Introduction

Roseola is a common viral infection that usually affects babies and toddlers. It typically causes a fever and a spotty rashfor afew days. While the rash may look alarming, roseolatends tobemild and you can normally look after your child at home. They'll usuallyrecover within a week. Roseolacan also affect older children and adults, but this is uncommon becausemost children will have been infected by the time theystart nursery and it'srare to get it more than once. Roseola is also sometimes called"roseola infantum" or "sixth disease". This page covers: Symptoms How to treat it When to call your GP When to get emergency help How to stop itspreading