Disease: Fifth Disease

What Is Fifth Disease?

Though fifth disease is more common in children, adults can have it without any noticeable symptoms.

Often incorrectly referred to as “fifths disease,” fifth disease (also called erythema infectiosum) is an illness caused by a virus known as parvovirus B19.

The condition often leaves a blotchy, red rash on the face referred to as a “slapped cheek.”

Fifth disease got its unusual name because it was fifth on a list of historical classifications of common rashes in children.

The illness is more common in children than adults, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 20 percent of all people who get infected with fifth disease never experience any symptoms.

You can’t get it from or give it to your pets, because it’s not the same parvovirus that dogs and cats can catch.

Causes of Fifth Disease

Parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease, and the illness occurs most often in the spring and winter.

It's especially common in school-age children, but adults who haven’t had the illness as children can catch it.

Once you have the illness, you are most likely immune to getting it again.

Fifth disease is spread easily by coming into contact with saliva or mucus carrying the virus.

For instance, if an infected person coughs or sneezes near you, you could be at risk for catching it. Parvovirus B19 can also spread through blood or blood products.

Washing your hands may be the best way to avoid catching and spreading the virus.

Symptoms of Fifth Disease

Symptoms usually appear about four to 14 days after exposure to parvovirus B19.

The following are typically the first symptoms:

  • Low-grade fever
  • Headache
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Itchiness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

While the above symptoms are often mild and unnoticed, several days after initial symptoms, a blotchy, red rash on the face that looks like a “slapped cheek” usually develops.

Medical providers can often diagnose fifth disease in children just by seeing this rash.

After the face, the rash spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs, and can vary in itchiness and severity.

It tends to go away after seven to 10 days, but can come and go for several weeks.

The rash is the result of an immune system reaction that occurs after the infection has passed, so once the rash appears, you are most likely no longer contagious.

While adults don’t usually develop a rash, they may develop pain or swelling in the joints of their hands, wrists, knees, and ankles.

This usually goes away after a week or two, but can last several months.

A blood test can also determine if you were recently infected with parvovirus B19 or if you are susceptible or immune to it.

Treatment of Fifth Disease

There’s no vaccine for fifth disease, and there’s no cure for it, either. In healthy children and adults, the illness will usually go away on its own.

However, drinking plenty of fluids can be helpful, as well as relieving symptoms, such as fever, itching, and joint pain and swelling in the following ways.

Fever and flu symptoms in children: Treat with acetaminophen (Tylenol), according to your doctor’s instructions.

Itching: Use an antihistamine, according to your doctor’s instructions.

Joint pain or swelling in adults: Rest and restrict activity, and take acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if recommended by your doctor. (Do not give aspirin to children.)

Complications of Fifth Disease

While fifth disease is usually a mild illness that goes away on its own, the infection may cause complications in people with the following:

Pregnancy: The parvovirus B19 can be passed on to a baby in the uterus.

In about 5 percent of pregnant women, the baby develops severe anemia, and miscarriage or stillbirth can occur.

However, the fifth disease infection does not cause birth defects or mental retardation.

A blood transfusion to the unborn baby and medicines can be given to treat the virus.

Weak immune system: People who have weakened immune systems due to leukemia, cancer, HIV, or organ transplants may need special treatments to help fight fifth disease.

Chronic anemia: Fifth disease can cause people with sickle-cell disease or other types of chronic anemia to sometimes develop severe anemia that requires blood transfusions.

Fifth disease also has been linked to an infectious form of arthritis, as well as other diseases.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • National Institutes of Health.
  • American Academy of Family Physicians.
  • Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com

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