Roseola is an illness caused by a strain of the human herpes virus. It is most common in children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. However, it can occur at any age. Roseola is generally a mild illness. It is spread from person to person when an infected person talks, laughs, sneezes or coughs. Children may come down with it 5 to 15 days after they are exposed.
The first symptom of roseola is a high fever of 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 to 40.6 degrees Celsius) that lasts 2 to 4 days. Even with a high fever, the child is only a little sick. The child may have a runny nose and be irritable and tired. When the fever goes down a rash usually appears on the middle of the body and may spread to the neck, arms, and face. The rash causes tiny, pink, flat or slightly raised spots and mild itchiness. The rash seldom lasts for more than 2 days. Some children who have roseola never develop a rash at all. Some children with roseola also have puffy eyes, a mild sore throat that looks and feels swollen, and swollen glands in the neck and behind the ears. Roseola is contagious until the fever and rash are gone.
Most roseola cases can be treated at home and do not require a trip to the health care provider. Home treatment includes rest and giving the child plenty of clear fluids. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control fever. Children under 18 years of age should not take aspirin or products containing salicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) because of the risk of Reye's Syndrome, unless recommended by a health care provider.
Call your health care provider for advice if the rash lasts longer than 3 days, becomes severely itchy, or your child complains of ear pain or is tugging at the ear. Call your provider immediately if your child is confused, extremely drowsy, has a severe headache or a headache with a stiff neck, or the rash has small purple spots.
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File INF4529F.HTM Release 9.0/2006
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