Fifth Disease
A viral infection that often affects red blood cells. Fifth disease is also known as “slapped cheeks disease” because of the telltale bright red rash across the cheeks. Named in 1899 as the fifth of six common childhood illnesses that cause a rash (after MEASLES, MUMPS, CHICKEN POX, and GERMAN MEASLES), it is the least well known.
Among healthy children the disease is mild; once the rash appears they are not contagious and may return to school.
Cause
This viral disease is caused by parvovirus B19, usually occurring in small outbreaks among young children in the spring. The virus itself was discovered in England in 1975, but it was not until 1983 that scientists realized it caused fifth disease.
In much the same way as a cold spreads, fifth disease is passed from one child to the next via mouth and nose secretions or from contact with contaminated objects. The virus also may travel through the air in small droplets and can be carried in the blood of infected patients, so a blood transfusion could pass on the disease.
Outbreaks occur from late winter through spring among school-age children. About 60 percent of adults have already been infected with the virus and have lifetime immunity, but adults who have never been exposed can catch the disease.
Symptoms
The illness begins with a headache, slight tiredness, or muscle pain followed in two or three days by a rash of rosy red spots on the cheeks which join to form one large red rash. Within a few days, the rash has spread over the body, buttocks, arms, and legs. There is often a mild fever in addition to the skin rash. About half the time, the rash will be itchy. Children with fifth disease appear to be contagious during the week before the rash appears; by the time the rash occurs, the person is probably beyond the contagious period.
Most babies born to mothers with the disease are normal and healthy, although the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus.
Children with sickle-cell disease do not get fifth disease. Instead, when these children are infected with the virus they develop a more serious infection called aplastic crisis in which their bone marrow stops making red blood cells.
Diagnosis
In most cases, the disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of typical symptoms. A specific blood test to confirm the diagnosis has recently become available but is not necessary in normally healthy children.
Treatment
There is no treatment for fifth disease. With bed rest, clear fluids, and acetaminophen to lower fever, the rash usually clears within 10 days. Red blood cells are given to sickle-cell patients. Fevers over 101°F should be treated; calamine lotion will ease the itch of the rash.
Complications
High-risk patients who contract fifth disease may experience chronic anemic conditions afterward. Those at high risk include anyone with sickle-cell anemia, HIV infection, or red blood cell abnormalities, who is undergoing immunosuppressive treatment for cancer, or who is an organ transplant recipient.
Prevention
As yet there is no way to control the spread of fifth disease.
Tags: affects red blood cells, common childhood illnesses that cause a rash, Fifth Disease, slapped cheeks disease, viral infection
Posted in Health and Wellness
