Have you ever noticed that sometimes young children's cheeks suddenly turn very red, as if someone has hit them hard? Some parents get a little scared when they see this, thinking, "Oh, what happened to my child?" But most of the time, this is caused by a condition called Fifth Disease, which we are going to talk about today. This is not that serious, but it is very important to be aware of.
What is Fifth Disease? Simply put...
Fifth Disease is a viral condition that is common in young children. Medically, it is called `Erythema infectiosum`. But the most distinctive sign of this is that the child's cheeks turn very red like a spot. Some people also call it ``slapped cheek disease`` because it looks like someone has slapped them on the cheek. Imagine, who wouldn't be scared if they suddenly saw their little one's cheeks turn as red as two tomatoes, right?
This is caused by a virus called `Parvovirus B19`. This is a very common virus and can be easily spread from person to person. When someone with this virus coughs or sneezes, it can spread to others.
But the good news is that in most cases, fifth disease is not a serious condition. In most cases, it gets better in a few days, without any special treatment.
Why is this called the "Fifth Disease"?
Now you might be wondering why it's called 'fifth disease', right? There's a little story behind it. In the past, doctors listed six types of viral diseases that affected children, causing skin rashes. This disease was fifth on that list. That's why it got the name "Fifth Disease." It's worth remembering the other diseases too:
- Measles
- Scarlet fever
- Rubella (also called German measles)
- Dukes' disease
- Erythema infectiosum (this is the fifth disease)
- Roseola
How common is this so-called fifth disease?
Fifth disease is one of the six most common viral diseases in children. It most often affects children between the ages of 5 and 15. It is especially common during the spring and summer (which is usually the dry season in our country, the first and middle of the year). It can easily spread during these times, when children gather together in schools, Sunday schools, and playgrounds.
Do adults get fifth disease too?
Adults are less likely to get fifth disease. This is because when we are exposed to the virus as children, our immune system builds up a defense against it. This means that if you have had fifth disease as a child, you are less likely to get it again as an adult. Many adults have had it as children, so they have immunity to it.
What are the symptoms of Fifth Disease?
This `Parvovirus B19` infection initially starts with symptoms similar to a common cold or flu. These symptoms are usually not very severe. But the most important thing is that the virus is most contagious during these flu-like symptoms. The symptoms that appear during this period are:
- Feeling very tired (Fatigue)
- Headaches
- Body pain, muscle aches (Achiness)
- Low-grade fever (about 37°C to 38.5°C Celsius, or about 99°F to 101°F Fahrenheit)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat, sore throat
Just think, about 20% of children may not show any of these early symptoms. But they still have the ability to spread the virus to others.
The red spot on the cheeks comes after...
A few days after the onset of the flu-like symptoms, the main symptom of Fifth Disease, a red, slightly raised rash, appears on the cheeks. This rash can sometimes be itchy. The best part is that by the time the rash appears, the previous flu-like symptoms have disappeared.
Can spots appear on other parts of the body?
Yes, some children may see a second rash on other parts of their body after the cheeks turn red. This usually looks like a lace pattern. These spots can appear in these places:
- Arms
- Legs
- Trunk - chest and back
- Buttocks
About 10% of children who develop fifth disease may experience joint pain and swelling.
What are the symptoms of fifth disease in adults?
When adults are infected with Parvovirus B19, they often develop symptoms similar to those of the flu, but the spots on their cheeks do not appear. Along with those symptoms, about 80% of adults experience pain in their joints, such as the wrists, hands, and knees.
What causes Fifth Disease?
The cause of this is a virus called `Human Parvovirus`. It is also called `Parvovirus B19`. This is different from the parvovirus that affects dogs and cats. So don't be afraid of catching it from a dog or a cat. The fifth disease rash appears between 4 and 14 days after a child is infected with `Parvovirus B19`.
Is Fifth Disease contagious?
Yes, Parvovirus B19 is a highly contagious virus. It is mainly spread through respiratory droplets from the mouth and nose. This means that if someone with the virus talks, coughs, or sneezes near your child, your child can get the virus through those droplets.
In rare cases, it can also be transmitted from a pregnant mother to her unborn child through blood.
But remember this: The red spot on the cheeks called Fifth Disease is not contagious. In fact, after being infected with `Parvovirus B19` and getting that red spot, the virus cannot be transmitted from that person to another person. That is, after the spot appears, the child will not spread the disease to other people.
Can Fifth Disease cause complications?
Fifth disease rarely causes complications in healthy children and adults, meaning that most people just get over it and get better.
However, this can cause problems for people with a blood disorder or a weakened immune system. This is because the virus can affect the way the body makes red blood cells. If this happens, the child's red blood cell count may drop significantly, and a blood transfusion may even be necessary.
Who are at particular risk?
