Roseola in Children: Care Instructions

Your Care Instructions

Roseola 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.

Roseola often starts with a sudden high fever that lasts 2 to 3 days, although it can last up to 8 days. The fever ends suddenly, and then a rosy pink rash may appear over your child's whole body. It often starts on the chest and spreads to the face, neck, and arms. The rash is not itchy, and it may last 1 to 2 days. A child with roseola may be fussy and may not want to eat anything, but most children act almost normally.

How can you care for your child at home?

• 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.