ROSEOLA

What is it?

Roseola is a common viral infection that usually affects babies and toddlers, causing a fever and a spotty rash for a few days. Roseola tends to be mild and you can look after your child at home. They’ll usually recover in a week.

What are the symptoms? Roseola doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. Your child may have a sudden high temperature (fever) of 38C or above, a sore throat, runny nose, cough, mild diarrhoea, loss of appetite and swollen eyelids and swollen glands in the neck.

These symptoms typically last three to five days, at which point a rash often then appears.

The rash normally fades and disappears within two days.

What you can do at home

■ Let your child rest if they feel unwell but there’s no need to force them to rest if they seem well enough to carry on with activities.

■ Keep them hydrated by giving them plenty of water or squash to drink – if you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby, keep feeding them regularly.

■ Keep them cool if their room is warm – for example, use a lightweight sheet on their bed rather than a heavy duvet.

■ Give them children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen if they have a fever.

Roseola spreads in a similar way to the common cold – through coughs and sneezes, and by touching contaminated objects or surfaces.

However, it doesn’t spread very easily and you don’t need to keep your child away from nursery or school if they’re feeling well enough to attend. If they’re unwell, keep them at home until they feel better, although there’s no need to wait until the last spot disappears.