Common Illnesses
Roseola (Sixth Disease)
Roseola is common viral illness in babies 6 months to 2 years. Classic pattern: High fever (103-105°F) for 3-5 days with no other symptoms, then fever breaks and pink/red spotty rash appears.
Caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Baby seems otherwise well despite high fever. Once rash appears (on trunk, spreading to arms/neck/face), baby is feeling better and fever is gone.
Scares parents because high fever appears with no obvious cause. But once you see the characteristic rash after fever breaks, diagnosis is clear.
What to Do
- Manage fever: Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if 6+ months) as doctor recommends
- Keep baby comfortable and hydrated - offer fluids frequently
- Dress baby lightly - don't bundle up when feverish (makes fever worse)
- Expect fever to be high (103-105°F) but baby acts fairly well
- Watch for febrile seizure (convulsion with high fever) - scary but usually harmless
- After 3-5 days: Fever will break and rash appears (this confirms roseola)
- Rash doesn't itch or hurt - no treatment needed, fades in 1-2 days
- Baby is contagious during fever stage (before rash) - keep home from daycare
- Once rash appears, baby is no longer contagious and feels much better
- Roseola gives lifelong immunity - baby won't get it again
When to call a doctor
Call doctor immediately if baby under 6 months has high fever, fever lasts >7 days, baby has febrile seizure, seems very ill or lethargic, or develops breathing problems. For roseola itself, call for guidance but it usually resolves on its own.