Roseola (Sixth Disease):
A parent's guide for infants and babies

Roseola (roseola infantum) is a mild illness caused by a virus found in the herpes family that will typically resolve on its own without any medications or other treatments. It is also called exanthema subitum or sixth disease. Children who are affected may have 3–5 days of a high fever (average temperature of 103 F), and when the fever suddenly breaks, they develop a rash all over their body. Seizures may occur during this period of high temperatures. The rash of roseola appears as small slightly raised, pink bumps that usually begin on the chest and spread to the face and arms and legs. After 1–3 days, the rash fades.