BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRoseolaExanthem subitum; Sixth diseaseRoseola is a viral infection that commonly affects infants and young children. It involves a pinkish-red skin rash and high fever. Causes Roseola is common in children ages 3 months to 4 years, and most common in those ages 6 months to 1 year.It is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), although similar syndromes are possible with other viruses. Symptoms The time between becoming infected and the beginning of symptoms (incubation period) is 5 to 15 days.The first symptoms include:Eye redness Irritability Runny nose Sore throat High fever, that comes on quickly and may be as high as 105°F (40.5°C) and can last 3 to 7 days About 2 to 4 days after becoming sick, the child's fever lowers and a rash appears. This rash most often:Starts on the middle of the body and spreads to the arms, legs, neck, and face Is pink or rose-colored Has small sores that are slightly raised The rash lasts from a few hours to 2 to 3 days. It usually does not itch. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history. The child may have swollen lymph nodes in the neck or back of the scalp. Treatment There is no specific treatment for roseola. The disease most often gets better on its own without complications.Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and cool sponge baths can help reduce the fever. Some children may have seizures when they get a high fever. If this occurs, call your provider or go to the closest emergency room. Possible Complications Complications may include: Aseptic meningitis (rare) MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Encephalitis (rare) EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Febrile seizureFebrile seizureA febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child triggered by a fever.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your child:Has a fever that does not go down with the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) and a cool bath Continues to appear very sick Is irritable or seems extremely tired Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has convulsions. Prevention Careful handwashing can help prevent the spread of the viruses that cause roseola.Open ReferencesReferencesCherry J. Roseola infantum (exanthem subitum). In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 59.Tesini BL, Caserta MT. Roseola (human herpesviruses 6 and 7). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 283.AllVideoImagesTogRoseola - illustration Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children that is characterized by high fever followed by a rash that appears on trunk, limbs, neck and face.RoseolaillustrationTemperature measurement - illustration A thermometer is a useful aid used to measure body temperature.Temperature measurementillustrationRoseola - illustration Roseola is an acute disease of infants and young children that is characterized by high fever followed by a rash that appears on trunk, limbs, neck and face.RoseolaillustrationTemperature measurement - illustration A thermometer is a useful aid used to measure body temperature.Temperature measurementillustrationRelated Information Rashes(Symptoms)Febrile seizures(Condition) Review Date: 8/5/2023 Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. 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RoseolaExanthem subitum; Sixth diseaseRoseola is a viral infection that commonly affects infants and young children. It involves a pinkish-red skin rash and high fever. Causes Roseola is common in children ages 3 months to 4 years, and most common in those ages 6 months to 1 year.It is caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), although similar syndromes are possible with other viruses. Symptoms The time between becoming infected and the beginning of symptoms (incubation period) is 5 to 15 days.The first symptoms include:Eye redness Irritability Runny nose Sore throat High fever, that comes on quickly and may be as high as 105°F (40.5°C) and can last 3 to 7 days About 2 to 4 days after becoming sick, the child's fever lowers and a rash appears. This rash most often:Starts on the middle of the body and spreads to the arms, legs, neck, and face Is pink or rose-colored Has small sores that are slightly raised The rash lasts from a few hours to 2 to 3 days. It usually does not itch. Exams and Tests Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the child's medical history. The child may have swollen lymph nodes in the neck or back of the scalp. Treatment There is no specific treatment for roseola. The disease most often gets better on its own without complications.Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and cool sponge baths can help reduce the fever. Some children may have seizures when they get a high fever. If this occurs, call your provider or go to the closest emergency room. Possible Complications Complications may include: Aseptic meningitis (rare) MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Encephalitis (rare) EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Febrile seizureFebrile seizureA febrile seizure is a convulsion in a child triggered by a fever.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if your child:Has a fever that does not go down with the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) and a cool bath Continues to appear very sick Is irritable or seems extremely tired Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if your child has convulsions. Prevention Careful handwashing can help prevent the spread of the viruses that cause roseola.Open ReferencesReferencesCherry J. Roseola infantum (exanthem subitum). In: Cherry JD, Harrison GJ, Kaplan SL, Steinbach WJ, Hotez PJ, eds. Feigin and Cherry's Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 59.Tesini BL, Caserta MT. Roseola (human herpesviruses 6 and 7). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 283.