{"id":5346,"date":"2019-04-05T05:34:44","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T05:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5346"},"modified":"2021-03-29T21:09:05","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T21:09:05","slug":"14-flu-like-symptoms-of-roseola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-flu-like-symptoms-of-roseola\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Flu-Like Symptoms of Roseola"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It is always difficult to diagnose roseola, due to the fact that the early signs and symptoms bear a striking similarity to those of a handful of other childhood illnesses. Fever with no evidence of the common cold, ear or throat infection could lead your medical professional to wait and see if the very characteristic rash associated roseola appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rash is a fairly good telltale indicator that roseola is present, however, the early signs and symptoms, as stated above, can cause misdiagnosis, and so home care in the early stages in the best, using over the counter medications to remedy the fever, whilst waiting to see if the rash develops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The illness usually passes one week after the onset of the fever and so this is not something to be terribly concerned over. As it is a viral illness, antibiotics are not suitable in treating roseola and in many cases, care provided at home will achieve the best results and with the sufferer feeling most comfortable and at ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fever <\/a>is one of the most commonly associated symptoms with influenza and so it is not at all surprising that this one catches people out when determining between the flu and roseola. The fever that people get with these illnesses is virtually identical, with hot flushes and shivering episodes punctuating a fairly miserable process from onset to conclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can treat a fever with over the counter medicines, and this is recommended to bring someone’s temperature down, however, the fever usually has to run its course before a person starts to feel fully recovered. If the illness turns out to be roseola, the fever will usually last a shorter time than the fever that comes with the flu, which can sometimes last up to a few days at a time. Even though the time frame may be shorter for roseola sufferers in terms of a fever, the ill-feeling and unpleasantness are no better or worse than that which comes with the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Congestion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeling bunged up and blocked is something which is part and parcel of having the flu. The nasal passage feels blocked, the ear canals feel blocked and the whole head can seem to weigh about fifty pounds heavier than normal. This is much the same for the congestion <\/a>caused by roseola. The nose usually becomes clogged up first, with the person constantly feeling the need to blow it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can sometimes seem incredible that someone can produce so much snot and mucus, especially at a time when they\u2019re also feeling pretty dehydrated. Again, there aren\u2019t many differences between the two illnesses when it comes to congestion and the only way of determining one from the other is by playing the waiting game for the roseola rash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blowing your nose regularly, drinking lots of water and maintaining good personal hygiene are good ideas when feeling congested, but if you\u2019re trying to work out what\u2019s causing the congestion at an early stage, you might as well flip a coin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.  Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Headaches <\/a>usually come and go with the flu, and it is much the same story with roseola. Many medical professionals claim that the majority of headaches, with the exception of migraines, brain problems and those caused by impact, are simply caused by dehydration. People who regularly suffer from headaches might not be inclined to suspect they are due to an infection of the flu or roseola, however, if their usual headache remedies, such as rest and drinking lots of water don\u2019t\u2019 serve to expel the headache, then it\u2019s likely that one of the two is on its way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The headaches suffered by fly patients tend to be felt in the sinuses as much as the head, and this is perhaps one subtle difference that patients with roseola may notice. It is a contrasting drop in an ocean of similarities though, and so having a guess might prove just as successful betting wise as trying to make any kind of informed judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.  