Roseola is a very common infection that mainly affects babies and toddlers. It usually causes a high temperature and a rash. You can normally look after your child at home and they should recover within a week.
If your child has roseola, at first they may have:
- a sudden high temperature
- cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose and a cough
- loss of appetite
- swollen eyelids and swollen glands in their neck
These symptoms last 3 to 5 days, before a rash appears.
The rash:
- is made up of pinkish-red spots, patches or bumps
- may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- starts on the chest, tummy and back, before spreading to the face, neck and arms
- is not usually itchy or uncomfortable
- normally fades and disappears within 2 days
You can usually look after your child or baby at home with rest, fluids and painkillers. The infection should pass within a week.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if your child:
- is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher (or you think they have a high temperature)
- is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher (or you think they have a high temperature)
- has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or longer
- is refusing fluids or feeds
- is not their usual self and you're worried
- has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol or ibuprofen
- is showing signs of dehydration – such as nappies that are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying
Call 999 or go to A&E if a baby or young child has any of these symptoms:
- blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – if they have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of their hands and soles of their feet
- a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their normal cry
- not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake