### What is Roseola? Roseola, also known as “sixth disease,” is a common viral infection in children under the age of 2. It is caused by human herpesvirus 6 or sometimes human herpesvirus 7. ### Symptoms - **Incubation Period:** After contracting the virus, it may take 5-15 days for symptoms to appear. - **High Fever:** The first noticeable symptom is a sudden, high fever (over 103°F) that lasts for 3-7 days. - **Rash:** Once the fever subsides, a raised, spotty, reddish rash may appear, mainly on the neck and trunk. This rash doesn’t itch and may last a few hours to a few days. - **Other Symptoms:** Your child might also experience diarrhea, cough, and swollen eyelids. They may be restless or irritable. ### Diagnosis and Treatment - **Diagnosis:** Doctors usually diagnose roseola based on the symptoms. Lab tests are rarely needed. - **Treatment:** Since roseola is caused by a virus, antibiotics are ineffective. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. For high fever, doctors may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen. ### Contagion and Precautions - **Contagious:** Roseola is contagious. Keep your child away from others until the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours. ### Complications - **Seizures:** In rare cases, a very high fever may cause seizures. If this happens, call 911 immediately. Most seizures in young children are short and not harmful.