Question:medium

Exanthema subitum is caused by which virus?

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Roseola infantum or sixth disease points to one herpesvirus.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • HHV-6
  • HHV-8
  • Parvovirus
  • Coxsackievirus
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Translate the names. Exanthema subitum equals roseola infantum equals sixth disease, a classic exanthem of infancy.

Step 2: The agent of this sixth disease is human herpesvirus 6, with the clinical signature of three days of high fever that drops just as the trunk rash appears.

Step 3: Cross off the others by their own exanthems. Parvovirus B19 gives fifth disease with slapped cheeks, coxsackievirus gives hand foot and mouth disease, and HHV-8 is the Kaposi sarcoma virus rather than a childhood exanthem.

Step 4: The number that fits the sixth disease is HHV-6.

\[\boxed{\text{HHV-6}}\]
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