Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)What is Fifth Disease?Fifth Disease, also known as "erythema infectiosum," is a mild, self-limited viral infection. It most commonly occurs in children, and is characterized primarily by fever and a distinctive rash, usually over the cheeks. This distinctive rash is responsible for another name occasionally used for this disease, "slapped-cheek disease."
What causes Fifth Disease?Fifth Disease is caused by human parvovirus B19, a DNA virus in the parvovirus family of viruses. This is the only virus in this family that causes disease in humans.
Who gets Fifth Disease?Parvovirus B19 predominantly infects school children. Children generally acquire an infection during the school months, until May and June. Epidemics occur approximately every six years, and last approximately three years.
How does parvovirus B-19 cause disease?Parvovirus B19 is transmitted from person-to-person by direct contact or by contaminated secretions of the nose and the mouth. Parvovirus B19 infects the lining of the nose and the upper respiratory tract. Then, it is spread through the blood throughout the body, which causes the rash. The virus also infects the bone marrow cells that are responsible for producing new red blood cells. This particular characteristic may result in complications in those persons who have an underlying anemia or other blood disorder.
What are the common findings?Fifth Disease can be divided into four phases: 1) the incubation phase, 2) the prodromal phase, 3) the rash phase, and 4) the recovery phase. The incubation phase typically lasts 8 to 12 days after exposure to the virus and does not have any symptoms. During the prodromal phase, the symptoms are mild and include a headache, a low-grade fever, fatigue, and a sore throat. These symptoms usually last for a few days and then resolve. The rash that develops produces an intense rose-red color on both cheeks that does not involve the area around the mouth. This rash is often referred to as the "slapped cheek" rash because of its appearance. The rash usually lasts one to four days and then fades. On other parts of the body, a less prominent rash can occur at the same time or within one to two days. The chest, arms, and legs can develop a flat red rash that has a lace-like appearance.
How is Fifth Disease diagnosed?The infection is usually diagnosed by the characteristic appearance of the rash in a child with a fever and no other symptoms. A blood test is available to confirm the infection; however, it usually is not necessary.
How is Fifth Disease treated?Specific treatment for Fifth Disease is not available. Antibiotics are not helpful because a virus causes Fifth Disease. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics. Fever and pain should be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The disease is usually mild with complete recovery.
What are the complications?Children who have underlying anemia are at risk for developing worse anemia with the parvovirus B19 infection. The virus infects the blood cells that produce red blood cells and causes a temporary decrease in the production of red blood cells. Some children require one or, occasionally, more transfusions. Usually, there is recovery within one to two weeks, with a return to normal blood counts within three to four weeks.
How can Fifth Disease be prevented?A vaccine is not available for the human parvovirus B19 infection. Because of the widespread nature of the virus, there is no way to eliminate the risk of exposure. Healthy children with Fifth Disease can attend day care or school because they are most contagious before the rash, and are unlikely to be contagious after the onset of the rash.
What research is being done?Substantial research is currently being performed to develop a vaccine to prevent the human parvovirus B19 infection. If proved to be safe and effective, a vaccine could be administered to children early in life to prevent infection during childhood. The vaccine also could be administered during pregnancy to prevent the occasional fetal death that occurs from the parvovirus B19 infection.
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