Definition:

• Age 6 months to 3 years
• Presence of a fine pink rash, mainly on the trunk
• High fever during the preceding 2 to 4 days that cleared within 24 hours before the rash appeared
• Child only mildly ill during the time with fever
• Child acting fine now

Cause:

Roseola is caused by the human herpesvirus-6.

Expected Course:

The rash lasts 1or 2 days, followed by complete recovery. Some children have 3 days of fever without a rash.

Home Care:

No particular treatment is necessary. Roseola is contagious until the rash is gone. Other children of this age who have been with your child may come down with roseola in about 12 days.

CALL OUR OFFICE

IMMEDIATELY if:

• The spots become purple or blood-colored.

DURING REGULAR HOURS if:

• The rash lasts more than 3 days.
• The fever lasts more than 4 days.
• You have other questions or concerns.
  
  

Adapted from Instructions for Pediatric Patients by Barton Schmitt (2nd edition, 1999) with permission from the author.

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