Roseola infantum

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with roseolovirus (human herpesvirus type 6 or 7). This disease is characterised by acute fever, followed by macular or maculopapular exanthem in some individuals. Transmission is by inhalation of infected respiratory secretions or direct contact.

**Long definition:** An acute, short-lived, viral disease of infants and young children characterized by a high fever at onset that drops to normal after 3-4 days and the concomitant appearance of a macular or maculopapular rash that appears first on the trunk and then spreads to other areas. It is the sixth of the classical exanthematous diseases and may be caused by human herpes virus types 6 or 7.