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Evidence summaries

Clinical Features of Human Herpesvirus 6 (Hhv-6) Infection

Primary HHV-6 infection may be symptomatic in more than 90% of the cases, with fever, fussiness and rhinorrhea as common symptoms. Skin manifestations may occur in about 50% of the cases, with typical roseola in 26%. Level of evidence: "C"

A prospective cohort of 277 children (80 percent white) in Seattle was studied from birth through the first 2 years of life by weekly saliva testing for HHV-6 DNA 1. Parents maintained a daily log of symptoms of illness. The cumulative incidence of HHV-6 infection was 40 percent by the age of 12 months and 77 percent by the age of 24 months. 93 percent had symptoms, and 38 percent were seen by a physician. As compared with children who had other illnesses, those with primary HHV-6 infection were more likely to have fever (57%), fussiness (69%), diarrhea (26%), rash (31%), and roseola (23%). Rhinorrhea was common (65%). Fever lasted a median of 3 days. None of the children had seizures.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (few patients) and by limitations in study quality (cohort study).

    References

    • Zerr DM, Meier AS, Selke SS, Frenkel LM, Huang ML, Wald A, Rhoads MP, Nguy L, Bornemann R, Morrow RA, Corey L. A population-based study of primary human herpesvirus 6 infection. N Engl J Med 2005 Feb 24;352(8):768-76. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords