What is the herpes virus type 6?

Human herpes virus type 6, HHV-6 for short, is a herpes virus of the beta-herpesviruses. It is the causative agent for the development of three-day fever. In 1986, the virus was discovered by the American virologist Robert Gallo. Three-day fever caused by herpes viruses Type 6 often occurs in babies or small children between the sixth month of life and the second year of life. By the age of three, almost all children have come into contact with the herpes virus type 6. Here there is no seasonality. The virus is present all year round.

How contagious is herpes virus type 6?

The herpes virus type 6 is transmitted from person to person via saliva . This is what makes HHV-6 so contagious. The viruses are spread rapidly in the air we breathe through talking, coughing and sneezing. Even healthy children or adults can be considered carriers of the virus if they have come into contact with HHV-6. Only in rare cases is the virus passed on via organ transplants, blood transfusions or breast milk.

What is the incubation period of herpes virus type 6 and how long is one contagious?

The period between infection and the first signs of illness is about five to fifteen days. In some cases, 17 days pass before the first symptoms become noticeable. As soon as the fever has disappeared and the skin rash is also no longer present, a child is no longer considered contagious.

What are the symptoms of herpes virus type 6?

The herpes virus type 6 is the cause of the 3-day fever. Here, a sudden fever of up to over 41 degrees is given as the first symptom. The fever remains, as the name suggests, for a maximum of three days. After that, it goes down again quickly. In a few cases it also lasts for about five days. Many children develop what is called a febrile convulsion because of the rapidly rising fever. In this , the child faints and starts twitching with the legs and arms .

In addition, about a quarter of the affected children develop a fine spotted rash. This appears when the fever drops and spreads over the whole body. However, the neck and the trunk of the body are most affected. The spots can also become larger if they join together. As the disease progresses, the rash often spreads to affect arms and legs. Mucous membranes and the palate may also be involved. After a maximum of two days, the rash disappears as quickly as it came.

Other accompanying symptoms may include:

• Reddened eardrums,
• Swelling of the eyelids,
• Cough,
• Intestinal inflammation,
• Protrusion of the fontanelle in the infant,
• Swelling of the cervical lymph nodes.

How is herpes virus type 6 diagnosed?

So that the doctor can determine whether an infection with herpes virus type 6 is present, he will first take the child's medical history. He will ask the following questions:

• When and how quickly did the fever occur?
• When was the temperature last taken and how high was the fever?
• How long has the rash been there?
• Is the rash itchy, i.e. does the child scratch?
• Did a febrile convulsion occur? If so, was the child conscious? Describe the incident as precisely as possible.

If a typical course of three-day fever is present, the doctor can usually already make the diagnosis thanks to the symptoms. In the case of atypical courses, the doctor must examine the blood of the affected child to be able to rule out other illnesses. During the fever, the white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood count are increased. As soon as the temperature returns to normal, leukocytes also show up again. However, the specific antibody test can be used to diagnose the herpes virus type 6 even more accurately. This is done by detecting in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid or saliva with the help of a PCR test. If a febrile convulsion has occurred, it may be necessary to examine the nerve fluid from the spinal canal. This is the only way to rule out meningitis .

How is herpes virus type 6 treated?

At , an infection with herpes virus type 6 can be treated with a purely symptomatic therapy. Since it is a virus, no antibiotic would help. If a fever of over 38.5 degrees develops, calf and stomach compresses should be applied to the child. Also dressing the child in less or only light clothing can help reduce the fever. Paracetamol suppositories can be given to the child after consultation with the paediatrician. It is essential to make sure that the child drinks enough fluids. This is the only way to prevent dehydration. If a febrile convulsion occurs, the child should be placed on the floor. This way it can breathe unhindered and will not hurt itself. After the incident, a doctor should be called without fail, even if the child has recovered . In certain cases, the doctor recommends that an inpatient examination and treatment is necessary.

What is the prognosis for herpes virus type 6?

Overall, the prognosis for three-day fever, i.e. infection with the herpes virus type 6, is very good. Most children recover quickly from the infection as soon as the fever subsides. For some, an infection with herpes virus type 6 also goes completely unnoticed. Simply for the reason that no symptoms show up. A febrile seizure looks dangerous at first , but does not leave any damage to the child. Febrile seizures have nothing to do with epilepsy. Almost all children have experienced at least once by the end of their second year. Complications practically never occur with an infection with the herpesvirus type 6.

Is there an obligation to report herpesvirus type 6?

According to the Infection Protection Act, there is no obligation to report an infection with herpesvirus type 6. However, affected children should not visit community facilities such as kindergartens and crèches as long as they are in the acute phase of the disease .