Roseola

Baby's First Year Milestones Slideshow

Medical Author: John Mersch, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is roseola?
• What virus causes roseola?
• How is roseola spread?
• What are the first signs and symptoms of roseola?
• How high can the fever go?
• How should the fever be treated?
• Can the fever cause a seizure?
• Is a seizure due to fever dangerous?
• What should I do if my child with roseola has a seizure?
• Is there a rash with roseola?
• What is most remarkable characteristic of roseola?
• What is the course of the disease?
• Are there any complications of roseola?
• Should I take my child to the doctor with roseola?
• When can the child return to child care?
• Are there other names for roseola?
• Roseola At A Glance
• Related roseola articles:
  Roseola - on WebMD
• Patient Discussions: Roseola - Describe Your Experience

Featured patient discussions on roseola "Our daughter is 23-months-old and recently caught roseola. We had no idea she was even sick. She developed a high fever and had a febrile seizure. She had strep tests and urinary tests done, and they came back negative. That scared us even more because we had no idea what was causing her high fever, seizure, sluggishness, loss of appetite, and sleepiness. The development of a rash was the sign that lead the doctor to conclude roseola. This entire event was very frightening to everyone. We caution parents to check their children frequently, as the spike in fever with this disease happens quickly." Read all roseola comments » Top Searched Roseola Terms: human herpesvirus 6, fever, rash, exanthem subitum, roseola infantilis Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is roseola?

Roseola is a mild viral illness of sudden onset and short duration that most commonly affects young children. Roseola is most common in children 6 to 24 months of age. The average age is around 9 months. Less frequently, older children, teens, and adults may be infected.

What virus causes roseola?

Roseola is primarily caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and less commonly by human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7).

How is roseola spread?

Roseola is spread from person to person, most likely by transfer of oral secretions. Roseola is not very contagious. The incubation period between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is nine to 10 days.

What are the first signs and symptoms of roseola?

The signs and symptoms of HHV-6 (or HHV-7) infection vary depending upon the age of the patient. Infants and toddlers routinely will develop sudden symptoms with a sudden high fever that lasts for three to five days, irritability, bulging "soft spot" on the head (fontanel), swollen glands in the front or back of the neck, runny nose, puffy eyelids (due to swelling with fluid), and mild diarrhea. Within 12-24 hours of the fever breaking, a rash rapidly appears. Older children who develop HHV-6 (or HHV-7) infection are more likely to have an illness characterized by several days of high fever and possibly a runny nose and/or diarrhea. Older children less commonly develop a rash as the fever abates.

How high can the fever go?

The fever can be quite high. The fever averages 103.5 F (39.7 C) but it can go up as high as 103-106 F (39.4-41.2 C).

How should the fever be treated?

If the fever is not causing the child to be uncomfortable, the fever need not be treated. It is not necessary to awaken the child to treat a fever unless instructed to do so by a health-care practitioner.

If you wish to treat the fever, acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) can be used to lower a fever. Aspirin should never be used for fever in children or adolescents.

A child with a fever should be kept comfortable and not be overdressed. Overdressing can cause the temperature to go higher. Bathing with tepid water (85 F or 29.5 C) may help bring down a fever. Never sponge a child (or an adult) with alcohol; the alcohol fumes may be inhaled causing many problems. If a child develops shivering during the bath, the temperature of the bath water should be raised.

Roseola - Describe Your Experience

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