What is roseola?
Roseola (roseola infantum) is a mild illness caused by a virus. It is generally harmless and is most common in children 6 months to 2 years of age. It is rare after age 4.
What are the symptoms of roseola?
Roseola often starts with a sudden high fever of 103 °F (39.4 °C) or higher that can last 2 to 3 days or longer. After the fever ends, a rosy-pink non-itchy rash may appear on the trunk, neck, and arms. It can last 1 to 2 days. Rarely, a sore throat, stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
A child with roseola may be fussy or irritable and eat less but usually acts normally. Sudden high fevers can sometimes cause a fever seizure, but roseola is most often a harmless infection.
How is roseola diagnosed?
Roseola is diagnosed through a medical history and physical exam. The doctor often knows it's roseola if your child had a fever and now has a distinct rash.
How is roseola treated?
The roseola fever can be managed with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you give medicine to your baby, follow your doctor's advice about what amount to give. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 years of age because of the risk of Reye syndrome.
The roseola rash will go away without medical treatment.
How can you care for your child who has roseola?
- Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, or fussiness. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. For children 6 months and older, read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
- Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
- If your child is under age 2 or weighs less than 24 pounds, follow your doctor's advice about the amount of medicine to give your child.
- Do not put medicine on your child's rash. It will go away on its own.
Roseola in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has a seizure.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child's rash gets worse.
- Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the rash.
- Pus draining from the rash.
- A fever.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child's rash lasts longer than 4 weeks or is not clearing up as expected.
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