Causes of roseola in infants

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on July 01, 2025
00:00
00:00

Roseola infantum, also known as baby rose rash, is a common acute exanthematous infectious disease in infants and young children aged between six months and two years. Its main characteristic is high fever lasting 3 to 4 days, followed by a rash as the fever subsides. The viruses responsible for roseola are Human Herpesvirus 6 and 7, but other viruses such as Enterovirus 16, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza can also cause this condition.

In this case, only symptomatic treatment is required; there is no need for antibiotics or similar medications. It is also essential to ensure that the child drinks plenty of water. If the body temperature exceeds 38.5°C, antipyretic medication should be administered. Generally, within the first 3 days of the illness, isolation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and saliva can detect viral antigens and genes, assisting in the diagnosis of roseola infantum.

(Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
44sec home-news-image

What should be paid attention to regarding breastfeeding for children with roseola?

Roseola infantum, also known as exanthem subitum, is an acute febrile infectious disease caused by human herpesvirus type 6 or type 7. The main clinical manifestation is a sudden high fever that typically resolves after 3 to 5 days, followed by a rash. The rash, usually a skin rash, dissipates after about 2 days. If the child is breastfed, breastfeeding can continue. However, since it is a viral infection causing the fever and rash, the mother should consume a light and easily digestible diet to avoid burdening the baby's gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it is beneficial for the baby to drink plenty of warm water to aid in recovery from the illness.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
41sec home-news-image

Do children with roseola need to avoid certain foods?

Roseola in infants is caused by human herpesvirus type 6 or type 7, characterized by high fever accompanied by a rash. The illness often starts with a sudden, acute fever, which can last three to five days. After the fever subsides, a rash appears, and once the rash fades, the illness generally resolves itself. During this infectious illness, dietary recommendations include light and easily digestible foods, as the baby's digestive function can decrease due to the fever. Therefore, greasy, spicy, and irritating foods should be avoided. It is advised to provide foods that are easy to digest, such as milk, porridge, noodles, vegetables, and mild fruits.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
1min 22sec home-news-image

Do infants with roseola feel itchy?

Toddler rash, also known as roseola infantum, is a common acute febrile rash skin disease in infants and young children. It is characterized by a sudden drop in body temperature after high fever for 3-5 days in infants and young children under three years of age, accompanied by the appearance of rose-red maculopapular rashes. The distinctive feature of these rashes appears concurrently with the subsidence of the fever or after the fever has subsided, mainly concentrated on the trunk, head, and neck, with fewer occurrences on the limbs. There are usually no rashes below the elbows and knees or on the palms and soles. The rash fills up within 24 hours, and starts to fade 1-2 days later without leaving any pigmentation or scaling. The rash in toddler exanthem does not cause significant itching, and does not leave pigmentation or scaling after it subsides. Therefore, during the rash period of toddler exanthem, if the child is crying and restless, it may be related to the high fever. Parents should generally avoid scratching the rash for the baby to prevent skin damage and secondary bacterial infections.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
32sec home-news-image

How to reduce fever in children with roseola

In general, infantile roseola initially presents as high fever, which is usually due to viral infection. If the fever subsides after about two days, it is similar to other common viral infections. If the fever is not very high, physical cooling methods can be used, such as sponging with warm water or taking a warm bath. Additionally, fever can be reduced with medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and it is preferable to avoid intravenous infusions for children with these medications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
50sec home-news-image

How many times does a young child get a sudden rash?

Roseola infantum is caused by human herpesvirus types 6 and 7, often manifesting as fever and sudden high fever lasting three to five days. The symptoms and signs are mild, disproportionate to the high fever, with 5%-10% of cases experiencing convulsions. On the third to fifth day of the illness, when the fever suddenly subsides, a scattered rose-colored maculopapular rash appears either simultaneously or slightly later, quickly spreading to the neck and trunk, and resolving within one to two days. This condition occurs in 90% of children under the age of two, although it is occasionally seen in older children and adolescents. Most cases are sporadic, and infection usually results in long-lasting immunity. A second occurrence of the disease is rare.