Fifth disease is also known as “erythema infectiosum”, “slapped cheek disease” and “parvovirus B19 infection”.
The name “fifth disease” derives from its historical classification as the fifth of the classical childhood skin rashes or exanthems.
It may cause a serious illness in persons with sickle-cell disease or similar types of chronic anemia. Occasionally, serious complications may develop from this infection during pregnancy.
Known causes
Fifth disease is caused by infection with human parvovirus B19. This virus infects only humans. The virus is spread mostly by droplets. This means that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus can be spread. However, once the rash is present, the person is usually no longer infectious and need not be isolated.
Identify it
Though fifth disease generally occurs in children between four to 10 years of age, it can affect any age group, including adults. It most commonly occurs during the winter and spring.
The illness classically begins with a low-grade fever and malaise — a sense of not feeling well. After about a week, this is followed by a characteristic bright red rash on the cheeks (the so called “slapped cheeks” rash). Finally, after three to four days, a fine, red, lacelike rash can develop over the rest of the body. This rash may last for five days to a week and occasionally comes and goes for up to three weeks. The other symptoms are usually gone by the time the rash appears, and patients with the rash are usually not contagious.
Prevention
There is no vaccine or medicine that prevents parvovirus B19 infection. Frequent handwashing is recommended as a practical and probably effective method to decrease the chance of becoming infected. Excluding persons with fifth disease from work, child care centres, or schools is not likely to prevent the spread of the virus, since people are contagious before they develop the rash.
Treatment
Treatment of symptoms such as fever, pain, or itching is usually all that is needed to cure fifth disease. Adults with joint pain and swelling may need to rest, restrict their activities, and take medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.
The few people who have severe anaemia caused by parvovirus B19 infection may need to be hospitalised and receive blood transfusions. Persons with immune problems may need special medical care, including treatment with immune globulin (antibodies), to help their bodies get rid of the infection.