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What is Roseola?
- A viral infection, caused most often by Human Herpesvirus Type 6.
- Formal name: Roseola Infantum
- Also referred to as Sixth Disease
- A virus that usually infects 6- to 24-month-olds.
What are the symptoms of Roseola?
- A fever that usually lasts for three days to five days and can be high (102-105).
- The fever can climb quickly, which may cause some children to have mild seizures (10 to 15% of children will). These are called febrile seizures.
- A rash that appears after the fever is gone.
- The rash usually starts on the neck, chest, and belly and then may spread to the arms and legs.
- The rash is usually small pink or reddish dots.
- The rash may spread for 1 to 2 days, or last for only a few hours.
- The rash may be harder to see if your child has darker skin.
- Usually, the rash is not bothersome to your child.
- Your child may have diarrhea, runny nose, cough, congestion.
- Your child’s upper eyelids may look a little swollen.
- Your child might eat less than usual and seem more tired than usual.
- Your child may have some larger lymph nodes that you can feel in their neck or behind the ears.
How can I prevent my child from getting Roseola?
- Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
- Be sure to clean high touch surfaces often.
- Limit any exposure to sick contacts.
What is the treatment for Roseola?
- There is no medication to treat this. Antibiotics are not helpful since it is a viral infection.
- Be sure to provide lots of fluids for your child.
- Tylenol and ibuprofen (for 6 months and older) can be given for fever and comfort.
- Allow your child to rest when tired.
- Keep your child’s skin moisturized.
- Dress your child in light clothing while having a fever.
- Room temperature baths and cool compresses may also comfort your child.
When to call your child’s provider:
- You think your child needs to be seen.
- You are concerned that your child is not consuming enough fluids.
- Your child’s fever lasts for five days.
- Your child is getting worse.
- Your child has a seizure.
- Your child is having trouble breathing.
- There is a change in the way the rash looks.
This publication was adapted from information within American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education Handouts, UpToDate Guidelines and Healthychildren.org
Reviewed by: TT D.O, AR D.O. | 11/2023