One of the things I really take for granted is the super mild and agreeable temper of my baby girl, Lauren. It takes just a few days of her extreme crankiness and irritability to get me down on my knees and thank God for blessing me with the sweetest baby ever. So when Lauren was down with Roseola, I knew never to take her for granted again![space]
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Roseola Symptoms – What You Can Expect
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See, the last week had us up every hour after 12 midnight, soothing and calming down an irate feverish goblin, that kicked, scratched and headbutt us each time she jolted from her slumber.[space]
When she was awake, she’d want nobody, nobody but me. If anyone dared or attempted to take her away from me, she’d be so enraged she’d tear down the house with the sheer power of her screams. Our neighbours came by to see if we were torturing her.[space]
And since it’s the 7th month, Ghost Festival, I even wondered if she saw things she shouldn’t have and got spooked. I sang prayer hymns and she screamed even louder.[space]
High Fever of 40.1 Degrees Celcius
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On Thursday night, she hit 40.1 degrees celcius, and her arms and legs had mottling which totally freaked me out so we rushed her to KKH children’s ER. They did a blood test and it turned out it was a viral infection. No idea what exact virus caused it though, it was too early to tell.[space]
Treatment? Sorry No Treatment
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Verdict? No cure, just let her battle it out, we were told.[space]
So after 4 days of high fever where paracetemol was totally useless, her fever miraculously went away. And on the 5th day, a rash appeared all of a sudden. Ah hah![space]
Rash Appears After Fever Breaks
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This is the demon of a virus that transformed my lovely sweet cheeks into the frenzied, incensed terror that had us totally clueless what to do. The only thing that worked to calm her down, was for ME to carry her and bounce on the gym ball until she dozed off.[space]
If I so much as move her, she’d arch her back, wince and let out her war cry so shrill it’d pierce through our hearts and make us bleed through our eyes.[space]
She refused to eat more than a morsel and only wanted to breastfeed non-stop. Looking back, she hardly walked the entire 4 days cos she had to be carried 24/7 and had her face buried deep into my boobs.[space]
So yep. For more than half a week, I couldn’t brush my teeth, eat breakfast, take a shower or function as a human being because I had a berserker baby on the loose, strapped to me.[space]
The consolation? Babies usually only get Roseola once. Usually is the key word.[space]
In any case, when Lauren grows up, I’d get her to nickname her enemies Roseola.[space]
Update 02 OCT 2017 – Joshie Becomes a Cranky Baby
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It happened again! ARGH! Not to Lauren but to Joshie![space]
This time, it was the classic case of Roseola. Joshie was a chirpy bird by day, and without any warning, transformed into destroyer-of-peace by evening time. There were no telltale signs at all, and after dinner, he was sporting a 40+ fever. Yup. No other symptoms apart from the obscenely high fever and an inconsolable meltdown.[space]
Joshie’s fever spiked so high during the nights, I felt as though I was sleeping next to a furnace. Sigh. And similar to what happened to Lauren, Joshie jolted every 15 minutes while sleeping. Not sure why, but it seems like the Roseola fever has the tendency to cause kids to jolt in their sleep, and cause them to be livid about it.[space]
After enduring 3 full days of whining and whining and non-stop whining, his fever suddenly broke. And then, his whole body was covered in rashes. I didn’t get any photos of Lauren’s roseola rash the last time, so here’s Joshie taking one for the team. And for the record,[space]
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95 Comments
Camille
I’m so glad I found this posting!
My usually happy (and super busy!) little guy has been reduced to a cranky, clingy, exhausted, burning-up baby over the last 4 days! His fever started Christmas morning (yay!) and led us to our local Children’s Hospital ER when it climbed up to 40C on Saturday! They swabbed him for COVID which was, thankfully, negative and we were told it was probably just a viral URI and to manage symptoms. He’s hardly eaten a bite, and then suddenly this morning, the fever was gone and it left a rash in its place! I sent pictures to his ped, who says its not roseola, but some other viral exanthem.. . the lack of definitive answer stressed me out more! But, stumbling across the picture of your little one’s rash immediately brought me some relief because its almost like I’m looking at a picture of my son’s rash! I’m hoping the end of this Roseola monster is near and my happy monster will be terrorizing the house once more! 😂
Jolene Liow
Glad to hear, I’m sure he’s back to normal!
Crystal
THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS!!!! All of my confusion and frustration with this virus is now validated upon finding your article. Exact same experience and was curious how long this madness would continue. So glad it happens once!
Jolene Liow
Haha, glad it helped!