Nausea\/ Sickness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An unpleasant symptom of many illnesses is the associated feeling of nausea <\/a>and sickness. With the flu, this feeling can linger for days and doesn\u2019t even require the person to have eaten anything. The trouble here is that on an empty stomach, nausea and sickness can cause things like dry heaving and the production of bile and stomach acids instead of regurgitations. It\u2019s an all-around nasty experience, whether you\u2019ve eaten or not and sometimes even keeping water down is a struggle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With roseola, the sickness and nausea can come and go in waves, but it doesn’t normally last as long as it would do with the flu. In both cases, patients report either vomiting regularly or feeling as though they need to vomit. It’s hard to know which one is worse and perhaps it’s a case of the grass always being greener. When you have stuff inside you to vomit, at least you can get it out, but when you’re limited to dry heaving, at least you don’t have to take up residence in toilet bowl alley. No fun at all whichever way you look at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  Dizziness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who regularly suffer from vertigo or a phobia of heights will attest to how scary an episode of dizziness <\/a>can be. Feeling like Alice in Wonderland, people experiencing a dizzy spell can find that their body doesn\u2019t want to follow the mind\u2019s instruction, or that the mind is too busy spinning to give any instructions, and so the limbs develop a mind of their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the crystals in the ear become dislodged, the signals from the brain to the body are interrupted and so the head actually processes movements a little later than they happen. This can have an impact the other way round too, and so staying still or lying down is usually the best bet. The two illnesses, roseola and flu are similar in that an early symptom is dizziness, though there is some school of thought that suggests this comes about from lying down too much. Too much bed rest maybe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.  Sore Throat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A sore throat<\/a> is a common symptom of the flu, almost as well known for this as congestion and fever. With roseola, if a sore throat comes on, it won’t be as severe as a sore throat with the flu, and in many cases, roseola patients won\u2019t develop a sore throat at all. It is the dryness of an atmosphere or environment that can often worsen a sore throat, and so humidifying a room can be a good idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a sore throat is present in either illness, it usually feels pretty much the same but as mentioned previously, a sore throat is almost a given with any case of the flu, whereas it depends from person to person with roseola as to whether a sore throat will come as part of the package. The one good thing here is that with the absence of a sore throat, it\u2019s a lot easier to confirm roseola and rule out the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  Cough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coughing is no fun at all. Whether it\u2019s a dry cough that lingers at the back of the throat, a tickling cough that annoys to the point of insanity, or a disgustingly productive cough<\/a> that brings up more phlegm than you ever thought possible, there isn\u2019t really a type of cough that anyone would favor over the others. With flu and roseola, it is likely that a person will develop a cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It just depends on the diagnosis as to which type of cough they\u2019ll be lumbered with and for how long they can expect to be affected. Roseola coughs are not as productive as flu coughs, as there is not normally as much phlegm in the throat to be brought up. It means that carrying a napkin or hanky everywhere isn\u2019t necessarily essential, but it does mean you\u2019re likely to get on the nerves of literally anyone within 50 yards of you. Maybe that\u2019s your thing though!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We’re not talking about love at first sight chills here or first date chills<\/a>. We’re not even talking about Netflix and chills here, but to be honest, the flu and roseola have that much in common that they\u2019d probably make an ideal couple. They could huddle together under the blanket for these types of chills though, given that patients with either illness can expect to feel a little nippy at times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to be confused with those fake chills, caused by fever, where the body tells you that you’re in the Arctic but your temperature feels like you’re in the Serengeti, these chills are genuine cold chills. When you’re under the weather with either roseola or the flu, you\u2019re likely to feel the cold more than you would if you were well. It\u2019s a trait that patients of both illnesses have, the potential to feel cold in even the warmest, draft proof rooms, and so there aren\u2019t too many differences from one illness to the other where chills are concerned, so chill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Swollen Lymph Nodes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The fluid in the lymphatic system traps pathogens <\/a>in the bloodstream where it passes through lymph glands. The glands act as a filter, removing them from the body. When infected, the glands swell, producing lumps under the neck, and the armpits, as well as the groin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacterial and viral infections cause this swelling, and in most cases, the symptoms will subside within 24 to 72-hours. Doctors don\u2019t treat the swelling with medication, but they may see it as a sign of an underlying health condition. As a result, your doctor may want to run a bloodwork test to check for any abnormalities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roseola causes congestion, which may lead to the production of mucus and other flu-like symptoms that include swelling of the lymph glands. In most cases, the lymph glands to swell to the size of peas or kidney beans. If they start to hurt, try a warm compress like a green tea bag for relief.
