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74
 
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
ROSEOLA (Exanthema Subitum) 
 
Roseola is the most common viral rash illness that 
occurs in young children.  It is sometimes referred 
to as Sixth Disease or, less commonly, “baby 
measles”.  Roseola is caused by a virus called 
human herpesvirus 6 (HHV -6) an d, possibly, 
human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). 
 
Who gets this disease? 
Roseola usually occurs in children aged 6 months 
to 2 years of age.  It is uncommon for the disease 
to occur in children under the age of 3 months or 
over the age of 4 years.  There is no known risk to 
pregnant women.  Cases are not seasonal and 
usually occur throughout the year. 
 
How is Roseola spread? 
Humans are the only known source for roseola.  It 
is not known how the disease is spread or what 
the infectious period is.  It is not conside red to be 
very infectious. 
 
How soon do symptoms appear? 
Symptoms usually begin 4- 10 days after 
exposure. 
 
What are the symptoms? 
Roseola usually begins with a high fever that lasts 
3 to 5 days followed by a rash that lasts 1- 2 days.  
When the fever disappears, a rash appears, usually 
on the face and body.  Irritability, runny nose, 
eyelid swelling and tiredness are sometimes 
present during the time of the fever.  Most 
children, however, are alert and playful during 
this time. 
 
How is it diagnosed and treated? 
While Roseola can be diagnosed through 
laboratory conformation, a healthcare provider 
typically diagnoses the disease based on the 
symptoms.  A rash occurring immediately after 
the fever breaks is characteristic of the disease.  
The healthcare provider  may recommend 
supportive treatment of symptoms but there is no 
treatment that is specific for roseola. 
 
How can the spread of this disease be 
prevented?
 
There is no vaccine to prevent this disease, but  
good hand washing can help prevent the spread.   
 
Who should be excluded? 
Generally, a child with a rash and fever should be 
excluded from childcare until seen by a healthcare 
provider.  A child with a rash and no fever may 
return to childcare.  There are no 
recommendations for preventive therapy for other 
children attending the childcare or for childcare 
personnel. 
 
Reportable? 
No.  Roseola is not reportable by New Hampshire 
state law to the Division of Public Health 
Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.  
However, Public Health Professionals are 
available for consultation at (603) 271-4496.