Childhood Diseases: Roseola
A moderate fever followed followed by a rash and a cranky baby who won’t eat much: these are typical signs of Roseola, a childhood disease most people experience and forget about.
The fever is usually the first sign of infection and can get above 103 degrees. Most doctors will recommend Infant Tylenol to treat it. A few days after the fever your baby will usually get a rash that first shows up on the tummy/chest/back and then spreads out farther the second day. The rash can take 3-7 days to go completely away. Occasionally, a baby will have the disease without the rash–this is much less common, though.
Most babies will get Roseola sometime before they are two years old. It is caused by a virus, but does not usually cause any serious problems. The most dangerous part of the disease is the fever.
If your baby has Roseola, keep him or her at home, well-rested, and well-hydrated. Remember it is contagious, so keep other babies away from the sick one until the rash is gone. Wash your hands frequently.
For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic’s page on Roseola
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