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10. Swollen Eyelids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Children with roseola symptoms may start to develop swelling in the eyelids. This inflammation <\/a>typically begins after 24-hours of first showing signs of the infection but can occur sooner, especially if the child is exhibiting intense sinus symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen eyelids typically occur when a bacterial infection, such as roseola, causes inflammation of the portions of skin around the eye, as well as the eyelid. The official medical term for this bacterial or viral-related inflammation is, \u201cperiorbital cellulitis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unless the patient is showing severe signs of an allergic reaction, the doctor will usually opt to treat the inflammation with eye drops. Brands like such as \u201cnatural tears,\u201d that provide a hydrating effect, are a favorite option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of swollen eyelids clear up on their own over the course of a few days as the infection clears. However, should the symptoms persist after the patient heals, the disease may have spread or developed into \u201corbital cellulitis,\u201d requiring immediate medical treatment?
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11. Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The initial presentation of roseola in an infected individual includes flu-like symptoms and the development of a fever. At this stage, many people make the mistake of confusing roseola as the flu. However, after the fever breaks, the patient develops a rash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since a rash <\/a>is not associated with flu symptoms, the patient may seek medical treatment for a diagnosis. The roseola rash looks like small blotches of pink and white spots or blemishes in the skin. The outbreak differs in its effect from person to person, and some may have a mild, red flat rash, while others may have a rash with translucent bumps appearing on the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roseola rash isn\u2019t painful and presents no symptoms of itching or discomfort. Most patients find that it starts to disappear anywhere from a few hours to a few days after showing up. Doctors don\u2019t treat the rash and let it subside by itself.
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12. Seizures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the brain detects the invading roseola virus, it signals for the production of pyrogens proteins <\/a>to attach to nerve endings, driving up the body\u2019s core temperature. As a result, the infected child starts to develop a fever. The roseola fever is intense, reaching temperatures of up to 105.0\u00b0F, and the condition can persist for up to three to five days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this time, parents need to keep a close eye on their child and monitor their temperature throughout the duration of the infection \u2013 at least every three hours. Should the child begin to cry more than usual, it may be a sign that the fever is getting into the danger zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Babies have yet to finish forming their immune system, making them vulnerable to infection. High fever can result in the development of a \u201cfebrile seizure.\u201d While this is a rare occurrence, should it occur \u2013 the child risks brain damage or even death.
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13. Irritability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Roseola produces a wide range of flu-like symptoms in infected children, including irritability<\/a>. Infants have yet to develop the ability to speak, and it\u2019s hard for them to let their parents known what\u2019s wrong with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your baby experiences an infection that produces discomfort and pain symptoms, they\u2019ll let you know by crying or squealing to get your attention. Your baby thinks that you are the source of all its joy and its problems. Therefore, you can expect them to loudly complain when they start to feel the onset of roseola infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after comforting your child, they may continue with the crying and complaining. While this is normal, their hysteria should die down at some point, and they may then start to feel sleepy. The child\u2019s irritability will begin to subside after the infection begins to wane. However, should the fever symptoms persist past 5-days, consult with your doctor.
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14. Risk Factors and Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While in the uterus, babies receive antibodies from their mothers. These antibodies stick around for a few months after birth to protect the infant from pathogens <\/a>while their immune system starts to form. However, as these antibodies begin to drop off at around 9-months, the baby is exposed to infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, most infants catch roseola anywhere between 6 to 15-months old on average. Risk factors for contracting roseola include exposure to other babies with the virus, as well as being in public spaces where germs are readily transferred, such as gyms and public bathrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roseola infection is of significant concern in younger infants. Children under 6-months old have yet to develop the immune system necessary, to summon a robust immune response and get rid of the infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors with weak immune systems are at risk of developing roseola infection as well. Further complications in seniors include pneumonia and encephalitis \u2014 a life-threatening swelling of the brain.
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