Fifth disease (also called erythema infectiosum) occurs everywhere in the world. Outbreaks tend to happen in the late winter and early spring, but there can be sporadic cases of the disease throughout the year.
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Fifth disease, got its name because it was fifth in a list of historical classifications of common skin rash illnesses in children, which includes measles (1st), scarlet fever (2nd), rubella (3rd), and Dukes' disease (4th).
An airborne virus called parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease. It’s commonly passed around in elementary schools. Fifth disease tends to spread through saliva and respiratory secretions among children who are in elementary school, it is mostly common in children between 5-14 years of age.
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This virus only infects humans; is not the same parvovirus that veterinarians may be concerned about in pets, especially dogs. Also it cannot be transmitted from man to animals and vice versa.
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Mode Of Transmission
Touching infected people or objects from infected people (such as toys) and inserting it into the mouth (occur mostly in children)
The virus spread via droplets in the air (respiratory secretions transmitted by coughs and sneezes) or by blood from other infected people.
This virus can spread from a pregnant woman to her unborn child.
The virus is most contagious a few days before the rash starts. Once the rash appears, your child can no longer pass it to anyone else.
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Signs and Symptoms of erythema infectiosum
- headache
- fatigue
- low-grade fever
- sore throat
- nausea
- mild cold-like symptoms (a stuffy or runny nose)
- rash
A bright red rash most commonly appears on the face, particularly the cheeks
Children with chronic anemia (such as sickle cell) on getting fifth disease, their condition may get worse.
Fifth disease can also be dangerous to people who are having chemotherapy treatment.
Adults who haven’t had fifth disease before can catch it, but many adults have had it as children and are immune.
Diagnosis
Doctors can make diagnosis just by looking at the skin rash. Also the doctor may test for specific antibodies that are likely face from fifth disease. This is especially the case in pregnant women or individuals with compromised immune system. The doctor may perform blood tests to see if the illness could be caused by parvovirus B19.
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Duration
The incubation period (time between infection and the display of symptoms) for fifth disease ranges from 4 to 28 days, with the average being 16 to 17 days.
The rash of fifth disease usually lasts 3 weeks at max. In a few cases in older kids and adults, joint swelling and pain because of fifth disease have lasted from several months up to a few years.
Treatment
For most healthy people, no treatment is necessary as it frequently self-limiting.
Fever and flu symptoms in children can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Patients who have joint pain or swelling may need to rest and restrict activity. They also may want to take medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen.
Prevention
- Reducing contact with people who are sneezing, coughing, or blowing their noses.
- Washing hands frequently can also help reduce the chances of contracting fifth disease.
- A person with past history of this virus, is considered immune for life.
References