MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/D96412C5/fifthdisease.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)

Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum)

What is Fifth disease?<= o:p>

Fifth dis= ease was so named because it was the fifth pink-red infectious rash to be descri= bed by doctors. 

With Fifth disease:

R= 26;    Your child has a bright= red or rosy rash on both cheeks for 1 to 3 days ("slapped cheek" appearance). 

R= 26;    The rash on the cheeks = is followed by a pink lacelike or netlike rash on the arms and legs (mainly on= the thighs and upper arms).  =

R= 26;    The "lacy" ra= sh comes and goes several times for 1 to 3 weeks. 

R= 26;    Your child has a low-gr= ade fever (less than 101°F, or 38.4°C) or no fever at all. 

What is the cause?

Fifth dis= ease is caused by a virus called human parvovirus B19. 

How long does it last? =

This is a= very mild disease with either no symptoms or a slight runny nose and sore throat.  The lacelike rash may= come and go for 5 weeks, especially after warm baths, exercise, and sun exposure.  <= /p>

How can I take care of = my child?

No treatm= ent is necessary.  This distinctive r= ash is harmless and causes no symptoms that need treatment. 

Is there a risk to preg= nant women?

Yes. If a pregnant woman is exposed to a child with Fifth disease, she should see her obstetrician.  An antibody tes= t will be done to see if the mother already had the disease and is therefore protected.  If she does not ha= ve antibodies against the disease, the pregnancy will need to be monitored closely.  Some babies develop complications if they were infected with Fifth disease before birth.  10% develop severe anemia and 2% m= ay die.  Birth defects, however, = are never a result of this virus. 

When is it most contagi= ous?

Children = will come down with the rash 10 to 14 days after they have been exposed to the virus.  The disease is contagi= ous during the week before the rash begins.&nb= sp; Therefore, exposed children should try to avoid contact with pregnant women, but that can be difficult.  Once a child has the bright red or lacy rash, he is no longer consid= ered contagious and does not need to stay home from day care or school. 

Most adul= ts who get Fifth disease develop just a mild pinkness of the cheeks or no rash at all.  Adults develop joint pai= ns, especially in the knees, more often than a rash.  These pains may last 1 to 3 months= .  Taking ibuprofen usually relieves = these symptoms.  An arthritis workup= is not necessary for joint pains that occur after exposure to Fifth disease. 

When should I call my c= hild's health care provider?

Call duri= ng office hours if:

R= 26;    Your child develops a f= ever over 102° F (38.9° C). 

R= 26;    You have other concerns= or questions.  =

Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Bo= oks.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and ed= ucate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treat= ment by a healthcare professional.