Sketchy Micro: HHV-6 Roseola

Question 1

What kind of virus is HHV-6?

Answer 1

It is part of the herpesvirus family, so it is an enveloped dsDNA virus.

(Think of the blue tones of the field and the Hermes symbol on the horse.)

Question 2

What cells does HHV-6 infect?

Answer 2

CD4 cells

The squire –who helps the knight, get it? –has four feathers in his hat and has a belt buckle shaped like 4.

Question 3

Roseola causes ____________ disease.

Answer 3

6th (so named because it was the sixth childhood exanthum to be described)

Question 4

Sixth disease primarily affects what demographic?

Answer 4

Children 6 months to 2 years

Question 5

Most of the questions you’ll get about HHV-6 will deal with differentiating it from other viruses that cause fever in young children. What is the classic pattern of roseola that you’re likely to see?

Answer 5

A high fever (up to 104) for four days followed by a macular rash that spares the face

(Think of the boy sweating four drops of sweat and the banner above him that has four suns on it. Also, he’s shaking because HHV-6 can cause febrile seizures.)

Question 6

What kind of rash does HHV-6 cause?

Answer 6

A lacy, erythematous rash that spares the face

(Think of the mother who is wearing a pink lacy dress that is not on her face. Also, she’s surrounded by blue flames to indicate that her fever has cooled.)