Case history 3

The patient is a 12 month old white female with fever to 104o F daily for 4 days. She has been examined twice during this time by her pediatrician, who found no abnormalities on physical exam. A blood culture obtained on the second day of fever was negative for bacterial growth after 2 days. The following morning the fever abruptly resolved. That evening over a few hours time, the child developed an erythematous maculopapular rash over the entire body characteristic of infection with HHV-6. She was alert, playful and taking fluids orally well. The rash faded over the next 2-3 days.

Study questions

1. How is the virus transmitted?  Answer

 2. What is known about the pathogenesis of the infection? Why is this illness often a cause of emergency room visits?  Answer

3. Both case studies 2 and 3 are generally diagnosed clinically. List the distinguishing features of these two infections?  Answer

4. Are there any vaccines available to prevent this disease?   Answer

5. Are there any effective anti-viral agents that act against this virus?  Answer

6. Are there any long term consequences associated with this viral infection?  Answer