Roseola in Babies: Fever Then Rash | Parenting Hub
Roseola starts with 3 days of high fever, then a pink rash appears as the fever breaks. Here's what to expect and when to worry.
Roseola is a classic toddler illness — 3 days of high fever, then a pink rash appears just as the fever breaks. Once the rash is there, baby is usually feeling better.
The classic pattern
- Sudden high fever (often 39–40°C) for 3–5 days, otherwise relatively well
- Fever then drops
- Within 12–24 hours of fever breaking — pink, lacy, flat rash on the trunk, sometimes spreading to neck and limbs
- Rash fades in 1–2 days; baby is well by then
Care
- Plenty of fluids
- Light clothing, cool room
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort (age-appropriate)
- No specific treatment — it's a virus (HHV-6)
Febrile seizure
Roseola is one of the more common causes of a first febrile seizure (because the fever is high and sudden). See our febrile seizure article.
When to seek help
- Under 3 months with fever — ED today
- Rash that doesn't fade under glass — call 000 (meningococcal)
- Floppy, drowsy or unresponsive
- Seizure lasting >5 minutes — 000
Common questions
Is it contagious?
Yes, mildly — spreads via saliva. Keep home while feverish. Once the rash appears (and baby is well), they're not very infectious.