Is Roseola Contagious Before Fever?

Roseola is contagious, meaning it can be spread from one person to another. It is spread by the fluids that are coughed or sneezed into the air. Children with roseola can only spread the infection before the fever and/or rash occur. Once your child has symptoms, they are no longer contagious.

Is roseola contagious during incubation period?

It has an incubation period (from time of exposure to the virus to symptom development) from about five to 14 days. The individual remains contagious until one or two days after the fever subsides. The roseola rash may still be present, but the child or individual is usually not contagious after the fever abates.

How does a child catch roseola?

Roseola is caused by a type of herpes virus. The virus can enter the body through the nose and mouth. It is spread when a child breathes in droplets that contain the virus after an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or laughs.