What is it?
Roseola is a very common illness in infants.  About one-third of all infants catch Roseola, usually between 4 months and 2 years of age.  Roseola is caused by a virus, herpesvirus 6.  The illness begins with a high fever, often up to 104 degrees F. (40 degrees C.).  Usually, there are no other signs of infection such as runny nose, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.  The baby may alternate between feeling comfortable and acting fussy.  Occasionally the high fever might cause a convulsion (febrile seizure).  After 3-5 days, the fever resolves on its own and then a skin rash develops.  The rash appears as pink patches over the neck, chest and body and lasts for several days.

How is it Spread?
It is not clear how Roseola is spread.  It may be spread by contact with saliva or mucus from the nose.

When is it Contagious?
It is not clear when Roseola is contagious.  It may be contagious several days before the start of symptoms until the end of the fever.  After exposure to roseola, it can take 5-15 days to develop the illness.

How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
Roseola is diagnosed by the typical symptoms.  Generally, no treatment is needed for roseola.  The child usually gets better on his own with rest, nutrition, and plenty of fluids.  If the baby is uncomfortable with the fever, you may give acetaminophen.  Dressing the baby lightly and giving lukewarm baths can also help to reduce the fever.

Should the Child Stay Home?
A child with roseola does not need to stay home as long as s/he is feeling well enough to participate in the program's activities.

How Can We Limit the Spread?

• Wipe runny noses with a clean tissue, throw the tissue away, then wash your hands.
• Don't share food, pacifiers, bottles, or toothbrushes.  Wash eating utensils and drinking cups well between uses.
• Clean and disinfect mouthed toys and dining tables after each uyse.  Clean and disinfect water fountains daily.

Information provided on this page is not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of medical treatment.  The recommendations do not indicate a course of treatment or medical care.

These are guidelines to develop policies and procedures for preventing, recognizing and managing communicable disease in child care.  If the children in your care have been exposed to this disease, you may copy this exposure notice and hand out to your day care parents.

This Exposure Notice has been copied from "Keeping Kids Healthy, Preventing and Managing Communicable Disease in Child Care", a project of the The Center for Health Training funded by the California Department of Education, Child Development Division.