A relatively mild illness, most prevalent in children from four to 12 years old, consisting of a generalized rash, usually with little or no fever; it is believed to be caused by a virus.
A common infection of childhood caused by parvovirus B19; also called erythema infectiosum. Fifth disease is an illness that produces a mild fever and a redness of the skin formed by tiny red eruptions that may vary in intensity. This gives the person with the infection a “slapped cheek” appearance that may progress from a pale rosy hue to a bright red. Eventually, a lacy, netlike pattern of color develops on the skin of the face, arms, and trunk. Fifth disease gets its name from being one of the five common childhood infections that cause fever and a rash. The others are measles, mumps, chickenpox, and rubella (German measles).
Erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease, is a prevalent respiratory infection primarily affecting children. It is caused by parvovirus B19 and is typically not severe, but it can lead to complications during fetal development.
Fifth disease, also known as slapped cheek disease or erythema infectiosum, is an infectious disease that commonly results in a widespread rash. It primarily affects children and is caused by a strain of erythrovirus. This virus spreads through airborne droplets from the coughs and sneezes of infected individuals. Additionally, although rare, it can sometimes be transmitted through a blood transfusion.
In some children, symptoms may not manifest at all. For those who do show symptoms, the rash typically appears seven to 14 days after infection. The rash of fifth disease begins as separate, raised spots with a rose-red color on the cheeks, and later these spots merge, giving the characteristic appearance of the condition. Within a few days, the rash spreads in a lacy pattern over the limbs but is less dense on the trunk. Mild fever often accompanies the rash, and in general, it clears up after approximately ten days.
Fifth disease is relatively uncommon in adults compared to children, but when adults do contract the disease, they are often more severely affected. Adults may experience joint pain and swelling that can persist for up to two years. The infection can also lead to a temporary halt in the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, known as an aplastic crisis. This can have significant implications for individuals with anemia, a condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells.
The infection is typically treated with drugs to reduce fever, as there is no specific cure for it. In the majority of cases, the condition resolves within two weeks. However, individuals at risk of anemia may require hospital treatment. It’s important to note that one episode of erythrovirus infection provides lifelong immunity, protecting individuals from subsequent infections.
A mild contagious illness commonly affecting children, marked by a rash that starts on the cheeks and forehead. The rash consists of rose-red spots with elevated borders, which fade in the middle. The condition is a hybrid between measles and scarlet fever.