FIFTH DISEASE (PARVOVIRUS INFECTION)

Overview and Facts

Parvovirus infection, otherwise known as fifth disease, is a common viral disease and a highly contagious childhood illness. Sometimes called the slapped-cheek disease for its distinguishable face rash, it is also called erythema infectiosum as it is caused by parvovirus B19.

This is an illness where most kids recover from without any further complications; however, fifth disease can cause joint swelling and pain for older kids and adults that can last from weeks to months. In some cases, it can last for years.

Fifth disease infection is mild in most children and needs little treatment. If a pregnant woman is affected by the fifth disease, it can be severe and may lead to severe health problems for the fetus.

If people with a compromised immune system or any anemia are infected, this case could be severe.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Usually, people with fifth disease infection show no signs and symptoms. However, depending on the age of the patient when they get the disease, warnings, and symptoms will significantly vary.

Parvovirus symptoms in children

Early signs and symptoms of fifth disease infection in children may resemble that of flu; these include:

Runny nose
Headache
Fever
Upset stomach

All these symptoms will pass and seem to be gone, and after a few days later, a rash appears on the cheeks first, most likely for children below ten years old.

The rash tends to clear up on one area of the body and eventually re-appear on the arms, trunk, thighs, and buttocks within a few days. The rash may be itchy and has a pinkish, thin, slightly raised surface.

Distinguishable Facial Rash

Following the presence of early symptoms, a characteristic bright red rash may emerge several days later on both on your child’s cheeks.

Usually, the time you see the rash that has been last for weeks, it would no longer be contagious as the rash only occurs near the end of the disease.

Parvovirus symptoms in adults

Adults with fifth disease infection do not usually show the slapped-cheek rash. Instead, adults develop joint pains. The most noticeable fifth disease in adults is the soreness of joints that may last for several weeks that commonly affects joints in your ankles, knees, wrist, and hands

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

About half of the adults are immune due to unnoticed childhood infection to fifth disease, and no treatment is necessary for the healthiest people.

People infected with parvovirus infection usually are diagnosed by doctors by just looking at the rash, and people who are at risk of severe cases might undergo blood testing or test you for specific antibodies.

TREATMENT

Self-care treatment is usually sufficient for fifth disease infection.

You may be advised to take over-the-counter medications like paracetamol if you have joint pains, fever, or headache to relieve these symptoms. Otherwise, you need to wait for one to three weeks for your body to fight off the virus.

People with severe anemia and those who have weakened immune systems will have antibodies administered through intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

FIFTH DISEASE (PARVOVIRUS INFECTION)

Overview and Facts

Types and Symptoms

Diagnosis & Medications

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