Roseola

This is also known as 'fourth disease' and 'three-day fever'. It is common in babies under one year old. A high fever lasts for three or four days. As the fever drops, a rose coloured, fine, flat, red spotty rash appears on the trunk. This spreads and then fades within 24 hours.

What to do

This needs no special treatment other than general measures for a fever:

• Sponge your child down gently with tepid water, all over. Allow the body heat to dry the skin rather than towelling it dry. This can be repeated as often as necessary. Although your child may protest while you are doing this, he will feel much better afterwards, and the fever can be reduced by as much as one degree centigrade
• Give regular doses of sugar-free paracetamol syrup to help reduce fever, and combat aches and pains. Calculate the dose according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or ask your pharmacist
• Keep your child as undressed as possible to allow heat to be lost
• Encourage your child to take small, frequent sips of anything he will drink (though preferably clear fluids like water or squash rather than milky drinks)