Roseola - A Common Cause Of Fever With A Rash

     A child’s fever is always of concern to parents. Many diseases that cause fever can also cause a rash. Some of these diseases are very serious (meningitis) and some are not. Diagnosing what disease is causing the fever and rash involves considering other symptoms the child has along with the timing and appearance of the rash.

     One very common cause of fever and rash in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years is called roseola, or, more correctly, roseola infantum. This disease is not a serious illness, but, because it is so common, parents should be aware of it.

     Roseola occurs most often in spring and fall. With roseola, the child develops a fever – sometimes a high fever above 103 F – but the child feels otherwise well, maintains normal activity level, continues to eat well and has no other symptoms. Physical examination will be normal. Because the fever in roseola often lasts longer than the usual 3 days (see previous articles on fever) the child's doctor may do some tests looking for a source of infection, but these tests will be negative.

   The diagnosis of roseola is revealed when, as the fever goes away, a rash develops. The rash consists of pink, small blotches that are flat or only slightly raised. The rash occurs mostly on the back and chest and less on the face and extremities. As the fever disappears, the rash can spread or become more red but it does not itch, burn or cause any dryness or irritation of the skin. The rash then goes away in a matter of days without any complications.

     In many of the more serious illnesses involving fever associated with a rash, the rash occurs at the same time that the child has the fever. Roseloa is one of the very few illnesses in which the rash develops when the fever begins to resolve.

     The only treatment for roseola is to give fever medication to make the child more comfortable.