F to 105° F) in an otherwise healthy infant, followed by defervescence and the appearance of pale, small, pink papules that are primarily located on the trunk and head (Fig. 24-6). The exanthem typically lasts from hours to 1 or 2 days. It is most commonly caused by HHV-6 and, less commonly, HHV-7.