Children (and adults) with the following conditions are at higher risk of complications:
- Cancer conditions, for example leukemia
- HIV infection
- Certain types of anemia, for example sickle cell anemia and thalassemia
- People who have had a transplanted organ
If your child has an underlying medical condition like this, it is very important to notify a doctor as soon as the fifth disease rash appears or as soon as the fever-like symptoms that precede it begin.
Possible complications in adults
About 10% of adults infected with parvovirus B19 develop a condition called chronic parvovirus-associated arthritis, which is a persistent arthritis of several joints (polyarthritis). This complication is more common in women than in men.
What if I develop Fifth Disease during pregnancy?
This is a concern for many mothers. If you get fifth disease (a.k.a. parvovirus B19 infection) during pregnancy, you can pass it on to your baby. If that happens, some complications may occur, such as:
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth / intrauterine fetal demise
- Hydrops fetalis (This is the accumulation of too much fluid, like water, in the baby's tissues and organs. This is a serious condition)
However, these complications are rare. Most adults and pregnant women are protected from parvovirus B19 infection as children. If the infection occurs during pregnancy, the risk of harm to the fetus is about 2%. The highest risk of complications from parvovirus B19 is during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, complications can occur at any time during pregnancy.
Therefore, if you are pregnant and think you may have been exposed to someone with Fifth Disease, it is best to see your doctor immediately for advice.
How is this Fifth Disease diagnosed?
Doctors usually diagnose this by looking at your child's symptoms. The "slapped cheek" rash is one of the main signs of the condition. If it's accompanied by symptoms like a fever, a doctor can usually diagnose fifth disease in the office without any further testing. Very rarely, blood tests are needed to confirm fifth disease.
What are the treatments for Fifth Disease?
Fifth disease symptoms usually get better within a few weeks without any special treatment, or with very little treatment. Your child's doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to help reduce fever, headache, and joint pain. Examples include:
- `Acetaminophen` (also known as paracetamol)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
When giving this medicine, it is important to follow the exact dosage prescribed by the doctor.
If your child has a weak immune system and develops fifth disease, he or she may need to be hospitalized for treatment.
Can Fifth Disease be prevented?
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent fifth disease. Since the virus is easily spread through droplets from the nose and mouth, good hygiene is the best way to prevent it. You can do the following to reduce the risk of your family getting the infection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately after use.
- Avoid close contact with someone who is infected.
These habits protect us not only from the Fifth Disease, but also from many other illnesses.
How long does Fifth Disease last?
The Fifth Disease rash should fade within 5 to 10 days after it appears.
If your child develops a second rash (the one that looks like a lace pattern), it should go away in 7 to 10 days. However, sometimes, this second rash can come and go for several weeks. The rash can recur after sun exposure, heat, or exercise.
When can I send my child back to school?
Your child is most likely to spread the virus to others when they have flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches). So, it's best to keep your child home during those days. However, once the fifth disease rash (red cheeks) appears, your child is no longer contagious. So, if you think your child is feeling better, you can send them to school or daycare after the rash appears.
When should you see a doctor?
If you think you or your child may have fifth disease, or if you think you may have been exposed to the virus, see a doctor. It's especially important to see a doctor if you or your child have any of the following:
- Severe joint pain
- An itchy rash
- If you are pregnant `(A pregnancy)`
- If the immune system is weak `(A weakened immune system)`
- If you have a blood disorder (e.g., sickle cell anemia, thalassemia)
What questions should you ask the doctor?
If your child has fifth disease, you can ask the doctor questions like these:
- How long can we spread the disease to others?
- How long should I keep my child home from school?
- How long should I stay home from work (if I am an adult)?
- What can I do to prevent this from spreading to other family members?
- What can I do to get some relief from this situation for myself or my child?
- What can you do to relieve itchy spots and joint pain?
- Should I inform my child's school (or my workplace) about this infection?
- How long will this stain last? Can it come back?
- What signs of complications should I look out for?
While the distinctive red spot of fifth disease may look a little scary, remember that it is a temporary condition that usually resolves within a few days, without any major treatment. However, it is important to understand that fifth disease is highly contagious. If anyone in your family has these symptoms, talk to a doctor. You may need to keep the family member away from others for a few days to stop the virus from spreading.
Take-Home Message
Okay, so let's recap the most important points from what we've talked about:
- Fifth Disease is a viral infection that is common in young children. The main symptom is red cheeks.
- This is contagious during the initial period when there are flu-like symptoms. It is not contagious after the rash appears on the cheeks.
- Most of the time this is not serious, it just gets better.
- Cleanliness is the best way to prevent it. There is no vaccine.
- Pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and those with blood disorders should be especially careful. These people should see a doctor immediately.
- If in doubt, don't be afraid to seek advice from a doctor.
Wishing you and your family good health!
` Fifth disease, Parvovirus B19, slapped cheek disease, childhood diseases, skin spots, infectious diseases, red cheeks
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