Ellen
Came across this article looking to see if other parents have issues with sleeplessness and roseola. Our daughters fever broke on Friday, but since Sunday night she has REFUSED to sleep unless she’s being held. My husband and I are beyond exhausted and don’t know if it is still related to the roseola. Did anyone else have the sleepless issue as the rash was fading. Her rash is virtually gone but still having horrible nights
Jolene Liow
Hope it gets better soon, otherwise do see the doctor!
Rach
Ellen,
Same. My daughter got her fever Saturday. It’s gone now, just the rash remains. She is tossing and turning and awake every 10-15 mins and will not sleep at all unless on me. I am exhausted.
Jolene Liow
Hugs, hang in there! It’d be over soon!
Ashley Telles
Dealing with this now! My daughter jolts in her sleep every 10 or 15 minutes resulting in crying and will NOT sleep. Tosses, turns, jolts, throws herself every which way… It is horrible! How long did this last for you?
Jolene Liow
Hi Ashley, sorry for the late reply. It lasted about 4-5 days, the period of the fever.
Ashley Lucia
I am reading this as my 8 month old is on day 5 of roseola. Fever broke on day 4 (which was relatively speaking a good day and night), then this morning the rash appeared after a horrid and sleepless night of her jolting awake and being totally inconsolable. Same went with naps today and so far tonight same thing. She’s been a dream baby, so sweet and an excellent sleeper before this horrible virus. We are beyond exhausted and worried. When did sleep finally get better?
Jolene Liow
Sleep gets better after a couple of days. Hope all is well now!
Aubrie
Reading this truly was such a sign of relief. We had no clue this was a symptom of Roseola and I’ve been in fear that our son is in pain because the screams and thrashing are like nothing I’ve heard from him. Do you know if the rash is causing pain? We feel bad for bugging our doctor again because we took him in twice now because we have never seen this before with our other two children. How many nights/days did the screaming last for you?
Jolene Liow
Hi Aubrie, sorry to hear this! It lasted for as long as the fever. =) But I’m sure your doctor wouldn’t mind you bringing him in again, especially if you’re concerned!
Sara
Oh my god. This! My two year old has been a demon child writhing around on the floor, yelling, pushing dad away and only allowing me to comfort her. I thought it was teething… but the rash has my pediatrician confirm that he really thinks it’s roseola and there is a large spectrum of how a child might behave with it… I’ve just been feeling so scared that it could be something worse. Still feels unclear where she’s feeling pain or discomfort to the point of screaming and yelling for two hour increments.
Jolene Liow
She’s fine, don’t worry!
Brandon Morris
Please help! I believe I have a 2 yo little girl with roseola. Obvious fever 3 days then disappear and is replaced with rash’, however she is still VERY irritable and freaks out over the smallest things!!! Is this normal for her to still behave this terribly with no fever and just have the rash? (3 days no fever, but still has some rash and mean as the devil especially late afternoon)???? Worried it could be something else? We, both parents, got Covid. Testing and was negative.
Jolene Liow
Hope it gets better soon, otherwise do see the doctor!
Lucero
Wow, thanks for this article. My 15 month old baby has these exact symptoms. She finally broke her high fever. Now on day 2 of rash, but like some of the other moms mentioned she is still very irritable, she won’t go with anyone but me. She cries a lot like she is in pain. But when I carry her she stops. I’m guessing her body is just very tired from the virus.
Jolene Liow
Sorry for the late reply! Hope all is well now!
Mallory
Destroyer-of-peace lol so accurate! Came across your post whilst simultaneously googling “nighttime fussiness with Roseola” and comforting my thrashing 10 month old. Relieved to hear it’s normal. Currently contorted into a lump in a recliner while she is finally snoring in my arms, praying for sleep and a chiropractor.
Jolene Liow
Hi Mallory! Hugs and yes, a chiropractor is definitely needed!
Johanna
I just found out today that my 1 year old son, Phoenix, has this. He has been teething and drooling. Fevers for 2 days, Fri-Sat. He was still eating but struggle. Sunday morning fever broke. He woke up 3 times last night for feedings. This morning woke up late, appetite was the usual. Went down for his 1st nap and upon waking a mysterious rash. It started on his face and spread all over his face, ears, neck, stomach and back. I was relieved to know it was this and not measles. Nothing but TLC for my baby boy right now. Thats all you can do. Your pictures look exactly the same. I had to take pictures and send them to his pediatrician. I am still keeping an eye on his symptoms. Thank you for sharing this was very helpful and put me at ease.
Jolene Liow
Thanks for sharing! Hope everything is well!