Erythema infectiosum is an infection that causes a rash, fever, and other symptoms. It is caused by a virus called “human parvovirus.” Another name for erythema infectiosum is “fifth disease.”
Fifth disease is common in children. Adults can also get it. If a pregnant woman gets fifth disease, it can be dangerous for her unborn baby.
Many people with fifth disease have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Most people feel better in a few weeks.
When symptoms do occur, they can include general symptoms that come long with ALL viral infections:
●Fever,headache, joint aches (These are more common in adults who get fifth disease. Children do not get them as often).
The first symptoms last 2 to 5 days. After that, symptoms can include:
●Rash on the face – Often called a “slapped cheek” rash, this rash makes a child’s cheek looks bright red, as if someone just slapped it .
●Rash on the chest, back, arms, and legs – This usually shows up after the face rash. The rash makes a pattern that looks like lace .
●Joint pain – Usually in hands, wrists, knees, and feet.
Children often feel better by the time they get a rash. Sometimes, the rash comes back after it goes away. Sunlight, temperature changes, exercise, or stress can make it come back.
It is important to understand that the same virus may produce different symptoms according to the patient, so these symptoms are what we ususally see. BUT, we may have the virus and have no symptoms at all.
Some persons with certain medical conditions can get very sick with fifth disease:
- imunosupressed patients (people with HIV or who take imunosupressant drugs)- Patients who have certain conditions that affect red blood cells, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia.
- Pregnant women can have serious issues with their babies if they are sick during prenancy
A doctor or nurse can usually tell if someone has it by learning about the symptoms and doing an exam. If there is any doubt, he or she can order a blood test for the virus that causes fifth disease.
If you are pregnant and have symptoms of fifth disease, or are around someone who has it, tell your doctor or nurse right away. He or she can order a blood test to see if you have the infection. Your doctor or nurse can also do tests to see if your unborn baby has the infection.
TRANSMISSION
Patients with parvovirus B19 infection are most contagious during the phase of active viral replication and viral shedding. Viremia occurs approximately 5 to 10 days after exposure and usually lasts approximately 5 days, During this phase, patients can be asymptomatic or present with non-specific flu-like illness, and patients with underlying hematologic abnormalities can suffer severe anemia.
Subsequently, immunocompetent patients may present with specific symptoms or signs (eg, joint pain and/or a rash) of parvovirus B19 infection. Individuals are no longer infectious when exhibiting these clinical characteristics.
TREATMENT
Most people with fifth disease get better without treatment. If your child has itching or joint pain, the doctor or nurse might recommend medicine to help your child feel better. For example, the doctor might recommend IBUPROFEN (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) to treat pain.
So far, doctors do not have a good medicine to treat the virus that causes fifth disease. Antibiotics DO NOT WORK on fifth disease.
PREVENTION
You can lower your chances of getting fifth disease by:
●Washing your hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol hand rub. Teach your children to do the same.
●Not sharing food and drinks with other people.
PREGNANT WOMEN
If you are pregnant and were around someone with the virus that causes fifth disease, ask your doctor or nurse about your risk of infection.
Fifth disease is common in children. Adults can also get it. If a pregnant woman gets fifth disease, it can be dangerous for her unborn baby.
Many people with fifth disease have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Most people feel better in a few weeks.
When symptoms do occur, they can include general symptoms that come long with ALL viral infections:
●Fever,headache, joint aches (These are more common in adults who get fifth disease. Children do not get them as often).
The first symptoms last 2 to 5 days. After that, symptoms can include:
●Rash on the face – Often called a “slapped cheek” rash, this rash makes a child’s cheek looks bright red, as if someone just slapped it .
●Rash on the chest, back, arms, and legs – This usually shows up after the face rash. The rash makes a pattern that looks like lace .
●Joint pain – Usually in hands, wrists, knees, and feet.
Children often feel better by the time they get a rash. Sometimes, the rash comes back after it goes away. Sunlight, temperature changes, exercise, or stress can make it come back.
It is important to understand that the same virus may produce different symptoms according to the patient, so these symptoms are what we ususally see. BUT, we may have the virus and have no symptoms at all.
Some persons with certain medical conditions can get very sick with fifth disease:
- imunosupressed patients (people with HIV or who take imunosupressant drugs)- Patients who have certain conditions that affect red blood cells, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia.
- Pregnant women can have serious issues with their babies if they are sick during prenancy
A doctor or nurse can usually tell if someone has it by learning about the symptoms and doing an exam. If there is any doubt, he or she can order a blood test for the virus that causes fifth disease.
If you are pregnant and have symptoms of fifth disease, or are around someone who has it, tell your doctor or nurse right away. He or she can order a blood test to see if you have the infection. Your doctor or nurse can also do tests to see if your unborn baby has the infection.
TRANSMISSION
Patients with parvovirus B19 infection are most contagious during the phase of active viral replication and viral shedding. Viremia occurs approximately 5 to 10 days after exposure and usually lasts approximately 5 days, During this phase, patients can be asymptomatic or present with non-specific flu-like illness, and patients with underlying hematologic abnormalities can suffer severe anemia.
Subsequently, immunocompetent patients may present with specific symptoms or signs (eg, joint pain and/or a rash) of parvovirus B19 infection. Individuals are no longer infectious when exhibiting these clinical characteristics.
TREATMENT
Most people with fifth disease get better without treatment. If your child has itching or joint pain, the doctor or nurse might recommend medicine to help your child feel better. For example, the doctor might recommend IBUPROFEN (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) to treat pain.
So far, doctors do not have a good medicine to treat the virus that causes fifth disease. Antibiotics DO NOT WORK on fifth disease.
PREVENTION
You can lower your chances of getting fifth disease by:
●Washing your hands often with soap and water, or using an alcohol hand rub. Teach your children to do the same.
●Not sharing food and drinks with other people.
PREGNANT WOMEN
If you are pregnant and were around someone with the virus that causes fifth disease, ask your doctor or nurse about your risk of infection.
