Roseola and Daycare: Fever, Rash and Return Policy

Updated November 2026.

Roseola is a common viral illness in babies and toddlers. It usually starts with 3 to 5 days of high fever, followed by a pink rash that appears after the fever goes away. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), once your child has been fever-free for 24 hours, they can go back to daycare even if the rash is still there.

Here is what roseola looks like, how long it lasts, and when to call the doctor.

What is roseola?

Roseola is caused by human herpesvirus 6, or sometimes human herpesvirus 7. It is most common in children under 2, and most children get it between about 6 months and 3 years. It spreads through saliva and respiratory droplets. Symptoms usually start about 9 to 10 days after exposure.

Signs of roseola

Sudden high fever that lasts 3 to 5 days, often with few other symptoms
Fussiness, a runny nose or mild diarrhea in some children
A rash after the fever breaks, usually 12 to 24 hours later
The rash is pink, flat or slightly raised, starts on the chest, back and belly, and may spread to the neck and arms
The rash is usually not itchy and fades in 1 to 3 days

By the time the rash appears, most children feel fine. Some children with roseola have the fever without a rash.

Is roseola contagious?

Roseola is most contagious during the fever, before the rash appears. That is why it can spread before anyone knows a child has it. Once the fever has been gone for 24 hours, the AAP says the child can return to child care, even with the rash.

Daycare and roseola

During the fever: keep your child home. Illinois daycare centers screen children daily and exclude children with fever and a change in behavior, or with a rash and a fever.
After the fever: once your child has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine, they can usually go back.
Tell the center if your doctor says it is roseola, since other children were likely exposed during the fever.

A rash with a fever needs a doctor's check before your child returns, because some serious illnesses also cause fever and rash. Read our guide to daycare fever rules.

Care at home

Offer plenty of fluids during the fever.
Dress your child in light clothing.
Ask your pediatrician about fever medicine and the right dose for your child's weight.
Never give aspirin to children.
The rash does not need treatment.

Fever seizures

A fast-rising high fever can cause a febrile seizure in some young children, and roseola is a common cause. These seizures are frightening but usually brief. If your child has a seizure, place them on their side on a safe surface, do not put anything in their mouth, and call 911 if it lasts more than 5 minutes or your child has trouble breathing. Call your pediatrician after any first seizure.

When to call the doctor

Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months
Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2
Your child seems very sick, will not drink, or has fewer wet diapers
The fever comes back after the rash appears
The rash looks purple or like bruises, or does not fade when pressed. Get emergency care.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child go to daycare with a roseola rash?

Yes, once your child has been fever-free for 24 hours. The AAP says the rash itself is not a reason to stay home.

How long does roseola last?

The fever usually lasts 3 to 5 days, and the rash fades in 1 to 3 days.

When is roseola contagious?

Mostly during the fever, before the rash appears.

Can a child get roseola twice?

Rarely. Because two viruses can cause it, some children get it more than once.

When a child gets sick at Children's Land

If a child becomes sick during the day at Children's Land, the director calls the designated adult from the Emergency Information Form, and the child rests away from the group until pickup. Learn about our infant program, find a location, or contact us.

Roseola and Daycare: Fever, Rash and Return Policy